Social Welfare Commencement

Social Welfare Commencement Ceremony

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

Congratulations Class of 2025!

All Social Welfare students graduating in the 2024-25 academic year (includes Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025) are eligible to participate in our Spring 2025 Commencement:

Graduates should arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony starts

Please note that the Social Welfare Commencement Ceremony is separate from the campus-wide Commencement Ceremony.

Register for Commencement

All students must register for Commencement in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. Registration forms will be sent out sometime in early Spring.

Our Commencement Ceremony is a private, ticketed event and all attendees must have a ticket to be admitted to Zellerbach Auditorium This is a Cal Performances policy and there are no exceptions. Tickets will become available in mid-Spring.

No one will be admitted into the Auditorium without a ticket, except graduates in cap and gown (or on our list) . Graduates dressed in cap and gown do not need a ticket for themselves.

Official Cal Regalia and Graduation Supplies

Graduates may purchase caps and gowns, along with other graduation gear, at the ASUC Student Store in MLK Union, and/or FallRush Berkeley located at 2480 Bancroft Way. You can also place your regalia order directly with the Cal Student Store. The official hood color for the school is citron.

Honor Cords for Undergraduates

The Department will provide Honor Cords to eligible undergraduate Social Welfare majors. 

Graduation Photography

GradImages is the official campus photographer for commencement. Approximately 24 hours after the ceremony you will receive information from them on how to access your proofs and order your commencement photos. GradImages sends both email notifications and mails paper proofs to the address they have on file for you. You may also preregister your contact information with GradImages to receive your proofs, and receive a discount on any orders.

GradImages Customer Service

Guest and Visitor Information

ADA Accessibility for Guests

Please be sure to communicate any special accommodation needs you or your guests may have when you RSVP for Commencement.

We will provide the Zellerbach Auditorium staff with a list of participants and guests requiring special assistance in advance. We strongly encourage you to inform guests who use a wheelchair or have other special seating/accommodation needs to arrive 15 minutes prior to the doors opening to the general audience. Cal Performances ushers will greet guests requiring ADA assistance at about 6:15 p.m., and will assist your guests with seating in the auditorium.

Livestream

The commencement ceremony will be livestreamed and recorded.

Parking and Transportation

Zellerbach Auditorium Directions and Parking

Reserved parking is not available for commencement and we encourage you take public transportation. If you choose to drive, please refer to the campus map for directions.

During commencements at Berkeley, Student "S" Permit areas will be open to the public at the hourly rate. Purchase parking from the "Pay by Space" dispensing machine. Parking and Transportation will also sell parking for Zellerbach Auditorium at the following locations:

  • Dana/Durant Lot 
  • RSF Garage 
  • Lower Sproul Garage 

The City of Berkeley Telegraph Channing Garage (formerly the Sather Gate Garage), located two blocks from the UC Berkeley Campus, is also available.

Coming to Berkeley

For information about where to stay, dine, and sight-see in the City of Berkeley, please see UC Berkeley's commencement information for guests.

Degrees and Diplomas

Students will not receive their diploma on the day of the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed by the Office of the Registrar approximately 3.5 months after the ceremony. For more information please see Transcripts and Diplomas.

Posting of MSW Degrees

MSW degrees are expected to be posted to students' transcripts no earlier than June 15. For information regarding requirements and the process for LCSW licensure in California, please visit the Board of Behavioral Sciences.