Graduation

Trident University International’s annual Commencement Ceremony will be held virtually on Friday, July 22, 2022 at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, California (300 E Ocean Blvd #300, Long Beach, CA 90802). The start time of the ceremony is 5:00pm. Students should plan to arrive at the theater no later than 3:30pm.

Registration for the 2022 Commencement Ceremony is open from April 20-June 15, 2022.  RSVP TODAY!

For questions or cancellations please email commencement@trident.edu.

Will there be a virtual event option?
This year’s ceremony will be in person. There will be a livestream option for those unable to attend in Long Beach. We are looking at ways to incorporate our graduates participating virtually and will post opportunities once determined. As a reference, last year we requested tassel turn video submissions. We will likely request these again but will update FAQ’s prior to releasing the RSVP email.

Who is eligible to walk in the ceremony?
Any Trident University graduate who meets the following criteria is eligible to participate:

• Undergraduate or Graduate students: To participate in the Graduation Ceremony if you will complete your degree requirements on or before 10/2/2022 (final session is the August 8, 2022 Fastrac session or earlier).
• Doctoral students: To participate in the Graduation Ceremony, you must complete all of your degree requirements and successfully defend your dissertation by the end of the Spring 2022 session (July 3, 2022).

If a graduate completed their graduation requirements in a prior session and has already received degree clearance approval from the Registrar’s Office, they may participate in this or any future Trident University International Graduation Ceremony.

Degree Clearance: If the Office of the Registrar has not contacted you during the first month of your final session, please contact your Student Success Advisor. If you have a specific question about your eligibility, please email mydegreeplan@trident.edu.

How do I RSVP to participate and what do I need?
Graduates must RSVP by June 15, 2022, if they would like to participate in the graduation ceremony (if you do not RSVP, you will not be recognized).

What happens after I RSVP?
The Registrar’s Office will review your request to participate in the ceremony and ensure that you are eligible to walk this year. If they determine that you are eligible, they will send a confirmation to your Trident email address, so please be sure to check there. You will also receive an email confirming your reservation.

Are there other ways to participate virtually?
Yes! We are looking at ways to incorporate our graduates participating virtually and will post these opportunities soon. As a reference, last year we requested student speaker and tassel turn video submissions. We will likely request these again but will update FAQ’s prior to releasing the RSVP email.

I graduated in a previous year but could not attend at the time. Can I participate in this year’s virtual ceremony?
Yes. If you are a Trident graduate from a past year, we would be glad to have you join us to celebrate this year. Please keep in mind that any year-specific regalia (tassel, charms or stole of achievement) you order from our vendor this calendar year will state “2022.”

A cap and gown may be ordered here. Class sashes and honor cords (for graduates with a 3.4 or higher GPA) are also available through this independent vendor. Orders will be shipped directly to you.

When is the deadline for ordering regalia? For all bachelors, masters, and most doctoral students: Online regalia ordering must be completed by Friday, June 17th.
Doctoral students ONLY: Doctoral graduates who will be teaching at a university may wish to purchase higher quality regalia because they will be wearing it more than once in the coming years as they participate in commencement ceremonies each year. If a doctoral graduate is interested in made-to-order academic quality regalia, please contact commencement@trident.edu as soon as possible, with the understanding that this process can take up to two months.

I am graduating with a bachelors or associates degree. What regalia do I need to order? What extras can I order?
Your Cap & Gown package ($49.99) comes with a gown, cap, and tassel. All associate and bachelor graduates may, but do not need to, order the White Sash with Gold Trim ($46.95), which is worn around the shoulders with Trident’s seal and year of graduation embroidered on it. Those graduating with a GPA of 3.4 or higher may purchase the Gold Honor Cord ($15.00) if they so choose.

I am graduating with a masters degree. What regalia do I need to order? What extras can I order?
Your Cap & Gown package ($59.99) comes with a gown, cap, tassel, and masters hood. All Masters graduates may, but do not need to, order the White Sash with Gold Trim ($46.95), which is worn around the shoulders with Trident’s seal and year of graduation embroidered on it. Those graduating with a GPA of 3.4 or higher may purchase the Gold Honor Cord ($15.00) if they so choose.

I am graduating with a doctoral degree. What regalia do I need to order? What extras can I order?
Your Cap & Gown package ($69.99) comes with a gown, tam (doctoral cap), tassel, and doctoral hood. All Doctoral graduates may, but do not need to, order the Achievement Stole ($46.95), which is a sash worn around the shoulders with Trident’s seal and year of graduation embroidered on it. There is no Honors distinction among doctoral students, so the Gold Honors Cord should not be purchased.

What are Trident’s colors? What color should my regalia be?
Trident University’s school colors are navy blue and “old” gold. All Trident caps and gowns are navy blue. Masters and doctoral hoods are black on one side with navy blue and old gold panels and a velvet strip of material in the color of the graduate’s degree / discipline.

Can I decorate the top of my mortarboard cap?
Yes, so long as the decoration is limited to the top of the cap, is not distracting or cumbersome, and is family-friendly.

Can I wear a fraternity/sorority sash or cord with my Trident regalia?
Yes, so long as it does not obscure any Trident regalia pieces such as the hood or stole of achievement, which should always remain on top.

You can place an online order for your Trident class ring. If you have any questions about your ring order, please contact our representative, Ms. Maryann Bettendorf, at 657-220-5038 or mabettendorf@yahoo.com.

You can place an online order for your Trident Graduation announcements and invitations. If you have questions, call 800-433-0296.

You can place an online order for frames for your diploma or graduation photographs.

How do I order tickets?
There are no tickets for this event and seating will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. We ask that you limit your guest list to seven or less, to allow the opportunity for all graduates to have guests in attendance to celebrate their academic achievement. All Graduates have the opportunity to reserve up to 7 guest seats when registering for the event. We will use this submission to gauge audience size against capacity. If there is additional seating available after the RSVP window closes, graduates who indicated they would like additional seats via a waitlist, will be contacted.

How many guests can I invite?
Each graduate has the opportunity to reserve up to 7 seats for family and friends when they submit an RSVP

Does the graduating student need a ticket?
The graduating student does not need a ticket.

Is seating assigned?
No. This year’s event is general admission. Each graduate can invite up to 7 guests.

I need special accommodations for myself or a guest.
If you need special accommodations for yourself or guests, please contact Commencement@trident.edu as soon as possible.

I am bringing an infant or small child. Do they need a ticket?
Yes. Every patron must have a ticket, regardless of age and even if they are not occupying their own seat. Please note that California fire code regulations stipulate that no strollers can be taken inside of the theater. There will be a reserved space in the lobby for stroller parking.

Can I request more than 7 guest seats?
If you would like to request additional seats, please indicate this on your RSVP form. Once we know how many seats are reserved based on house capacity, we will inform those in need of additional seating that it is available. We cannot guarantee that additional tickets will be granted, but, if possible, we will work to accommodate on a first-come, first-serve basis.

What do I do if I need to change my guest count?
Please contact Commencement@trident.edu as soon as possible.

Will there be a place for me to keep my purse / bag / other belongings if I am walking in the ceremony?
No, there will not be a secure location for you to leave your belongings while you are walking in and attending the ceremony. We ask that you leave any belongings with your guests so that you do not have to carry them in the procession.

Where can I park at the Long Beach Terrace Theater? How much does it cost to park there?
Parking is $15 per car per entry to any of the Center’s lots. Options can be found here: https://www.longbeachcc.com/directions-parking/

What does the $150 Graduation Fee pay for?
The Graduation Fee is not related to the Commencement Ceremony. This fee covers costs associated with graduation processing. For example, completing the degree verification, updating external portals, and issuing a diploma and transcript. Please note that no diplomas will be awarded at the Commencement Ceremony – instead, you will receive your diploma and transcript in the mail after your degree audit has been completed.

How long does it take for my diploma to be mailed to me, do I have to wait until the commencement ceremony in July before it can be sent?
Normal delivery time is approximately 8 weeks from the end of the final session. However, from March to July our vendor experiences high volumes of diploma orders, so the delivery time may be extended to 10 weeks and rush requests are not permitted during this time.

Is there a digital version that can be emailed to me prior to receiving the printed version?
Yes, we send an electronic copy of your diploma to your primary personal email when we place the order for your physical copy. This occurs 4-6 weeks from the date grades post for your final session.  If a previous graduate from Trident wants to order a digital copy, they can do so via Parchment for a nominal fee. All initial and duplicate diplomas moving forward will be from Trident University International with the current American InterContinental University System administration.

Will there be professional photography?
Yes, professional photographs will be taken during the Graduation Ceremony by Grad Images and made available to you to order online afterward. Please note that to maintain the formality of the Graduation Ceremony, guests are asked to remain seated. Also, only non-flash photography and video recordings on handheld devices will be allowed during the ceremony.

Long Beach is a waterfront playground located right in the heart of Southern California. Here you can experience it all: a deep-sea adventure at the Aquarium of the Pacific, whale watching on the water, shopping in one of the city’s many unique districts, a tour of coastal breweries, a vibrant foodie scene, and so much more.

Visit the following webpage for nearby activities and accommodations: https://www.visitlongbeach.com/things-to-do/

We are currently working to secure a group rate at a hotel walking distance from the theater. We will share this information once finalized.

The current Health Order by the City of Long Beach mandates that all patrons 2 years of age and up attending an indoor event with 1,000 or more people and outdoor events with 10,000 or more people must show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (14 days after single dose of Johnson & Johnson or after a second dose of Moderna or Pfizer). Alternatively, the attendee may show proof of a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours of the event’s start, or 48 hours for a PCR test. Acceptable forms of proof of a negative COVID-19 test result include (a) photo identification of the attendee AND (b) either of the following – a printed document from the test provider or laboratory OR an email or text message displayed on a phone from the test provider or laboratory. The test result should include the person’s name, type of test performed, and negative test result; the date of the test must be within the timeframes listed in this subsection. Masks are strongly recommended indoors for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. For the latest information, visit the venue’s website here: https://www.longbeachcc.com/attendees/#jlcovid-19-protocols

While regulations may change by July 22nd, as of 3/1/22, the city of Long Beach health orders state:

• No face masks required while indoors – recommended only
• Proof of vaccination or a negative covid test (PCR 48 hours or Rapid 24 hours prior to start of event) required
• For the latest information visit: https://www.longbeachcc.com/attendees/#jlcovid-19-protocols