Spring 2026 Eligible Graduates and RSVP
Eligible graduates for spring 2026 commencement are:
- Students completing their degree at the end of the spring 2026 term and have a graduation application on file with the Office of the Registrar. Check out the Summer 2026 Graduates Commencement Checklist to guide you through the process and review important deadlines.
- Graduates who didn't participate in the fall 2025 commencement; and
- Summer 2026 graduates who have a graduation application on file by the commencement RSVP deadline date and have submitted their proof of summer course(s) enrollment to the Commencement Office via email commencement@csub.edu.
The RSVP for spring commencement will open in mid-March 2026. Information will be sent to campus students in late February about spring commencement.
Cap Decorating Contest and Cap and Gown Purchase
Cap and Gown Packages
Cap and Gown Packages only available at the CSUB bookstore at the Bakersfield Campus only while supplies last. Bookstore hours are Monday-Thursday, 9am - 6pm and Friday, 9am - 2pm. Bookstore phone number is 661-654-2273.Cap Decorating Contest
The cap decorating contest will open on Thursday, April 23rd.
Commencement Class of 2026 Shirts and Items
Pre-order your Class of 2026 shirts, flowers, and commemorative necklace with The Commencement Group. Items will be picked up at the ceremony. Click here to pre-order your commencement items!*For graduates who were added after the deadline of April 20, those names won't be included on the t-shirts.
Social Media Templates
Use #CSUB2026 and #CSUBGrad to get your picture on the big screen as guests arrive at commencement. Visit Commencement Wallpapers to download a social media grad template to share on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter).
What's the Difference Between Graduation and Commencement?
Graduation
Graduation is the completion and awarding of your degree and mailing of your diploma. This is overseen by the Office of the Registrar. The Office of the Registrar can assist students with:
- Changing their graduation application term
- Instructions on how to submit their online graduation application
Graduation Application Fee
The graduation application fee is paid online or to the cashier's office. The fee
is used to process your graduation application, and processing, printing and mailing
of your diploma. The fee is not associated with commencement.
To contact the Office of the Registrar, email graduation@csub.edu.
Commencement
Commencement is the celebration of your academic achievement of earning a degree in higher education. The commencement ceremonies are overseen by the Commencement Office. The Commencement Office can assist students with:
- Ceremony questions
- Services provided at the ceremonies
- Cap and gown questions
- Recognition and cultural ceremonies
Commencement Fee
There is no fee to participate in commencement. Graduates are required to wear a cap
and gown to participate in the ceremony.
For information about commencement, email commencement@csub.edu.
Online Graduation Application
Students are eligible for commencement by having an approved graduation application on file with the Office of the Registrar by the graduation application deadline with the current semester's term. Students who have submitted a graduation application after the deadline must ensure the late-submitted graduation application has the correct term to participate in commencement.