Commencement 2023

Congratulations, 2023 Graduates!

Welcome to the Pacifica Graduate Institute Commencement Information Page

Saturday, May 27, 2023

10:30 am-12:30 pm (reception to follow 12:30 pm -2:00 pm)

We would like to take a moment to congratulate all 2023 graduates on the completion of their graduate degree here at Pacifica Graduate Institute. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that you have devoted to your journey here with us. We acknowledge and appreciate all of the patience and steadfastness in each student as we navigated through the uncertainties and challenges of the last few years. May the heart and soul of Pacifica carry through to the next chapter of your life and into the work that you will be doing out in the world.

We look forward to hosting all 2023 graduates, as well as loved ones, on Saturday, May 27, 2023
at the Hilton Beachfront Resort in Santa Barbara, CA.

The Hilton Beachfront Resort is located at 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103.

The Commencement Ceremony will begin at 10:30am with a reception immediately following in the courtyard area of the hotel. Graduates are expected to arrive to the hotel between 8:30-9:30am to gown.

Graduates and their guests are responsible for their own lodging during Commencement weekend. There will be no rooms available on the Ladera Lane campus.

Graduates and current students who could be on track to complete all degree requirements by the necessary deadlines for this year’s commencement ceremony can expect to hear from the Registrar’s Office in February regarding Commencement Eligibility Requirements and Deadlines.

Commencement Ceremony Live Streaming

May 27, 2023 10:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

The Commencement Ceremony will be Live Streamed. Please register with the link below to gain access to the Live Stream.

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dvlfNboyQty0HxPxzEmlzQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Commencement Logistics and Details

Graduates, please arrive between 8:30 am and 9:30 am for gowning. Parking is open at the hotel, but please allow time to find a parking space as it is a busy area and a holiday weekend.

As you enter the lobby from the main parking lot, staff will be there to greet you to the Santa Rosa room, where you will check-in, and receive your name card and your gown. Other guests will be directed to the Ballroom.

At 10 am gradates will need to line up in the side hallway next to the ballroom. Staff will be present to assist.

The ceremony will begin at 10:30 am, with the graduates entering the room in formation.

Following the conclusion of the ceremony, diplomas will be distributed at tables divided by several individuals and sorted by last name. There will be a photo op area directly outside, across from the ballroom. Please return gowns back to the Santa Rosa room prior to making your way to the reception, which will be held from approximately 12:30-2pm, light appetizers and Champaign will be served.

For any additional questions, please email GuestServices@Pacifica.edu

Summary of important dates and deadlines for participation in the 2023 Commencement ceremony for all programs except Counseling:

May 3, 2023
Ph.D./Psy.D. candidates: to participate in the ceremony, your dissertation oral defense must be completed by this date.  (Please keep in mind that the defense calendar fills up quickly during this time of year.)

May 6, 2023
To participate in the ceremony, the Registrar’s Office must have documentation that all M.A. or Ph.D. degree requirements have been satisfied (therefore, all final course grades, any outstanding Incomplete, Tutorial and Independent Study grades, approved internship, therapy or depth transformative hours and documented completion of dissertation edits and oral defense must be received in the Registrar’s Office).

May 22, 2023
All financial obligations must be satisfied by this date.

May 27, 2023 (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. Graduates are expected to arrive between 8:30 am -9:30 am to gown.

Summary of important M.A. Counseling program dates and deadlines for participation in the 2023 Commencement ceremony:

3^rd Session Winter Qtr.

1) all winter quarter coursework must be submitted to your instructors and
2) the electronic and bound copies of your thesis must be submitted to your
Research Coordinator by third session winter quarter:

(i.e., Track C – 3/12, Track W – 3/15, Track D – 3/19,
Track V – 3/26)

Note: students who wish to participate in the 2023 commencement ceremony may not take Incompletes for winter quarter courses.

March 17, 2023
All required practicum documentation, including personal therapy must be received.

April 3, 2023
Deadline to return Commencement and Diploma Form.

April 20, 2023
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 22, 2023
All financial obligations must be satisfied by this date.

May 26, 2023
Thesis Presentation Day

May 27, 2023 (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. Graduates are expected to arrive between 8:30 am – 9:30 am to gown.

Thesis Presentations for Counseling Graduates

The Counseling Psychology Department looks forward to celebrating our graduating students’ research work at our Thesis Presentation Day in person on Friday, May 26th. This time-honored tradition provides ritual space for graduates to share the scope of their meaningful thesis work with the larger Pacifica community. The Counseling Psychology Research Team will be closely in touch with graduating students ahead of the event and will share all event details via email. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Director of Research, Gioia Jacobson (gjacobson@pacifica.edu), or Research Coordinator, Ashley Lowe (alowe@pacifica.edu), with any questions.

M.A. Counseling Commencement and Diploma Order Form

Registrar Commencement Letter

Commencement and Diploma Order Form for All Other Programs

Registrar Commencement Letter

Important Contact Information