Commencement Information
Congratulations to our 2024 Graduates
Graduation and Commencement
Students often inquire about the difference between graduation or the conferral of a degree and participating in the commencement ceremony. Graduation is sometimes used interchangeably with the conferral of a degree. Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements and is noted on the student’s official transcript. Commencement is the ceremony held by the University to celebrate the student’s completion of their degree. Attending commencement does not insinuate that students have officially completed all degree requirements.
To be eligible for graduation, the following must be met:
- Complete the minimum credit hours required for the degree
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate programs.
- Meet the residency requirements.
- Refer the University Catalog for more information regarding Graduation Requirements.
Academic Honors
Recognition is rarely in short supply at USU. Faculty frequently congratulate those who achieve great things in the classroom, and students often congratulate each other on their success. Each year, however, USU recognizes a select group of individuals who earn outstanding grades in their studies. Students who demonstrate exceptionally high academic scores are eligible for academic honors. Academic honors are posted to the final transcript when the student’s degree is conferred. These honors include:
Undergraduate Students
Summa Cum Laude graduates hold a GPA of 3.80-4.00
Magna Cum Laude graduates hold a GPA of 3.65-3.79
Cum Laude graduates hold a GPA of 3.50-3.64
Graduate Students
Graduate students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 or above will be recognized and awarded the status of “With Distinction.”
Application for Graduation
Students within 12 credits of completing their undergraduate program, 6 credits for graduate (including post-baccalaureate and post-master’s certificate) program, may file an Application for Graduation. Students in doctoral programs must have completed all academic requirements, including the final defense or presentation, to apply for graduation. The Office of the Registrar will use the application to complete a degree audit to ensure students meet graduation requirements. The Application for Graduation is also used to confer and issue degrees. Students should not plan to attend commencement until they receive confirmation from the Registrar’s Office.
Complete your Graduation Application by using the following link: Graduation Application. This application is not the same for commencement ceremony.
The formal commencement ceremony is held once a year on a date and location announced by the University. Degree and certificate candidates who have completed all graduation requirements since the previous commencement ceremony are eligible to participate. Undergraduate and graduate degree/certificate candidates who will be completed with their program requirements for graduation on the date of commencement will also be invited to participate in the ceremony. Students enrolled in doctoral programs must have completed all academic requirements including the final defense or presentation to apply to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Location:
San Diego Convention Center
111 W. Harbor Drive,
San Diego, CA 92101
Date: Friday, September 19th, 2025
Eligible students will be notified via USU email by April 1, 2025, to complete the RSVP for commencement. If you believe you may be eligible and did not receive the notice, please contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@usuniversity.edu. The deadline to RSVP is May 9, 2025.
Please be advised that RSVP is to help the university obtain a student count of expected attendees, but it does not confirm your eligibility to participate in the commencement ceremony. The Registrar's Office will complete a degree audit to confirm your eligibility to participate at the commencement ceremony after the RSVP deadline. Events that could impact your eligibility are course failures, leave of absence, not maintaining continuous enrollment, etc.
Attendance for the commencement ceremony may be limited. Information about the number of guests will be sent to students via USU email. Please continue to monitor this page for the most current details and safety measures regarding Commencement.
Josten’s USU store is currently OPEN.
You can visit the store here: http://www.jostens.com/graduation/college/index or call Jostens Customer Care at (800) 854-7464, Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm central time.
The deadline to order regalia is August 5th, 2025. We advise all students to order before the deadline to avoid delivery issues.
Students participating at commencement and graduating with Honors will be provided with Honor Cords during check-in. Please note that honor cords are not mailed to the students.
United States University will be inviting graduating students to apply for our student commencement speaker to address the graduating class of 2025 at the Commencement Ceremony.
A student speaker will have the honor to be selected by the Student Commencement Speaker Committee to convey a message of inspiration, common experiences, and insights, as well as inspire fellow graduates.
If interested, please review the eligibility criteria below and contact David Noriega at dnoriega@usuniversity.edu to obtain and complete the Student Speaker Application.
Eligibility
To be eligible to address the graduating class of 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be eligible for graduation.
- Be in good academic standing (high Cumulative GPA, no disciplinary action or academic progress warning/probation).
- Commit to attend and participate the commencement ceremony.
The selected applicant chosen by the committee may receive assistance from the college deans with refining their speech, if needed.