Public Health majors should begin planning for graduation and Commencement during their second year in the major (or senior year at UCLA, if they were admitted to the major during Fall Quarter of their second year).

Graduation and Commencement: What is the difference?

Graduation refers to completion of degree requirements, including: coursework, units, scholarship (GPA), and residency requirements. Commencement refers to the events that UCLA hosts each June to celebrate graduates. Students may participate in Commencement prior to graduating; if you are finishing your degree requirements during Summer Sessions 2026, for example, you would walk in the June 2026 Commencement ceremony and graduate in September 2026.

Degree Expected Term/Degree Candidacy Term

The term in which you will complete all degree requirements is called your degree expected term, or degree candidacy term. Your degree expected term is automatically declared for Spring Quarter of your fourth year (if you entered UCLA as a freshman). You can change your degree expected term to declare candidacy before your default degree expected term, or in Summer following your default degree expected term, via MyUCLA >  Academics > Academic Profile > Declare Candidacy Term. If you need to extend your degree expected term beyond Summer following your default degree expected term, please speak with an academic advisor regarding your circumstances.

Public Health Graduation and Commencement Guide

Please review the FSPH Office of Undergraduate Student Services Graduation and Commencement Guide. The checklist items are also summarized below for your convenience.

UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Senior Survey

Graduating seniors should expect to receive an email with the link to complete the FSPH Senior Survey in early Spring 2026.

Commencement

FSPH hosts a School-wide Commencement ceremony each June during Commencement weekend.  The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health will announce all Commencement information through the Commencement Website: ph.ucla.edu/commencement. You can also check the UCLA Commencement website for dates/times for other celebrations. 

NOTE:  The FSPH Commencement ceremony  is separate from the College Commencement ceremony. Public Health majors do not participate in the College Commencement ceremony.

For detailed information, please review the FSPH Office of Undergraduate Student Services Graduation and Commencement Guide.