Caruso School of Law Commencement

Class of 2023

Date: Friday, May 19, 2023
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Alumni Park

Important Links
Malibu Campus Map
Malibu Area Hotels

As this is an outdoor ceremony, sunblock, sunglasses, and hats are recommended for sun-sensitive guests. There is limited shaded seating. Here is the Malibu Campus Map for your reference. Area hotel information including Pepperdine discounts is available on our Malibu Area Hotels page- please call ahead to verify discount.

Check-In

Graduate check-in 8:30–9:45 AM
Hooder check-in 9–9:45 AM
Ceremony start time: 10:30 AM (Note: all graduates must be checked in by 9:45 AM in order to participate in the commencement ceremony).

Livestream

The commencement ceremony will be broadcast live. To view, please visit the University commencement page where the stream will begin 15 minutes prior to the ceremony. Livestream commencement. You will also be able to view or download a PDF version of the commencement program.

Regalia (Cap, Gown, Tassel, and Hood)

Gowns will be available for pickup in advance of the graduation ceremony. Please make time to pick up your robe on the following schedule:

Wednesday, May 17
JDs | 10AM—1PM | ACR
Graduate Programs | 10AM—1PM | Classroom B

Caps (tams), tassels, and hoods were available by direct order and will not be provided by Caruso Law. Please contact Jostens customer support for questions regarding these items.

Specialty Celebration Schedule

Please check your email for RSVP links. Deadlines apply. All times below are Pacific Time.

Diversity and Belonging Graduation Celebration

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 | 5:30–7:30 PM
Pepperdine Beach House. For all graduates, particularly those from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in the legal profession.

Palmer Center Certificate Ceremony

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 | 4–6 PM
Caruso Law Lon V. Smith Atrium. For graduates earning Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law certificates.

3L Breakfast

Thursday, May 18, 2023 | 9:30–11:30 AM
Caruso Law Lon V. Smith Atrium. For Class of 2023 graduates earning Juris Doctor degrees (no guests permitted).

Graduate Law Reception

Thursday, May 18, 2023 | 3–5 PM
Caruso Law Lon V. Smith Atrium. For Class of 2023 graduates earning LLM, MDR, MLS degrees, or Certificates in Dispute Resolution.

Baccalaureate Church Service

Thursday, May 18, 2023 | 7–9 PM
Stauffer Chapel. A Christian worship service for Class of 2023 graduates and their families.

2023 Commencement FAQ

General Information

Do I need to be vaccinated to attend?

No. Graduates and their guests do not need entry testing or proof of vaccination or exemptions. The situation is dynamic, however, and may change. Please refer to this page for updates before traveling to Malibu for the ceremony.

What do I need to bring to the ceremonies?

It is recommended that you bring sunscreen and hats as sun-sensitive seating areas will be limited.

What parking is available?

On-campus parking is available at locations marked on the campus parking map, on campus streets, and at the Drescher Graduate Campus on Via Pacifica. Shuttles will be in service, available at any marked campus shuttle stop. Special parking arrangements have been made for guests with special accessibility needs at convenient locations. For more information, contact the Department of Public Safety at the information booths or call 310.506.4700.

Will there be concessions available?

Due to the current county guidelines, there will not be concessions available at the ceremony but water bottles will be made available for all guests.

How can I order flowers for my graduate?

Order flowers ahead of time and they will be available for pick-up on the day of graduation. Order flowers here.

Traveling

Is there a Pepperdine rate at local hotels?

Several area hotels offer discounts for Pepperdine guests. Please see our list of hotels. Pepperdine discounts are noted where available.

I am a graduate who resides out of state. Can I attend my in-person ceremony?

Yes. Out-of-state graduates are permitted to attend, whether or not they are fully vaccinated. All graduates must RSVP to attend or your name will not be read.

What if I am unable to attend?

The ceremony will be live-streamed and recorded for future viewing. Names of those not in attendance will not be read.

Do I need to attend the in-person commencement ceremonies to have my degree conferred?

No, graduates do not need to attend to have their degree conferred.

Will my name be called if I cannot attend in person?

No.

Guests

Will I be able to invite guests to attend?

Yes. There is no limit on the number of guests each graduate can bring. Registration is not required for guests.

What do guests need to bring to the ceremonies?

It is recommended that guests bring sunscreen and hats as sun-sensitive seating areas will be limited.

Regalia (Cap, Gown, Hood, and Tassel)

How do I order regalia?

Graduates are required to purchase their tam (cap), tassel, and hood directly from the Jostens purchasing website within the “Graduation Caps & Gowns” section. These items will be sent directly to the address provided at time of order and will be for the graduate to keep.

The law school will be providing rental gowns the week of commencement for graduates to pick up. Immediately following the commencement ceremony, graduates will return the rental gown at the designated location prior to exiting Alumni Park. No graduate will be allowed to exit Alumni Park without returning their rental gown.

When will I receive my purchased regalia? What should I expect to receive?

The tam, tassel, and hood purchases should arrive approximately five (5) weeks from the order date. All hoods will have Pepperdine blue and orange lining, but the size/length and velvet band of the hood is based on the degree the graduate will be receiving. Please review the table below to identify the hood(s) graduates should expect to receive from their order. Once the order is received, check that the hood has the Pepperdine blue and orange lining as well as the appropriate velvet band and length.

Degree Receiving	Gown and Hood Needed
Juris Doctorate	Doctorate JD Hood (longer in length w/ purple velvet band)
Master of Laws (LLM)	Doctorate LLM Hood (longer in length w/ lilac velvet band)
MDR or MLS	Master Hood (shorter in length w/ white velvet band)
JD/MDR	Doctorate JD Hood & Master Hood (see above descriptions)

What if I think I received the wrong hood or am having issues with my order?

Please contact Jostens customer support.

When and where can I pick up the rental gown?

Graduates will be able to pick up their rental gown at the law school the week of commencement. An announcement on the exact times and locations will go out the week before.

What do I do with my regalia after the ceremony?

The tam, tassel, and hood purchased are yours to keep. Immediately following the commencement ceremony, graduates will return the rental gown at the designated location prior to exiting Alumni Park. No graduate will be allowed to exit Alumni Park without returning their rental gown.

Should I be wearing my regalia upon arrival at Alumni Park for Commencement?

Yes. Graduates must plan to arrive at Alumni Park dressed in regalia no later than 8:30 AM.

Can I wear other regalia accessories other than the tam, tassel, hood, and gown?

No. The University requires that all graduate degree regalia is consistent within each degree conferred across all graduates.

Who can I contact if I have questions regarding regalia?

Margaret Barfield can be reached at margaret.barfield@pepperdine.edu or at (310) 506-4653.

Diplomas and Program

When will I get my diploma?

Diplomas will be mailed to your permanent address approximately six weeks after degrees are conferred on May 19.

Will my name be in the printed commencement program?

If you have confirmed that your graduation requirements have been met, and submitted your information to your program, your name will appear in the program.

How do I get a copy of the printed commencement program?

The commencement printed program will be handed out to students and guests at the in-person ceremony. You will also be able to download a copy of the program from the commencement website.

Please contact the Dean’s Suite at lawdeansuite@pepperdine.edu if you have any questions not answered here.