Commencement 2024

Commencement 2024 Details!

Saturday, May 25th, 2024 (In the morning)

Hilton Beachfront Resort
633 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara


Graduates and current students who could be on track to complete all degree requirements by the necessary deadlines for the 2024 commencement ceremony can expect to receive communications from the registrar’s office in February regarding eligibility and deadlines.

Questions may be addressed to Registrar@pacifica.edu

With commencement taking place on Memorial Day Weekend, we highly recommend to those wishing to stay in a hotel to book early. Hotel prices increase and availability becomes scarcer as we approach the date.

Summary of important dates and deadlines for participation in the
2024 Commencement ceremony:
Please note that the deadlines noted below are firm. If you are not able to meet all deadlines, you will be invited to participate and receive your diploma at the 2025 commencement ceremony

  • April 3 Deadline to scan and email your completed Commencement and Diploma Order Form to Rob Case, Registrar Coordinator, at rcase@pacifica.edu
    (For students participating in the commencement ceremony, forms received after the deadline will be subject to a $25 late fee for expedited shipping of regalia. Students responding after April 19 will not be eligible to participate in the ceremony, since regalia orders cannot be fulfilled after this date.)
  • May 3 Ph.D./Psy.D. candidates: to participate in the ceremony, your dissertation oral defense must be completed by this date. (Once you upload your final edited manuscript and submit processing forms, please keep in mind that time will be needed to set up your oral defense.)
  • May 6 To participate in the ceremony, documentation that all MA, PhD, or PsyD. degree requirements have been satisfied must be received by the Registrar’s Office no later than May 6th. These include all final course grades, outstanding Incomplete, Tutorial and Independent Study grades, documentation that any required exams, applicable internship, personal therapy, depth transformative hours, self-directed studies and dissertation oral defense have been successfully completed.
  • May 20 All financial obligations must be satisfied by this date.
  • May 25 10:30 am – Commencement ceremony at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort at 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, CA 93103. (805) 564-4333

3rd Session 2024 Winter Qtr
The following must be submitted by third session of Winter quarter
(i.e., TrackC – 3/10, TrackW – 3/13, Track D – 3/17, Track V – 3/24):

  1. All winter quarter coursework must be submitted to your instructors;
  2. All online/hybrid coursework must be submitted no later than the due dates
    noted on all course syllabi and
  3. Electronic thesis (and optional bound copy) must be submitted to your Research Associate

Note: students who wish to participate in the 2024 commencement ceremony may
not take Incompletes for winter quarter courses.

  • March 15 All required practicum documentation, including personal therapy must be received.
  • April 3 Deadline to scan and email your completed Commencement and Diploma Order Form to Rob Case, Registrar Coordinator, at rcase@pacifica.edu
    (For students participating in the commencement ceremony, forms received after the deadline will be subject to a $25 late fee for expedited shipping of regalia. Students responding after April 19 will not be eligible to participate in the ceremony, since regalia orders cannot be fulfilled after this date.)
  • April 20 The Registrar’s Office must have documentation that all degree requirements have been satisfied (i.e., all final grades and all outstanding Incomplete, Tutorial and Independent Study grades must be received in the Registrar’s Office by this date).
  • May 20 All financial obligations must be satisfied by this date.
  • May 24 Thesis Presentation Day for all MA Counseling graduates and their guests on the Ladera Campus. Additional information about the event will be provided by the Counseling program in the coming weeks.
  • May 25 10:30 a.m. – Commencement ceremony for all graduates at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort at 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, CA 93103. (805) 564-4333