Commencement

Commencement celebrates a pharmacy student’s completion of the PharmD degree program, providing a special moment in the presence of family and friends to reflect upon their previous years and look ahead to their future careers.

Admission and tickets

1. Guests unable to adhere to the terms outlined when registering will be refused admission.

2. Graduates do not need a ticket and will receive information from the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) about their check-in process.

3. Registration closes at 9:00 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

4. There is no charge to enter.

5. A ticket is required for every guest.

6. You can order as many tickets as you need.

7. There are two types of tickets:

   1. General Admission for everyone 5 years old and up

   2. Admission for children ages 4 and under.

Get tickets

Watch online

The event will be streamed live. The video will remain available to view after the event ends.

COVID-19 restrictions

• Masking is strongly recommended for all attendees and participants.

• A limited number of masks will be available at the event.

Arriving to the venue

For transportation options aside from ride sharing services, there are two nearby parking garages for attendees driving to the venue and public transportation options. For parking options near the venue, you may park at the Civic Center Plaza Garage or the Performing Arts Garage. Rates vary throughout the day. MUNI lines serving Davies Symphony Hall include #5, 21, 47, and 49. Underground MUNI metro and the F Streetcar line stop nearby at Market Street and Van Ness Avenue. BART lines serve the nearby Civic Center station at Market and Eighth Streets. For more information on Bay Area public transportation options and trip planning for the entire San Francisco Bay Area, please visit 511.org or by dialing 511.

Celebratory and decorative items

We understand that guests may want to bring celebratory or decorative items to commencement to celebrate their graduate. Per venue guidelines, balloons, bullhorns, and air horns are not allowed. Signage is allowed but may only be put up momentarily as your graduate crosses the stage to allow other audience members to view their graduate. We ask that you refrain from putting leis and flower arrangements around your graduate until after the ceremony to ease the hooding process.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. How long does the ceremony last?
   About 2 hours.
2. Is registration or a password required?
   The ceremony is public and available to anyone with the event link. Viewers may watch the premiere on a computer or cell phone.
3. Can I bring signs or balloons to celebrate my graduate?
   Balloons are not permitted in the theater. Signs are allowed, but please ensure they do not obstruct the view of other guests during the ceremony.
4. What is the Bowl of Hygeia Award?
   During the ceremony, the Bowl of Hygeia Award is presented as the highest honor given to a graduating student of the UCSF School of Pharmacy.

Questions?

Contact the Office of Student Affairs ([email protected]).

Need accessibility accommodations?

Contact Student Affairs Project Specialist Leslie Chocano Solis ([email protected]) by May 1 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific to ensure proper accessibility arrangements can be made.