All of your MSW@USC Graduation Information

1. Preparing for Graduation and Commencement:
Graduation Checklist:
Take photo for the yearbook.
Order a copy of the El Rodeo yearbook.
Check with Degree Progress to confirm that you are on track to graduate. Visit the Degree
Progress website.
Review the wording of your diploma (including the spelling of your name) and verify shipping
and handling instructions to receive your diploma.
Order your stole, class ring, diploma frame, yearbook, invitations for family and friends, and
other commencement related items.
Check the graduation events and timelines below.
For more information about the USC Graduate To Do List please visit University Commencement website.
Instructions for Renting or Purchasing Regalia
For students that can travel to USC, come to Grad Fair and pre-pay for your cap and gown rental,
and you can pick yours up a day before everyone else, on Wednesday, April 25
Graduates will be able rent academic regalia (caps, gowns and hoods) in the Pertusati University
Bookstore, 3rd floor from Thursday, April 26 through Friday, May 11. The hours are:
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 11, 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Master’s degree (black cap, gown and hood): $69.99
Off-campus and out-of-state students may call in their cap and gown order (with a credit card) to
put their regalia on reserve or have it mailed to them. Please contact the USC Bookstore at (213)
740-8998.
The rental comes with a tassel for the cap that can be removed and kept as a souvenir. To speed up
the rental process, it’s best to have your height and cap size ready. If you don’t know those,
though, the staff will be happy to measure you.
Please be very clear when telling the staff what degree you are earning, to make sure you get the
right color trim on your hood. If you have any doubts about the color hood you should be
receiving, please check the list posted here.

2. Caps, gowns and hoods should be returned to the drop-off area outside the Bookstore immediately
following your satellite ceremony. Returns after commencement day should be made inside the
Bookstore’s first floor.
Full regalia information.
*Important Regalia Note* Caps should be worn at all times, except during the invocation,
benediction, and National Anthem, when gentlemen should remove their caps. The tassel is worn
over the right temple. When the President salutes the graduates, it is appropriate for the
graduates to respond by tipping their caps. Graduates may then move their tassels over to the left
side.
Commencement Activities Timeline:
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Phi Kappa Phi Initiation Ceremony
1:30 p.m., Bing Theater
Juniors with a 3.9 or higher GPA; seniors with a 3.85 or higher GPA, and graduate students
in the top percentage of their classes are invited for initiation to the Society. Faculty and
staff are also initiated into membership at this event.
Grad Night
7:00 p.m., Cicada Restaurant
617 S. Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Grad Night is the end of the year celebration in which ALL social work graduating students
are welcomed to attend. It is a Dinner and Dance where we all come together as a Trojan
Family and celebrate our accomplishments. Tickets will be for sale in late March. This year
we will have a full program with a speaker and entertainment. This event has limited
seating. Semi Formal Attire.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Virtual Academic Center School of Social Work Graduation Party
7:00 p.m., Mas Malo Restaurant
515 W. 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
All Virtual Academic Center students, and their family and friends, are invited to celebrate
their upcoming graduation with faculty and administration from the USC School of Social
Work. The event will include light refreshment and complimentary valet.
African-American Cultural Celebration
8:00 p.m., Bovard Auditorium
The African-American Cultural Celebration serves as a traditional rite of passage that

3. recognizes and affirms students of African descent who have completed a rigorous journey
through academia at USC. http://sait.usc.edu/cbcsa/black_graduation_info.as
Chicano/Latino Graduation Celebration
8:00 p.m., Howard Jones Field
Continuing the tradition since its inception in 1980, the Chicano/Latino Graduate
Celebration formerly known as the Chicano/Latino Graduation takes place the night before
USC Commencement. The bilingual ceremony celebrates graduating students’ personal and
academic achievements in the spirit and traditions of Latino culture.
http://sait.usc.edu/elcentro/programs/chicanolatino-graduate-celebration.aspx
Asian Pacific Cultural Celebration
8:00 p.m., Ronald Tutor Campus Center, Grand Ballroom
The Asian Pacific Graduate Celebration aims to recognize and celebrate the strength of the
Asian Pacific community at USC and to inspire the Asian Pacific community about their
limitless opportunities post-graduation.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Commencement Ceremonies
Graduates can attend one or both ceremonies. The university ceremony is open to all USC
graduates and their guests. There is no registration required for students to march in the
university ceremony, and guest seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The
social work ceremony is where social work graduates' names are called and they walk
across the stage to receive their diploma cover. Tickets are required for the social work
ceremony.
Main USC Ceremony
Students line up: 8 a.m., column B (see map)
Processional: 8:30 a.m.
Ceremony: 9:00 a.m.
Degree candidates line up for the main ceremony at 8:00 a.m. at column B (see map on the
USC Commencement Web site). The processional will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the ceremony
starting at 9:00 a.m. After the main ceremony is over, please head directly to McCarthy
Quad or Argue Plaza — depending on your major. The flag/banner bearer will lead you into
the tent and to your seats.
http://www.usc.edu/dept/pubrel/specialevents/commencement/mainceremony.php
Commencement Day Welcome for New Grads
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Widney Alumni House
The USC Alumni Association invites the university's newest alumni, the Class of 2012, and
their families to visit the Widney Alumni House on Commencement Day 2012. Take a
relaxing break, enjoy refreshments, and learn about the benefits of your complimentary
Alumni Association membership.

4. School of Social Work of Social Work Satellite Ceremony
The satellite ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Shrine Auditorium.A pre-ceremony
reception will be held at 4:00 p.m. on the North Leavey lawn.
Tickets are required and will be distributed directly to graduates.
More information available at: http://sowkweb.usc.edu/current-students/commencement.
Contact: Hillary Chisum
(213) 821-1297
h.chisum@usc.edu
Commencement Day Information:
Guests should plan on arriving on campus by 7:00 a.m. to secure parking (which is free), and to
find a seat in or around Alumni Park. Please note, guests will only be allowed to save an additional
two seats each.
Students will line up at their assembly points by 8:00 a.m. Commencement begins at 8:30 a.m. as
5,000 degree candidates march into Alumni Park from its four corners. Students process with
their school, behind cardinal and gold banners listing the name of the school, and heraldic flags
depicting the school's traditional academic icons.
The main ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. This ceremony includes addresses from the president, the
valedictorian, and the commencement speaker; honorary degrees are bestowed; and students are
officially recognized (en masse) as graduates of the university.
The ceremony concludes by 10:15 a.m., and students march out of the park back to their assembly
points.
Following the main ceremony, most students and families head to their schools' satellite
ceremonies.
Click here to find more information on the commencement day schedule.
To view and/or download commencement day maps, click here.
Commencement Traveling Tips:
Booking Hotels and Flights:
STA Travel is the official travel agency for commencement and can be reached at (213) 254-2662. It has
negotiated discounted rates with airlines, hotels and rental cars. It is recommended that you contact STA
Travel early to arrange for your travel needs.
Suggested websites for securing travel and hotel accommodations:
Cheapflights.com
Expedia.com

5. Farecompare.com
Flights.com
Hipmunk.com
Kayak.com
Priceline.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
Tripadvisor.com
Hotels Near Campus:
Hilton Checkers Hotel, (213) 891-0529, www.hilton.com
Holiday Inn City Center, (213) 748-1291, www.hicitycenter.com
JW Marriott, 1 (800) 832-9136, http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxjw-jw-marriott-
hotel-los-angeles-at-la-live/
Marriott Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, (213) 617-1133,
www.losangelesmarriottdowntown.com/
Millennium Biltmore Hotel, (213) 624-1011, www.millenniumhotels.com
Radisson Plaza Hotel Midtown Los Angeles, (888) 201-1718, www.radisson.com
Sheraton Hotel Los Angeles, (213) 488-3500, www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton
Wilshire Grand, (213) 688-7777, www.wilshiregrand.com
Transportation Options:
Car Rentals
There are numerous car rental agencies in Los Angeles; many of which are located at Los
Angeles International Airport (LAX).For information about the available car rental agencies,
please use this
link:http://www.lawa.org/tenantLAXResult.aspx?airport=4&category=82&catname=CAR%20
RENTAL&sindicator=fl .
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, www.mta.net

6. See website for details about hours of operation, rail and bus stop locations, and the costs for
transportation.
The DASH, (213) 808-2273, www.ladottransit.com/dash
Route F runs between USC and downtown Los Angeles. Buses run every 10 minutes from 6:30
a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and every 20 minutes from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends. Please see
their website for additional routes. The cost is 35 cents each way.
Yellow Cab, (800) USC-TAXI,
http://www.usc.edu/busaffairs/admin_serv/uscard_serv/yellowcab
USC has partnered with Yellow Cab to provide alternative transportation for USC students.
Yellow Cab will accept USCard for payment, tip included, to destinations within its service area.
For more information call (800) USC-TAXI or visit www.usc.edu/bus-
affairs/admin_serv/uscard_serv/yellowcab.
Fares for all Los Angeles County-licensed taxi companies are $2.85 for first 1/9th mile; 30
cents for each additional 1/9th mile; 30 cents for each 37 seconds waiting time and/or traffic
delay ($29.19 per hour). Trips originating from LAX may cost an additional $2.50. Charge for
trips to/from LAX and downtown is $49. Visit www.taxicabsla.org for map of areas each
company serves and to find out about additional City of Los Angeles Taxi Services.
Hot Spots in Los Angeles near USC
Within walking distance, the Dash shuttle, or a short drive:
http://mapp.usc.edu/mastersprograms/prospectivestudents/documents/ThingstoDo_001.pdf
Some of the recommended spots are below:
o California Science Center
o Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
o Chinatown
o L.A. Live
o Music Center
o Santa Monica Pier
o Venice Beach
Museums, theatres, shows, event venues, and local attractions:
http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/parents/images/ThingsDoLA.pdf.
Some of the recommended spots are below:
o California Science Center
o Getty Center

7. o House of Blues Sunset Strip
o Los Angeles Convention Center
o Staples Center
o Third Street Promenade
o University City Walk
Restaurants:
o 29th Street Café, www.thetwonine.com, (213) 746-2929, 2827 S. Hoover Street Los
Angeles, CA 90071
o Ciao Trattoria, www.ciaotrattoria.com, (213) 624-2244, 815 W. 7th Street Los Angeles,
CA 90017
o El Cholo Mexican Restaurant,www.elcholo.com, (323) 734-2773, 1121 S. Western
Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90006
o McCormick and Schmick’s, www.mccormickandschmicks.com, (213) 629-1929, 633 W.
5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90071
o McKay’s, www.mckays.usc.edu, (213) 740-4111, 3540 South Figueroa Street Los
Angeles, CA 90071
o Moreton Fig, www.moretonfig.com, (213) 821-3441, 3607 Trousdale Parkway Ronald
Tutor Campus Center Los Angeles, CA 90089
o Philippe the Original, www.philippes.com, (213) 628-3781, 1001 N. Alameda St. Los
Angeles, CA 90012
o Roy’s, www.roysrestaurant.com, (213) 488-4994, 800 S. Figueroa Street Los Angeles,
CA 90017
o The Lab, www.thelab.usc.edu, (213) 743-1843, 3500 Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA
90007
o The Original Pantry, www.pantrycafe.com, (213) 972-9279, 877 S. Figueroa St. Los
Angeles, CA 90017
DowntownLA.com has also created a site containing their favorite restaurants:
http://www.downtownla.com/downtown-center-dining.asp#1