Regalia
For more information about obtaining caps, gowns, hoods, honors cords, and announcements, contact the Graduation Department of the Cal Student Store.
Student Speaker Contest
Do you have words of wisdom you'd like to share with your fellow grads? A message to help celebrate your achievements and wish everyone well in the future? Then you should enter our STUDENT SPEAKER COMPETITION!
The Student Speaker is a vital part of the commencement ceremony. In fact, some say it's the best part! The Student Speaker gives a 10 minute (max) presentation and sits on the stage with the rest of the VIPs. If you would like to compete for this honor, first check your cumulative and major GPA: they must be at least 3.3 to be eligible.
Additional information will be available later this semester, so keep an eye out for email updates.
Honors & Distinctions
Departmental Honors: Departmental Honors in International and Area Studies are based on writing an honors thesis of high quality and achieving a qualifying grade point average (minimum of a 3.5 overall GPA and 3.6 major GPA). Departmental honors will be noted in the commencement program. The level of honors achieved -- Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors -- will be noted on students' final transcripts and diplomas.
Distinction in General Scholarship: The College of Letters & Science awards Honors, High Honors, and Highest Honors (comparable to Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude) based on one’s GPA as compared to one’s peers. Distinction is awarded automatically and will be noted on your transcript and diploma. Because the grade point averages are calculated on grades not yet recorded by the time of commencement, distinctions are not noted in the commencement program. More information can be found here.
Awards
Awards will be presented at commencement for the following categories:
• Departmental Citations for each major
• Outstanding Honors Thesis Award
Professional Photographs
GradImages is the official commencement photographer for our department. Your proofs will be ready to view online as soon as 48 hours of the ceremony. In order to notify you when your images are available, GradImages sends emails and mails paper proofs, along with optional text message notifications. Your information is never shared and privacy is guaranteed. Pre-registering is simply a way to make sure your contact information is up-to-date with GradImages, so they can provide your complimentary proofs as quickly as possible. Although there's never any obligation to order, you'll save $5 off any order of $25 or more for your participation. To pre-register for your commencement proofs, please visit http://GradImages.com/Preregistration.
Search under the phrase "University of CA Berkeley" and find "IAS Spring" on the list.
Diplomas, Transcripts, and Degree Verification
Diplomas are not awarded at the commencement ceremony; they are automatically mailed approximately 3 months after the end of the term. Your final grades will post to your official transcript several weeks after the last day of final exams, and your degree will post to your transcript approximately 3 months after the semester in which you graduate. More information about diplomas can be found here.
If you need proof of graduation before your final transcript is available, you may request a Certificate of Completion from the Registrar’s Office.
If you need to verify attendance and/or graduation for insurance, scholarships, Law School Dean's Appraisals, Certifications, etc., please visit this page for further information.
For additional information, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
