Review these frequently asked questions to find answers.
For assistance, please contact the University Bookstore in the Russell House: 803-777-4160, sm240@bncollege.com.
Additional information (i.e., tassel colors, honors cords) can be found on our Academic Regalia page.
How long does the ceremony usually last? Approximately 2 - 2 1/2 hours Will livestream be available?The link will be available on sc.edu/commencement for guests to stream just before the ceremony begins.
What should I do if I planned to attend but will no longer be attending?Please send an email to graduate@sc.edu with your name, USC ID and ‘Cancel Attendance’ in subject line.
Will my name be listed in the program if I do not attend?Yes, if your graduation application was submitted before the deadline for program edits.
Will my name be announced if I do not attend?No, but your name may still be listed in the program.
No, only guests of the graduate.
Are babies/toddlers required to have a ticket?Yes, all persons are required to have a ticket.
When will I receive my seat number?Seat numbers will be emailed to graduate candidates at least a week prior to the ceremony. Please save your seat number as a screenshot for reference.
Will tickets need to be printed?Commencement tickets are fully digital and cannot be printed.
When should I receive an email regarding tickets?Students will receive an email when guest ticketing becomes available, roughly 2-6 weeks prior to the ceremony. Please keep an eye on our Graduation Dates and Deadlines page for official dates as they become available.
What should I do if I have not received my tickets yet?Please check that your graduation application has been submitted and attendance is listed as ‘yes’. If both, please search your spam or junk folder. Still no, contact graduatetickets@sc.edu for additional assistance. If either is ‘no’, please contact How many tickets will I receive?
Students participating in the Baccalaureate, Masters and Professional Commencement Ceremonies will receive up to five tickets for their guests attending the event. Additional guest tickets may be available at a later date pending availability. View the Tickets and Seating page for more information.
How do I request additional tickets?If this option becomes available, graduates will be notified via their university email account.
If I am late applying for graduation, when should I expect to receive my tickets?Ticketing receives attendance updates from our office daily, usually during the afternoon. Please allow 1-2 business days to claim tickets via Student Account Manager. If additional assistance is needed retrieving your tickets, please email graduatetickets@sc.edu.
Are dual degree graduates allowed to sit with the college of their choice?Yes, if your graduation application was submitted before the deadline for program edits.
Will my name be announced if I do not attend?No, but your name may still be listed in the program.
Will honors be included in the program?Possible honors based on your GPA at the time of printing will be noted in the program. Final honors will reflect on your transcript and diploma approximately 30 days after all degrees have been awarded.
How do I know if I will graduate with honors?Please refer to our Graduation with Honors page for the appropriate designations.
How can I ensure my name is pronounced correctly?Graduates planning to attend the Bachelor, Master’s, and Professional ceremony will receive multiple emails from Marching Order, a third-party vendor that manages name pronunciation for University of South Carolina commencement ceremonies.
Will majors, minors, and/or concentrations be announced?No. Students will cross the stage in alpha order by degree. The name of their college will be announced prior to the first student walking across the stage.
For graduates requiring special assistance, please contact the Student Disability Resource Center at Tickets and Seating page.
There are several local providers who rent wheelchairs and personal mobility devices.
What type of bags are allowed? What items are prohibited?If your item is not listed, please contact the venue for approval.
Each college has approximately 30 days after commencement to submit degree approvals to our office.
When will my degree be awarded?Once we receive degree approval from your college, your degree will be awarded within 3 – 5 business days.
When should I order my transcript?Please view your degree status on your academic transcript in my.sc.edu. If your degree is still listed as pending, you should wait to submit your transcript order. Once it is listed as awarded, you may proceed with placing your transcript request.
When will my diploma be mailed?Diplomas are mailed to all graduates within 90 days of graduation.
How do I update my diploma mailing address?Please verify that your diploma mailing address is correct by viewing your submitted graduation application. If changes are needed, please send an email to graduate@sc.edu providing your name, USC ID, and the updated mailing address.
How will my name appear on my diploma?Your full name as it appears on your student record will appear on your diploma. You may confirm this information by viewing your graduation application in my.sc.edu. If your full name is not shown, please complete a Name Change form to have it corrected.
How do I know if I will graduate with honors?Please refer to our Graduation with Honors page for the appropriate designations.
Will Graduation with Leadership Distinction, Latin Honors, and/or Departmental Honors appear on my diploma?
Yes, GLD, Latin Honors, and Departmental Honors will print on your diploma.
Will minor(s) and/or concentration(s) print on my diploma?Any minor(s) and/or concentration(s) will print on your official transcript but will not print on your diploma.
