How long does the commencement ceremony last?

The ceremony is approximately 2.5 hours long.

Do you need a ticket for a child or baby?

Yes, children/babies must each have their own ticket in order to be admitted to the event.

What time should I plan to arrive for Commencement?

Graduates are to arrive to the Greek Theatre at 12:30 pm.

How do I get to the Greek Theatre?

We highly encourage you to take public transportation. If you choose to drive, please consult the campus map for directions. If you drive, you may park in the surrounding area and public lots on a first-come, first-served basis. Charges, hours, and availability will vary.

When will I receive my diploma?

Diplomas are mailed out by central campus approximately four months after the end of your graduation term to the diploma mailing address in Cal Central. Please see instructions on how to check and update this address prior to graduation.

Where will my diploma be mailed?

If you are unsure where you will be living, use the address of a relative or friend whose address you know will not change so your diploma arrives to you safely.

What name will be on my diploma?

The name on your diploma will appear as it was recorded from your application for admission to UC Berkeley. You may change your name of record by providing a driver’s license or passport, or record of a legal name change. To verify the accuracy of your name: Go to your “Profile” in CalCentral. View the name displayed and confirm that it matches your driver’s license or passport. To make a correction, visit Cal Student Central at 120 Sproul Hall with a driver’s license or passport, and complete the correction form before the last day of the term in which you wish to graduate. If you have legally changed your name since applying: Fill out the Name Change Petition. Bring the completed Name Change Petition and supporting documentation to Cal Student Central at 120 Sproul Hall before the last day of the term in which you wish to graduate. To mail your Name Change Petition, send the petition and copies of supporting documentation to: Academic Records, Office of the Registrar 128 Sproul Hall University of California Berkeley, CA 94702-5404 Note: While at UC Berkeley you may choose to use a preferred name. While the preferred name will appear on certain records such as your Cal 1 Card, course rosters, and Residence Hall records, the preferred name will not appear on your diploma. For more information, see “Your Name on Records & Rosters.”

What happens to my berkeley.edu email address?

All student @berkeley.edu email accounts are active for nine months after graduation. You may elect to keep your @berkeley.edu email account as an alumnus indefinitely. You cannot claim your email address until after you graduate and you are in the alumni database, which can take a couple of months.

Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?

No, the diploma will be mailed to your address listed in CalCentral approximately four months after the ceremony. If you need evidence of degree completion sooner, you may request a Certificate of Completion.

Where do I order regalia for commencement?

You may order regalia at the Cal Bookstore.

Where do I pick up my regalia?

You can pick up your regalia at the Cal Bookstore or have it mailed to you directly.

What color is our hood and tassel?

Tassels: Undergrad, Masters: Blue & Gold Doctoral: Gold Hoods: MPH and DrPH: Salmon MS EHS & Epi: Gold MA Biostats: White PhD: Blue

Where can I find information about visitor accommodations and dining in Berkeley?

Visit Berkeley can provide information on lodging, dining, and entertainment options in Berkeley.

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

The 2024 ceremony will be webcast live on the day of the event. It will also be archived online for future viewing on the Berkeley Public Health YouTube channel.

How long will I have access to bCourses?

Graduating students retain CalNet access for about nine months after their graduation date. During this grace period, students retain access to bCourses. At the end of the grace period, students lose access to bCourses. Please note that professors may always restrict access to their materials sooner.

Where can I find the most current COVID-19 guidelines and information?

UC Berkeley COVID-19 updates and resources can be found here.

Berkeley Public Health Commencement

Monday, May 13 2024
Hearst Greek Theatre

Welcome to the School of Public Health Commencement page. On May 13, 2024 at 2:00 pm, we will be celebrating the Baccalaureate, Masters, and Doctoral degrees of the Class of 2024 with an in-person ceremony at the Hearst Greek Theatre.

After the ceremony, there will be light refreshments offered at the Campanile Esplanade from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Each graduate may bring up to four guests (maximum) due to the venue’s capacity. Please be advised that this is not considered dinner, so we do suggest that families make dinner reservations well in advance during this busy time. If you do plan to attend the reception immediately following the ceremony, please RSVP here.

Save the date! Up next: Registration coming in early March. Tickets will be available for purchase in April.

Eligibility for Participation

All Berkeley Public Health undergraduate and graduate students graduating in 2024 are eligible to participate in the Berkeley Public Health Commencement Ceremony at 2 pm on May 13, 2024, at the Greek Theatre. This includes those who graduated in fall 2023 and those who intend to graduate in spring 2024, and summer 2024.

Ticketing, Seating, Guest Information

Graduates are required to register with their respective BPH Program Managers and subsequently through Marching Order to participate in the commencement ceremony. However, there is no need for graduates to purchase a ticket. Graduates will receive (4) complimentary tickets with the option to purchase up to (10) additional tickets online at $10 per ticket. Please be aware that tickets will not be available for online purchase until mid-April and for student pickup until early May. Graduates will receive updates regarding the availability of tickets through the bph-commencement@berkeley.edu account.
Purchased tickets will be delivered by email only. Mail and will-call delivery methods are not available. Students should email tickets@calperformances.org if they have not received their e-tickets or if they have any general questions.
All commencement ticket sales are final. No refunds, no exceptions.
Disability accommodations for graduates and guests: If you or any of your guests require accommodations for disabilities (e.g., wheelchair seating, sign language interpreter, etc.), please complete the Special Seating Request Form with your contact information and special seating request. Kindly be advised that special seating requests are not guaranteed and will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event. Please feel free to contact bph-commencement@berkeley.edu with any questions.
Important note regarding seating at the Greek Theatre: All seating is general admission, not reserved, and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. It is possible that guests may have to climb the steep steps to sit on the grassy hillside above the concrete bleacher seating. Once the concrete bleacher seating area has reached capacity, guests will be directed to the lawn by Greek Theatre staff.
The Greek Theatre is open to the elements, and you and your guests should be prepared for any kind of weather and a wide range of temperatures. There are no indoor, temperature-controlled areas at the Greek Theatre. It may be cold and foggy, or very hot and sunny. Sunscreen is highly recommended, as is layered clothing. Guests and students should dress accordingly. Guests, especially those with heat or sun sensitivities, are encouraged to bring factory-sealed bottled water and umbrellas for shade (or rain if necessary). Commencement will take place rain or shine.
The Greek Theatre/UCPD will be checking bags at all of the entrance gates.

View a list of items that are prohibited inside the Greek Theatre
- Large bags or backpacks
- Noisemakers / air horns
- Balloons (may be tied-off at the entrance gates at own discretion)
- Baby strollers (designated parking is available just inside the gate)
- Glass bottles/aluminum cans
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coolers/ice chests
- Skateboards/bicycles/scooters
- Musical instruments
- Fireworks
- Rolls of toilet paper
- Signs/banners/flags
- Tripods for cameras
- Animals (with the exception of documented service animals)
- Lawn furniture or chairs (small blankets, cushions, and low-backed stadium seats are OK)
- Any items that can be perceived as weapons
View more information on the Greek Theatre’s website.

Caps, Gowns, and Regalia

Students are responsible for providing their own regalia to wear at their ceremony. Caps and gowns may be purchased or rented from the Cal Student Store. For more information regarding caps and gowns, graduation announcements, and ordering yearbooks, please visit the Cal Student Store website or the brick-and-mortar store at 2495 Bancroft Way. Store hours are Monday through Friday 9 am–6 pm, Saturday 10 am–6 pm, and Sunday 11 am–5 pm.

More Cal Student Store rental information (.pdf)

Tassels:

Undergrad, Masters: Blue & Gold
Doctoral: Gold

Hoods:

MPH and DrPH: Salmon
MS EHS & Epi: Gold
MA Biostats: White
PhD: Blue

Transportation to Commencement

We highly recommend taking public transportation. Reserved parking is not available for commencement. If you choose to drive, please consult the campus map for directions. Paid hourly parking may be available in campus parking lots on a first-come, first-served basis.

Find more spring 2024 commencement parking information on the Berkeley Parking and Transportation website.

Accessibility

Disability accommodations for graduates and guests: If you or any of your guests require accommodations for disabilities (e.g., wheelchair seating, sign language interpreter, etc.), please complete the Special Seating Request Form with your contact information and special seating request. Kindly be advised that special seating requests are not guaranteed and will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event. Please feel free to contact bph-commencement@berkeley.edu with any questions.

Parking and Transportation accessibility information can be found here.

Commencement Photos

Berkeley Public Health has made arrangements with GradImages Photo to photograph every graduate at the moment the scroll is given. For more information about ordering photos, visit the GradImages website.

Program

A printed program will be available on-site on the day of the event. A digital version of the commencement program will be available for download and printing.

Commencement Speaker

Gerald Chan

Gerald Chan is a scientist and a global leader in biotechnology. In his career as a venture capitalist, he has been involved in the building of over a hundred biotech companies. Of these, over a dozen companies were co-founded by him with intellectual property spun out from universities. His work has resulted in first-in-class drugs, diagnostics and medical devices being approved by regulatory agencies for use in the clinic.

In recent years, his work has focused on using AI to develop digital biomarkers, digital diagnostics and therapeutics for dementia, autism and behavioral disorders. Deployed at the population level, his work is changing healthcare by concurrently improving clinical outcome for patients, lowering healthcare cost, making healthcare more accessible and streamlining the workload of healthcare workers.

Gerald was trained at UCLA, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. For his contributions to science and public health, he was awarded seven honorary doctorates and elected to honorary fellowships at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Trinity College of Cambridge University and Wolfson College of Oxford University. He is the Honorary Professor of Translational Medicine at University of Manchester.

Stay Safe

The Greek Theatre is an outdoor venue. You will not be required to show proof of a vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter. Face coverings are required indoors (e.g., restrooms), and optional, however recommended, when seated outdoors during the ceremony. Visit the Berkeley Commencement FAQ for more public health recommendations.

Please note changes may be made to entrance requirements in the months leading up to the ceremony. Please check back for updates.

Class Gift

For more than 20 years, the graduating students at Berkeley Public Health have decided upon a meaningful class gift to leave as their legacy and a way to enhance the experiences of future public health students. This year’s gift will include three options: Support for the DREAM office’s initiatives, emergency fund and food pantry and/or support the mural community art project.

No donation is too small. Our goal is to reach the highest possible participation rate. We are aiming at 100% student participation.

Where would you like to focus this year’s class gift campaign? Please complete the Class Gift Form by Monday, March 11, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Markay (she/her), Assistant Director, Alumni & Donor Relations at (510) 206-2911.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the commencement ceremony last?

The ceremony is approximately 2.5 hours long.
Do you need a ticket for a child or baby?

Yes, children/babies must each have their own ticket in order to be admitted to the event.
What time should I plan to arrive for Commencement?

Graduates are to arrive to the Greek Theatre at 12:30 pm.
How do I get to the Greek Theatre?

We highly encourage you to take public transportation. If you choose to drive, please consult the campus map for directions. If you drive, you may park in the surrounding area and public lots on a first-come, first-served basis. Charges, hours, and availability will vary.
When will I receive my diploma?

Diplomas are mailed out by central campus approximately four months after the end of your graduation term to the diploma mailing address in Cal Central.

Please see instructions on how to check and update this address prior to graduation.
Where will my diploma be mailed?

If you are unsure where you will be living, use the address of a relative or friend whose address you know will not change so your diploma arrives to you safely.
What name will be on my diploma?
The name on your diploma will appear as it was recorded from your application for admission to UC Berkeley. You may change your name of record by providing a driver’s license or passport, or record of a legal name change.

To verify the accuracy of your name:
1. Go to your “Profile” in CalCentral.
2. View the name displayed and confirm that it matches your driver’s license or passport.
3. To make a correction, visit Cal Student Central at 120 Sproul Hall with a driver’s license or passport, and complete the correction form before the last day of the term in which you wish to graduate.
If you have legally changed your name since applying:
1. Fill out the Name Change Petition.
2. Bring the completed Name Change Petition and supporting documentation to Cal Student Central at 120 Sproul Hall before the last day of the term in which you wish to graduate.
3. To mail your Name Change Petition, send the petition and copies of supporting documentation to:
Academic Records, Office of the Registrar
128 Sproul Hall
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94702-5404

Note: While at UC Berkeley you may choose to use a preferred name. While the preferred name will appear on certain records such as your Cal 1 Card, course rosters, and Residence Hall records, the preferred name will not appear on your diploma. For more information, see “Your Name on Records & Rosters.”
What happens to my berkeley.edu email address?

All student @berkeley.edu email accounts are active for nine months after graduation. You may elect to keep your @berkeley.edu email account as an alumnus indefinitely. You cannot claim your email address until after you graduate and you are in the alumni database, which can take a couple of months.
Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?

No, the diploma will be mailed to your address listed in CalCentral approximately four months after the ceremony. If you need evidence of degree completion sooner, you may request a Certificate of Completion.
Where do I order regalia for commencement?

You may order regalia at the Cal Bookstore.
Where do I pick up my regalia?

You can pick up your regalia at the Cal Bookstore or have it mailed to you directly.
What color is our hood and tassel?
Tassels:
- Undergrad, Masters: Blue & Gold
- Doctoral: Gold
Hoods:
- MPH and DrPH: Salmon
- MS EHS & Epi: Gold
- MA Biostats: White
- PhD: Blue
Where can I find information about visitor accommodations and dining in Berkeley?

Visit Berkeley can provide information on lodging, dining, and entertainment options in Berkeley.
Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

The 2024 ceremony will be webcast live on the day of the event. It will also be archived online for future viewing on the Berkeley Public Health YouTube channel.
How long will I have access to bCourses?

Graduating students retain CalNet access for about nine months after their graduation date. During this grace period, students retain access to bCourses. At the end of the grace period, students lose access to bCourses. Please note that professors may always restrict access to their materials sooner.
Where can I find the most current COVID-19 guidelines and information?

UC Berkeley COVID-19 updates and resources can be found here.

Request Additional Information

Email bph-commencement@berkeley.edu with additional questions.