Commencement 2026 - Logistics

top of sather gate with cherry blossoms on the left side foreground

The Berkeley School of Education's commencement will be held Thursday, May 21, 2026, celebrating those who have earned their Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees in education with an in-person ceremony at Zellerbach Hall.

The ceremony starts promptly at 2:00 p.m. Graduates and faculty must arrive by 1:00 p.m. Graduates will line up outside of Zellerbach Hall at 1:00 p.m. After the ceremony, join us for light refreshments on the plaza in front of Zellerbach Hall. A flower vendor and a professional photographer will be at Zellerbach Hall. Guests are welcome to take photos and videos and bring their own flowers and gifts. No balloons are allowed in the auditorium.

Ticketing, Seating, Guest Information

  • Graduates can purchase commencement ceremony tickets for guests in April.
  • Commencement tickets are available via tickets.berkeley.edu, or by phone (510) 642-9988, or in person at the Zellerbach Hall Box Office during their business hours starting in April. 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.
  • Guests must present their ticket to gain admittance to Zellerbach Hall. All guests, including children, must have a ticket to enter the venue. Tickets for children younger than 5 years old are free and should also be ordered through tickets.berkeley.edu.
  • Ticketed guests will be welcomed to enter starting at 1:15 p.m. Guests who arrive late will be asked to quietly take their seats at the back so there is no disruption to the ceremony.
  • All seating is general admission, not reserved, and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • All commencement ticket sales are final. No refunds, no exceptions.
  • Undergraduate and Masters graduates will be seated at the front center section of the auditorium. PhD graduates will be seated on the stage alongside the faculty.

Caps, Gowns, and Regalia

Graduates are responsible for providing their own regalia. Caps and gowns may be rented or purchased from the Cal Student Store. More information about graduate regalia will be shared as it becomes available. Regalia can be purchased from other vendors, though it’s important to be sure the regalia matches BSE colors.

The color of the hood by degree:

  • BS in Educational Sciences: no hood
  • MA in Education: white
  • PhD in Education: royal blue
  • EdD:  powder blue

Watch short videos on how to wear academic regalia on Berkeley Engineering's YouTube channel.

Transportation

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

Rates, hours, and restrictions in both campus and city lots may vary. Read all parking signs carefully.

Accessibility

The Berkeley School of Education wants to make the commencement ceremony accessible for all graduates and guests.

Information on accessible parking spots can be found on the campus Parking and Transportation Department's website.

Commencement Photos

Professional photographers from GradImages Photo will photograph every graduate at various points on stage. For information about ordering photos, visit the GradImages website.

Printed Program

The names of degree candidates who register for commencement on time will be printed in the program. Upon request, a PDF of the commencement program is available for download and printing.

Non-Graduating Students, and Staff

Berkeley School of Education’s non-graduating students and staff are invited to attend commencement. Pick up a complimentary ticket from Student Services on the 4th floor of Berkeley Way West beginning on Monday, May 4th. Student Services team members are available Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to Noon, and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may also make an appointment by sending an email to bsecommencement@berkeley.edu. Please note: the last day to pick up a complimentary ticket is Wednesday, May 20th by 4:00 p.m.

More Information

Undergraduate and Graduate students who are planning to participate in the commencement ceremony are required to submit a participation form by Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

Contact

Additional questions about commencement? Send an email to bsecommencement@berkeley.edu.

Stay Safe

Zellberbach Hall's auditorium is a state-of-the-art performance venue. Visitors are not required to show proof of a vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter. Face coverings are optional. Additional safety recommendations are on the UC Berkeley COVID-19 resources website.