The Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony is the only USC Dornsife event exclusively for Ph.D. recipients. Ph.D. candidates who defended in December 2012 or who will defend in May or August 2013 are eligible to participate. Participation in the ceremony is subject to the dissertation chair's approval. Participation in the hooding ceremony does not confirm your graduation.

The event will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013 on Howard Jones Field from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Line-up begins at 9:00 a.m. In order to participate in the ceremony, candidates must register online.

During the ceremony, the candidate's dissertation committee chair will present the hood, a symbol of the Ph.D. degree, to the student. If the dissertation chair is unable to attend, then the Dean or the dean's designee will present the hood to the student.

The online registration form can be found by using this link beginning Friday, February 1, 2013 at noon (12:00 p.m.) and will close Friday, March 1, 2013 at noon.

Ph.D. Ceremony Information

• Ph.D. candidates are required to register for the Hooding Ceremony. All eligible candidates are subject to the dissertation chair's approval.

• Ph.D. candidates are required to wear academic regalia (cap and gown) and must bring their hood. Regalia rentals will begin on May 1st at the University Bookstore, 3rd floor.

• Ph.D. candidate line-up begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be located behind the stage, by department. 

• Before getting into line, completely fill out a namecard found on tables in the line-up area. Keep this card with you until a staff person collects it.

• Click here for the Ph.D. hooding ceremony stage procession diagram.

• Once all Ph.D. candidates have processed and are seated, the satellite ceremony will begin. Each Ph.D. candidate will proceed to the stage by department to have their name announced and be hooded.

• Four professional pictures will be taken, one before you are hooded, two while you are being hooded and one after you are hooded.

• After you are hooded all Ph.D. candidates must return to their seats until the conclusion of the ceremony.

• A reception, hosted by USC Dornsife, will immediately follow the ceremony on Howard Jones Field.

   

Main Ceremony Information

All Ph.D. candidates are welcome to participate in the main ceremony held on Friday, May 17, 2013 starting at 8:30 a.m. in Alumni Park. The Ph.D. candidate column will be led by Graduate Student Marshals, Flag Bearers and the Vice Provost for Graduate Programs. For more information on the main ceremony click here.

Guest Information

Disability Services

Deadline to sumbit a disablility request is Thursday, April 18, 2013.

Wheelchair seating is provided at the Ph.D. hooding ceremony. Due to space limitations, only one family member may join the disabled guest in the wheelchair seating area.  Additionally, by request USC Dornsife will make arrangements for sign language interpreters and captionists. 

Please email events@dornsife.usc.edu , Subject: Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony Disability Request, to submit a request for disability services.

Please be sure to provide the following information in your email:

• Ph.D. candidate's name

• Ph.D. candidate's department

• Disabled guest’s name

• Type of service needed: sign language interpreter, wheelchair seating, etc.
  NOTE: USC Dornsife does not provide wheelchair rentals

• Contact information in case of questions

Upon arrival, guests must check-in at the booth and will be escorted to the wheelchair seating area.  

Tickets 

USC Dornsife's Hooding Ceremony does not require tickets. All family and friends are welcome to attend.

Parking

Parking on the day of USC Dornsife's Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony is complimentary for candidates and their guests. Please inform the parking attendant at Gate 6/PSA that you are here to attend the Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony on Howard Jones Field.

To locate Howard Jones Field and Gate 6/PSA on a campus map please click here.

For driving directions, please click here.