If you are planning to participate in the upcoming May 2025 commencement exercises and celebrations, please read forward to make sure you have all the information and completed the steps necessary to take part in the events.
The Application for Graduation is not optional. Applications for Graduation must be filed with the Registrar three semesters in advance of the anticipated semester of graduation for undergraduates (two semesters for graduate students). Please check with the Business Office to see if you need to pay the graduation fee prior to filing the Application for Graduation. An official evaluation of your progress toward the degree and any remaining deficiencies will be mailed to you within six to eight weeks from receipt of the application. If you are planning to participate in the May ceremony and have not petitioned to graduate, you must do so IMMEDIATELY.
If you have applied for graduation and will complete ALL your degree requirements by the end of the Spring semester 2025 (or have already completed Summer 2024 or Fall 2024), you will receive an invitation to participate in the commencement exercises.
You need to petition to participate if you will not have completed all requirements by the end of the Spring 2025 semester. (All transcripts and letters of verification must have been submitted.) This petition is available to undergraduate students who will be deficient in 12 units and graduate students who will be deficient in 9 units at the end of Spring 2025. If you have more than the stipulated number of units to complete after Spring 2025 you are not eligible to “walk” at Commencement.
In addition to course requirements, your work experience verification letter must be approved by your department and submitted to the Registrar’s Office.
You will need to have that enrollment verified in writing by the institution you are attending and submit it to the Registrar’s Office.
Questions regarding these policies should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.
The following are frequently asked questions pertaining to the Commencement 2025 Academic Success and Advising.
Depending on your program of study, you will need to satisfy the minimum total units for your degree, which includes required general education courses, major courses, and unrestricted electives.
A minimum of 120 semester units of degree credit is required for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees. A minimum of 120 semester units of degree credit is required for Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degrees. A minimum of 123–128 semester units are required for Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees. The minimum for the Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree is 160 units. The number of elective units may vary depending on circumstances; however, there are no exceptions to this minimum-unit policy for graduation.
Students should follow their degree progress each semester via their Academic Plan on Self-Service. If there are any discrepancies or unassigned and completed courses on your Plan, students may check their unofficial transcript to verify completion of the course. In consultation with their assigned academic advisor, they may compare the requirements within your Academic Worksheet to determine the remaining courses for your degree.
Yes, students may participate in the Commencement Ceremony if they meet certain conditions. A petition is required from the Registrar’s Office to “walk” in Commencement. Undergraduate students can be deficient up to twelve (12) units, and graduate students can be deficient up to nine (9) units at the end of the spring semester. Students must be registered for the remaining units to be completed in Summer 2025 or Fall 2025. No exceptions will be made. Students must have filed their application for graduation and been evaluated. Students must have completed all general education unit requirements to participate in the ceremony. Honors at the graduation ceremony will not be available to students with the above deficiencies.
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required for graduation. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation from the graduate Programs.
Applications for graduation should be filed with the Registrar’s Office three semesters in advance of the anticipated semester of graduation. Students will be assessed a $200 Graduation Fee. The fee must be paid prior to filing the application. An official evaluation of the student’s progress toward the degree will be completed by the registrar.
Students who maintain a high scholastic average are eligible for graduation with honors. These honors are bestowed according to the following cumulative numerical grade point averages: Cum Laude (3.5 to 3.69), Magna Cum Laude (3.7 to 3.89), Summa Cum Laude (3.90 and above).
Students must meet all requirements to graduate. If a student participates in the Commencement Ceremony and has outstanding requirements for their degree, they must finish them during the Summer and/or Fall terms immediately following. Diplomas and/or official transcripts will not be available until all degree requirements are completed.
While it’s strongly recommended to resolve any holds before participating in Commencement, you can still walk in the ceremony as long as you meet the graduation requirements. To check for holds, log in to Self-Service and review any issues listed. If you find a hold, please contact the appropriate office (e.g., Business Office, Registrar, etc.) to resolve it. However, be aware that if you have any outstanding holds, you will not receive your diploma until they are cleared, even if you participate in the ceremony.
The following are frequently asked questions pertaining to the logistics of Woodbury’s Commencement Ceremony taking place on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
The ceremony for all graduates and undergraduate students will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in the Alumni Quad. The ceremony will begin promptly at 9:00 am and will end at approximately 12:00 pm. All graduates should arrive on campus and check in no later than 7:30 am. Once on campus, follow the signs and proceed to the designated check-in station.
Seating will begin at 7:00a.m. To enjoy this momentous occasion safely and successfully, please note that seats cannot be reserved for families and guests. Please make sure your entire party has arrived prior to entry as there are a limited number of seats available within the Alumni Quad. Once the Alumni Quad is full, overflow seating will be available where guests can view the ceremony via live feed or Woody’s Patio. During the ceremony, standing in the aisles and obstructing views is prohibited.
Requests for disabled guest seating and parking are available online beginning Monday, March 10th. Space is limited and available on a first-served basis. Requests should be submitted by Monday, May 5, 2025. Please note that only one-person can sit with the person needing the accommodations.
The ceremony will be held on campus in the Alumni Quad. The address is 7500 North Glenoaks Blvd. The University is located off the Interstate 5 freeway. The two exits that will lead you to campus are Buena Vista and Hollywood Way. Directions from your location are available from Google Maps and MapQuest.
On-campus parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The only reserved parking on campus will be for our disabled guests. Please note that stretch limousines, RVs and other oversized vehicles will not be permitted on campus on Commencement Day. Parking is not permitted in the 7-Eleven, Hill Street Café, or any other unauthorized parking lots. Information regarding overflow parking sites will be posted on the University’s website in late April.
Yes, Commencement Group will be on site the day of graduation. You can save time by pre-ordering floral arrangements online at http://bit.ly/32w06Fz, and click on the pre-order button link.
Hired photographers are not permitted in graduate holding areas or other restricted areas. Professional ceremony photos will be taken by Ultimate Exposures. Group photos will be available by request after the ceremony. Proof of any photos will be sent directly to your home by the photographer. For more information, contact Ultimate Exposures by phone (818) 781-9530 or visit their webpage www.ultimateexposures.com.
Pets (service animals acceptable) or balloon arrangements WILL NOT BE PERMITTED beyond the check-in point. Please let your family and friends know that these items are not allowable in the venue until commencement is over.
For safety reasons, students are not permitted to take photographs while on stage during the commencement ceremony. We have prepared a dedicated Commencement Photo Background located just past the stage exit. This area has been thoughtfully designed to help you capture your treasured moments after the ceremony concludes.
Smoking or vaping is not permitted on campus.
Yes, there are hotels in Burbank. Woodbury University have negotiated special rates for graduates and their guests at the following hotel. Click on the link below.
Hotel: Hampton Inn and Suites Los Angeles Burbank Airport
7501 N. Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91504
(818) 768-1106
Hotel: Cambria Hotel Burbank Airport
3501 N. San Fernando Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 351-7157
For more information, please visit: woodbury.edu/Commencement.
The following are frequently asked questions pertaining to the Financial Aid Office and Commencement 2025.
You can begin repaying your federal student loans after completing the Federal Loan Exit Counseling. To get started, refer to the Direct Loan Exit Counseling Guide for detailed instructions on the exit counseling process and guidance on selecting the right repayment plan for you.
We’ve partnered with ECMC Solutions to offer free federal student loan repayment counseling to all Woodbury students. To get started, simply refer to the ECMC Solutions Road to Repayment flyer to schedule your appointment.
Yes, you can! To qualify for summer financial aid, undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 units, while graduate students need a minimum of 3 units. For more details, please refer to the Summer Financial Aid flyer.
For more information, you can visit the Financial Aid website or reach out to the Woodbury Financial Aid Office at:
Phone: 818-252-5273
Email: [email protected]
Office Location: Miller Hall, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The following are frequently asked questions pertaining to the Business Office and Commencement 2025.
Payment in full and/or payment arrangements for Spring 2025 are due upon assessment and no later than the first day of school on Monday January 13, 2025.
The Business Office offers several ways for students to pay their tuition. Payments can be made online via your Self-Service account, in person at the Business Office, over the phone, or by mail. We accept cash, check, wire-transfer or ACH, credit/debit card (MasterCard®, Visa®, and American Express®).
The Business Office offers a deferred payment plan to students who are unable to pay their tuition in full on the due date. You must sign a contract to be eligible for this plan. There is a $100.00 deferred payment fee charged if you choose this pay plan. This action needed to be completed prior to the start of the Spring semester.
You can contact Financial Aid Office at [email protected] or 1-818-252-5273
For details on wire transfers, payment fees, and processes, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions document provided by the Business Office.
The following are frequently asked questions pertaining to the Graduate Admissions Department at Woodbury University.
Woodbury offers the following graduate programs:
You can apply through the online portal. Be sure to use the Prospective Graduate Student Checklist to ensure that you have met all the application requirements.
Perspective students may begin applying during their senior year in college. However, to be admitted, you must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution must be earned by the time of matriculation.
The application deadline differs for each program:
You can contact the Woodbury Admissions Office at:
The following are frequently asked questions pertaining to the Alumni Association at Woodbury University.
Being an alumni of Woodbury University means becoming part of a lifelong community of graduates who are connected to one another and to the institution. Our goal is to foster alumni engagement, generate financial support, and promote the university’s positive image. We work closely with alumni to celebrate their accomplishments, create networking opportunities, and encourage continued involvement with the university.
Woodbury University, in collaboration with the University of Redlands, offers a variety of benefits to its alumni. You can learn more about these benefits through the Alumni Benefits hand-out. To get started, be sure to update your contact information so that you can receive your membership card, which grants you access to all alumni benefits.
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You can connect with fellow alumni by joining the Woodbury Connect platform. This platform is designed to help you network and engage with the Woodbury alumni community.
For more information about alumni relations at Woodbury, visit the Alumni Relations webpage. If you have specific questions, feel free to contact Sharon Townsend, Senior Director of Development and Alumni Affairs, at [email protected].
The following are frequently asked questions pertaining to Career Services for Commencement 2025.
The average time for a college graduate to find a job is 3 to 6 months. Start your search as soon as you can!
Each student can have the following support from the career services office:
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After graduation, career services continue to support alumni by offering access to job search resources, career advising, and professional development events.
No, all services are free to alumni
Email [email protected] or schedule directly on Handshake.
April 12 = Grad Fair, Alumni Quad
May 3 = Architecture Critiques, Woodbury campus
May 8 = Animation and Film Screenings, Laemmle Glendale
May 8 = Fashion Show, The Alex Theatre Glendale
May 9 = MADE Celebration and Exhibitions, Woodbury campus