Commencement 2026

On Campus Lodging Options

Dear Graduates, Friends, Family and Loved Ones,

We are pleased to offer on campus lodging options for the 2026 Commencement. Please review the important information below before reserving your room.

• Friday, May 22^nd, 2026 is a set night, in addition, you may add the night before and/or the night after, selectable on the form.
• Check-in begins from 3 PM onward. Check-out is by 11 AM.
• No children under the age of 18 years old are permitted to stay on campus overnight & No alcohol is permitted on campus.
• Three room types are available. All rooms are dorm style with shared restroom facilities.
  • Semiprivate Suite Room – Ocean view, semiprivate restroom shared with just one other room. Up to two persons per room allowed.
  • Couple Room – Full size bed, up to two persons per room (rooms are small), first floor with communal restroom facilities.
  • Single Room – Second floor room with Twin XL size bed. Room suitable for one-person, communal restroom facilities, stair access only.
• Meals/Food Options
  • Coffee/Tea and light continental breakfast items provided each morning.
  • Lunch on Friday, May 22^nd is included, as well as coffee/tea and larger continental breakfast.
  • No other meals available on campus – (There will be a robust continental breakfast provided for graduates at the Hilton on Commencement morning).
• Cancellation/Refund policy
  • Full refunds will be provided up to 10 days prior to the event. Cancellations made after this time will receive a 50% refund. There is no refund for cancellations made on the day of your scheduled arrival.

For questions please email guestservices@pacifica.edu.

Click here to accept the above terms and proceed to the room selection page.

Best Western Carpinteria Special Rate Offer

The Best Western Carpinteria is providing a reduced rate for families and friends of Pacifica graduates who are attending the 2026 Commencement ceremony. If you wish to book a room at the Best Western, we encourage you to use the link below.

• Please note that this is a personal booking, directly between the guest and the Best Western. Any changes to the booking would be handled directly by contacting the Best Western.
• When booking the room from the link below, it will default to three nights, you may edit your stay information before proceeding to check-out, and the reduced rate will apply to the dates selected.
• Rooms are available on a first come-first served basis, and there are a limited number of rooms at the reduced price. Please book early if you are planning on staying at the Best Western.
• CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO THE BEST WESTERN RESERVATION PAGE
• 4558 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, CA 93013 – (805) 684-0473

Summary of important dates and deadlines for participation in the 2026 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 2027 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 18 will not be eligible to participate in the ceremony, since regalia orders cannot be fulfilled after this date.)

May 4
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 7
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 7th. 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 19
All financial obligations must be satisfied by this date.

May 23
10:30 am – Commencement ceremony at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort at 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, CA 93103. (805) 564-4333

Summary of important dates and deadlines for participation in the 2026 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 2027 commencement ceremony.

3rd Session Winter Qtr
All items listed below must be submitted by third session of Winter quarter
(i.e., Track C – 3/8, Track W – 3/11, Track D – 3/15, Track V – 3/22):
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;
3) electronic thesis (and optional bound copy) must be submitted to your Research Associate

March 15
Track C and Track W – all required practicum documentation, including personal therapy completion must be received.

March 29
Track D and Track V – all required practicum documentation, including personal therapy completion must be received.Note: students who wish to participate in the 2026 commencement ceremony may not take Incompletes for winter quarter courses.

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 18 will not be eligible to participate in the ceremony, since regalia orders cannot be fulfilled after this date.)

April 21
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 19
All financial obligations must be satisfied by this date.

May 22
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.
Students who wish to present their thesis must contact Sheena Swearingen at sswearingen@pacifica.edu.

May 23
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