Livestream

The ceremony will be livestreamed and available on the day of the event for family and friends who are unable to attend in person. This provides an opportunity to celebrate with your graduate from anywhere.

Guest Arrival

Guests can start seating inside the stadium at 2:00 PM. We recommend that all guests are seated by 4:30 PM to ensure your presence at the start of the ceremony. Students will enter the Stadium promptly at 5:00 PM. To provide additional insight into the day, please watch the Guest Commencement Overview video.

Tickets and Seating

• Due to stadium capacity, the number of guest tickets per graduate will depend on graduate RSVPs.
• We will be allocated 3 tickets upon registration for the event; graduates will be able to add their name to a guest ticket waitlist during registration.
• An email has been sent to eligible graduates with information on how to RSVP and reserve guest tickets.
• Tickets will be required for all guests including those guests working with the DRC and children over two years of age.
• Commencement is held at the Football Stadium with stadium seating.
• Seating is limited and out of respect for all we ask that guests do not save seats.

Parking is Free

• Please park in lots 3, 5, 9 and lot 12.
• Disabled parking is available in Lot 1 & 2 for those who have a DMV approved placard or license plate.

Length of Ceremony

The length of the ceremony is dependent upon several variables; however, it is generally around 2 hours.  We ask that out of respect for all graduates that you stay until the ceremony is completed.

Security & Entry Information

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration for everyone, security screening will be in place before entering the commencement venue. We encourage guests to arrive early to allow time for screening. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our campus community safe.

Prohibited Items

1. Bags or backpacks larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″
2. Balloons, banners, signs, or large umbrellas that may obstruct the view of others
3. Firearms or weapons (including replicas of weapons), aerosols, mace, pepper spray, or any sharp and/or pointed objects such as scissors or knitting needles
4. Alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco, vapes, and/or smoke products
5. Noisemakers and voice-enhancement devices, such as bullhorns, air horns, whistles, or drums
6. Automated or remote-controlled aircrafts or drones
7. Balls, frisbees, whole fruit, or any other potential projectiles
8. Laser lights or laser pointers
9. Glitter or confetti
10. Explosives or fireworks
11. Leatherman or similar tools
12. Portable or folding chairs (chairs will be provided)
13. Tripods for cameras

Anyone with these prohibited items will be asked to return them to their vehicle and/or dispose of them before entering the commencement venue.

If you need immediate police or medical assistance, locate the nearest phone or have a nearby person call police dispatch at (760) 891-7273 or extension 2289 from a College phone.

To help you prepare for the ceremony, we have created a short video with important event details:

Watch the Commencement Information Video

The video includes information about:

• Student check-in
• What to expect during the ceremony
• Regalia guidelines
• Guest seating and parking
• Accessibility and accommodations

Graduate Arrival

Park in the parking structure located in Lot 12

Arrive Early

Friday, May 22: Check-in at the Dome at 2pm no later than 3:30pm in your Academic Regalia.
When you arrive at the Dome, there will be a QR code to scan for your check-in.  We will have back-up if you don’t have a phone or your phone cannot scan

NOTE: All participants must check-in. Instructions will be explained to all participating graduates in detail while inside the Dome.

Dress Code

Official cap and gown are required for participation. Selected adornments such as honor and program stoles and cords and flower leis, may be worn with cap and gown during ceremony.

Personal Belongings

You will be responsible for any personal items you bring. Palomar College will not hold, store or be responsible for any personal items.

Length of Ceremony

The Commencement ceremony is generally under 2 hours.  We ask that out of respect for all graduates that you stay until the ceremony is completed.

Prohibited Items

1. Bags or backpacks larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″
2. Balloons, banners, signs, or large umbrellas that may obstruct the view of others
3. Firearms or weapons (including replicas of weapons), aerosols, mace, pepper spray, or any sharp and/or pointed objects such as scissors or knitting needles
4. Alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco, vapes, and/or smoke products
5. Noisemakers and voice-enhancement devices, such as bullhorns, air horns, whistles, or drums
6. Automated or remote-controlled aircrafts or drones
7. Balls, frisbees, whole fruit, or any other potential projectiles
8. Laser lights or laser pointers
9. Glitter or confetti
10. Explosives or fireworks
11. Leatherman or similar tools
12. Portable or folding chairs (chairs will be provided)
13. Tripods for cameras

Anyone with these prohibited items will be asked to return them to their vehicle and/or dispose of them before entering Dome.

Graduates Requesting Accommodations for Themselves or Guests

Commencement is held in the new Football Stadium and is wheelchair accessible. ASL interpretation and real-time captioning will be provided for the Commencement ceremony.

If you are a student who needs an accommodation for Commencement (e.g., mobility needs, accessibility support), please contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@palomar.edu or call (760) 744-1150, ext. 2375 as soon as possible.

Disabled Parking

Graduates and guests with a DMV-approved placard or license plate may park in parking lot 1 & 2 located in front of the football field.

Guests with Disabilities

All guests will require a ticket for entry including guests who are coordinating with the Disability Resource Center. There is a designated seating area for Hard-of-Hearing Guests (with interpreters) located on the west side of the Commencement ceremony field. Please check-in with our Accessibility Assistance Booth if assistance is needed.

Live captions will be provided for this event and will be viewable from the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Guest Seating Area.

Before Commencement Day

Purchasing Regalia

Graduates may purchase their cap and gown from the Bookstore now in-store at the San Marcos Campus or online at PalomarStore.com.

How to wear Your Regalia

Regalia should be always worn properly during the Ceremony GOWN: Have your gown pressed (cool iron only). Gowns should be zipped up at all times during the ceremony.

CAP:  The cap should be worn straight and pulled down over the forehead. You may need to use bobby pins to keep your cap on. Caps should also be worn at all times during the ceremony, except during the National Anthem (men). The tassel should be draped over the left front quarter of the cap. 

If you are borrowing regalia from a sibling or friend, please make sure it matches the black cap and gowns that are sold at the bookstore.

Commencement Day Dress Code

Wear Proper Footwear

Seriously, wear the proper footwear! You will be standing for a period of time and you will be walking on potentially uneven ground. For your safety, graduates are strongly urged not to wear high heels. Wedge heels and flats are highly recommended.

Decorating your Cap

Graduates are allowed to decorate their caps for the ceremony.

Cords, Medals, and Sashes

If the graduate earned an honors cord, medal, and/or sash during the time they attended Palomar College (for example Puente, Phi Theta Kappa, UMOJA, and Veterans, etc) they are more than welcome to wear those items.

You do not need to participate in the commencement ceremony in order to receive your diploma or certificate – additional ‘frequently asked questions’ are below.

Diploma Name

Your diploma/certificate will include your Preferred Name as it appears in MyPalomar. You may view the name that will be included by logging into your MyPalomar account.

Diploma Address

Your diploma/certificate will be sent to your mailing address as listed in Palomar College MyPalomar. If you have an address change, you must update your mailing address in your student MyPalomar account.  We do not assume responsibility for degrees and/or certificates sent to the wrong address. Duplicate diplomas may be purchased through the Evaluations Office. There is a charge of $15.00 each per duplicate diploma or certificate.

When will I get my diploma?

Diplomas and/or Certificates for graduates will be mailed approximately four weeks after your degree has been awarded in MyPalomar. Please note, due to the large size of the graduating class, degree applications can take several months to process and award.  To check if your degree has been awarded, log into MyPalomar and view your Unofficial Transcript. To view your Unofficial Transcript go to your Student Center and on the “Other Academic” dropdown menu towards the bottom of the page select “Transcript: View Unofficial.” Click the arrow button. Select eServices and click “Go.”

For any questions regarding your Certificate or Diploma please contact:

• San Marcos Campus Location: SSC Building 1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos, CA 92069
• Records Department: Email: records@palomar.edu, Phone: (760) 744-1150, ext. 2169
• Evaluations Department Email: evaluations@palomar.edu, Phone: (760) 744-1150, ext. 2165

Please park in the Parking Structure located in Lot 12.  View the San Marcos campus map.

Disabled parking is available in Lot 1 & 2 for those who have a DMV approved placard or license plate.

The Commencement Ceremony will be held at the new Football Stadium on the corner of Mission Road and Comet Circle East.  ALL Parking will be directed to the Parking Structure in Lot 12 or Lot 1 and 2 if ADA parking is required.

The Commencement Group

Pre-order Bouquet’s, Lei’s, and more to be available for pickup on-site the day of graduation before the ceremony, place your pre-order here.

Jostens

Looking to order Announcements for your big day? Palomar College Announcements & Rings

If you are ordering announcements, rings, or other graduation items from Jostens, please be aware that this is not done through Palomar College or the Palomar College Bookstore.
All purchases through Jostens are independent of the College.

Date:  April 16, 2026
Time:  10:00 am – 3:00 p.m.
Location:   SU Quad Area and in front of the Bookstore

Your Big Day is Almost Here

Visit the different Campus program tables and Bookstore to ask all graduation-related questions while picking up your grad attire and swag to look your best on your big day.

To have your preferred name (or Lived Name) reflected in the Program, please ensure your name is officially updated by the first week of April with Enrollment Services. Contact information for Enrollment Services can be found on the Preferred Name Policy page.

Palomar College has established a preferred first and/or middle name policy that allows eligible students, faculty and staff to indicate their preferred first name to the college community regardless of whether they have legally changed their name.

It is the policy of Palomar College that any faculty, staff, or student may choose to identify themselves within the college community with a preferred first and/or middle name that differs from their legal name.

If the use of the preferred first and/or middle name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation, it will appear instead of the person’s legal name in college related systems and documents except where the use of the legal name is required by college business or legal need.

Please review frequently asked questions regarding our policy.