Ceremony Frequently Asked Questions

Applying for your diploma or certificate is simple. Submit an online application in Self-Service during your final term.

Submit an Application to Graduate

Note: Awards will be mailed to the address on file on September 15 (Summer grads),  February 15 (Fall grads) or July 15 (Spring grads).

Confirm your address in Self-Service

For questions or concerns regarding your graduation application, please contact ESgrading@msjc.edu. 

Not sure if you are eligible for a degree/certificate? Visit with a counselor for assistance.

Meet with a counselor (scroll down to “Counseling")

To view the status of your application, as well as any comments left for you by the Evaluations team:

1. Log in and navigate to your My Progress page,

2. Select the "Evaluation and Graduation Results" link located under the header "Program Notes."

Summer Deadline

July 31 - Deadline to apply for Summer 2025 degree/certificate

Fall Deadline

December 5 - Deadline to apply for Fall 2025 degree/certificate

Spring Deadlines
March 27 - Deadline to apply for Spring 2026 degree/certificate to ensure name will be included in the printed graduation program (applications submitted after this date will not appear in the program but graduates may still participate ("walk") in the spring commencement ceremony)

May 9 - Last day to apply for Spring 2026 degree/certificate (graduates submitting apps after this date are not eligible to participate ("walk") in the spring commencement ceremony)

Submit an Application to Graduate in Self-Service

Note: RSVPs to walk are required; details will be available at a later date.

Commencement is the ceremony that honors graduating students. 

Graduation means you've completed the requirements to earn a degree or certificate. 

Participating in the commencement ceremony is optional but encouraged as we'd love to celebrate your achievements!

To participate ("walk") in the upcoming commencement ceremony, eligible graduates must RSVP for one of four available ceremonies. 

• Wed., May 20th at 11:00 am
• Wed., May 20th at 4:00 pm
• Thurs., May 21st at 11:00 am
• Thurs., May 21st at 4:00 pm

RSVPs to open March 16th.

Note: eligible graduates include Summer 2025 graduates, Fall 2025 graduates and eligible Spring 2026 graduates (SP26 grads must have an approved graduation application or student petition on file).

Absolutely! Wether you choose to participate or not, we do not provide diplomas or certificates at the ceremony. 

Diplomas will be mailed to the address on file on September 15 (Summer grads),  February 15 (Fall grads) or July 15 (Spring grads).

Confirm your address in Self-Service

Students who choose to participate in the ceremony will receive one (1) blank diploma cover, regardless of how many degrees/certificates earned. 

Note: covers are not available for sale and are only provided to those who participate in the in person graduation ceremony.

MSJC is hosting four commencement ceremonies at The Summit located inside Pechanga Resort Casino at 45000 Pechanga Pkwy, Temecula 92592.

• Wed., May 20th at 11:00 am
• Wed., May 20th at 4:00 pm
• Thurs., May 21st at 11:00 am
• Thurs., May 21st at 4:00 pm

To participate/walk in the ceremony, graduates must RSVP. RSVPs open March 16th.

Due to space limitations, graduates may invite up to eight (8) guests (family/friends).

Guests do not need to RSVP and there are no tickets required for guests.

You may invite up to eight (8) guests (family and friends).

Please advise your guests of the following:

• Doors open 1.5 hours in advance
• The ceremony is 2 hours; please do not leave early
• Seating is 1st come, 1st served
• Seat saving is not allowed
• Once venue capacity is reached, doors will close and no additional parties will be allowed entry
• Children must be accompanied by an adult (not the graduate) at all times

Parking at Pechanga:

• Graduates and guests may use the complimentary self-parking in the North Parking Garage off of Pechanga Parkway or in the East Parking Garage off of Pechanga Resort Drive.
• Pechanga is an ADA compliant facility. Guests with mobility needs may take advantage of the resorts valet parking or park in designated handicap parking spaces in the parking garages.
• Valet parking is limited, and car retrieval times vary based on volume. Additionally, there is an out-of-pocket cost to utilize valet.
• Please allow sufficient time for parking and potential traffic delays.

Pechanga's Rules:

• No strollers
• No balloons
• No silly string, etc.
• No air horns
• No standing in aisles or against walls; guests who cannot find seats will be asked to exit the facility
• No smoking in the facility
• Do not leave any personal bags or backpacks unattended
• Once venue capacity is reached, doors will close and no additional parties will be allowed entry
• Service dogs (ADA Title III) are allowed however emotional support animals are not allowed

Guests are expected to comply with all Pechanga Resort Casino policies. The Pechanga Band of Indians is a federally recognized sovereign nation, and all guests must adhere to its rules and laws. Guests who do not comply with these policies may be asked to leave the facility.

All graduates attending Commencement are required to wear a cap & gown.

And thanks to the generosity of the MSJC Foundation, caps, gowns and tassels are free for RSVP'd/eligible grads. 

Commemorative sashes will be available for sale and are not included with the cap/gown/tassel.

Details on obtaining regalia and purchasing a sash will be available in April.

Note: caps/gowns/tassels are not available for sale and will only be provided to those who participate in the in-person Commencement ceremony.

Graduates from Summer 2025, Fall 2025, or Spring 2026 have the opportunity to audition to be a speaker at the upcoming commencement ceremony. 

Auditions are in person as follows:

San Jacinto Campus
Mon., April 13th, 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Bldg 4000, Rm 4105

Menifee Valley Campus
Tues., April 14th, 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Bldg 400, Rm 486

Temecula Valley Campus
Thurs., April 16th, 3:00 to 5:00 PM, 5th Floor, Rm 516

No reservations/sign ups required to audition. 

Please visit the Student Speaker Audition page for full details.

To audition to sing the Star Spangled Banner or Lift Every Voice and Sing, please contact Selena Paez-Mendez  at smendez@msjc.edu.

Note: songs must be a capella.

Graduates participating in the commencement ceremony will have two professional photos taken by GradImages. The first is a candid photo as you cross the stage and the second is a posed portrait, after you've walked off stage. You will receive a free passport-sized, full-color proof by email about five weeks after the ceremony. There is no obligation to purchase.

For 20% off your purchase of $50 or more, register in advance with GradImages: gradimages.com/Registration

Has it been five (5) weeks since the ceremony? Try searching for it at gradimages.com or contact GradImages' Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576. 

There is no rehearsal. 

Please review the information in the Commencement Newsletter and on our website, so you and your guests know what to expect.

The ceremony will be livestreamed!

This is a great way for additional family and friends to be part of your special day.

The livestream will begin about one (1) minute before the ceremony begins on the main Commencement website:

msjc.edu/commencement

We want to assist our graduates with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations at the ceremony.

If you need an accommodation, please disclose your need at the time of RSVP or contact Selena Paez-Mendez at (951) 639-5201 or smendez@msjc.edu.

Selena Paez-Mendez  
smendez@msjc.edu 
951-639-5201