MDes2025 Cohort Graduation

We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our fifth Berkeley MDes cohort at their commencement in December 2025. On this page you will find important resources and key dates for commencement events; check back for more details as they are confirmed.

A recording of the livestream will be shared with students after the event.

EVENTS SCHEDULE

Graduates, for more information on other end of semester dates and activities, check your MDes2025 Cohort Calendar.

DIRECTIONS

The MDes Graduation will be held at the International House Chevron Auditorium at 2299 Piedmont Ave, Berkeley, CA 94720. The entrance to the Chevron Auditorium is to the left of the front doors to the International House.

Closest parking garage is the Stadium Garage. See I-House location webpage for additional parking and public transportation information.

For more information about visitor parking, see the visitor parking map or visit Berkeley Parking & Transportation website.  Visitor parking rates will be posted in the parking lots and are also on the P&T website.

FAQ

What time do MDes graduates need to be at MDes Graduation?

MDes graduates must arrive at the I-House Chevron Auditorium by 12:00pm for a graduation ceremony run through.

What time can guests arrive at MDes Graduation?

The I-House Chevron Auditorium will open for guest seating at 12:30pm. You can mingle with family until students gather at 12:45pm in preparation for the graduation processional.

How many guests can I have for MDes Graduation?

Is there ADA access for guests?

Yes, the commencement venue has ADA seating and an elevator for guests with mobility issues. The reception venue also has ADA access.

Unfortunately, UC Berkeley does not offer have any wheelchair loan or rental services, but the UCB Disability Access & Compliance office recommends Johnston Medical for wheelchair rental.

Guests can also refer to these campus access maps from UCB Disability Access & Compliance; they are designed to assist individuals with disabilities navigate and/or plan ahead during their time around campus.

Will the MDes Graduation Ceremony be live-streamed or recorded for friends and family who cannot join in-person?

Yes, we will have a live-stream video of the MDes Commencement Ceremony and post the recording afterward. The live-stream link will be posted to the top of this page. The live-stream will start around 12:30pm PST and the actual ceremony will begin at 1:00pm PST. The ceremony, and the live-stream, will conclude around 2:30pm PST. 

The Campus Winter Commencement will also have a live-stream and post-event recording (more information on the Campus Winter Commencement FAQ).

What are the differences between the MDes, College of Engineering, and Campus commencement events?

The MDes Commencement is for only Master of Design graduates and their invited guests; the event is held every December for the graduating cohort and features a keynote speaker, student speaker, student awards, and reading of graduate names. 

The College of Engineering (COE) hosts a Master’s Commencement for Master’s students in all COE programs each May. The event features guest and student speakers, awards, and reading of graduate names. The graduate processional is organized by program; students in each program gather and walk into the venue together behind their program banner. The COE does not host a Fall commencement; Fall semester graduates can participate in the COE commencement either in the semester prior to or after graduation (but not both).

The Campus Commencement is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, in every school and college. Graduate names are not read at Spring Campus Commencement but they are at the Winter Campus Commencement. Program affiliations will not be read aloud; however, the live-stream video feed on the jumbotron will include degree information. Although graduates are not formally organized by program at the campus commencement, individuals who wish to walk together can gather together in the staging area before entering the venue. Here is a video of the Winter 2022 Campus Commencement livestream to provide a sense of what to expect. The Winter Campus Commencement is typically held in Haas Pavilion while the Spring Campus Commencement is usually held in Memorial Stadium since more people participate in the latter.

Am I allowed to go to multiple commencement events?

Yes, you can go to each type of event once, so you could attend up to three commencement events.

We hope that all MDes graduates participate in their MDes Graduation. Graduates can choose whether they will additionally attend the Campus and COE Commencement events. 

The COE Commencement event occurs once a year, each May. MDes2025 Graduates are eligible to walk in either the semester before OR the semester after their graduation (e.g., May 2025 or May 2026).

The Campus Commencement event occurs at the end of each Fall and Spring semester. MDes2025 Graduates are eligible to walk in ONE of the following Campus Commencements: May 2024, December 2025, or May 2026.

Are students required to purchase graduation regalia to participate in commencement?

Graduating Students are welcome to wear any attire of their choice for the Commencement. However, for the sake of visual consistency in group photographs, we strongly encourage students to wear black regalia (cap, gown, and optional tassel). Students may purchase the official UC Berkeley regalia or a plain black set from an alternative vendor such as Amazon.

A custom MDes Berkeley stole is also available. Students may choose to use this custom stole or the official UC Berkeley stole. For questions about ordering the custom option, please reach out to Precious or Shryas.

Master’s hoods are optional. For those who choose to include a hood, the academic color chosen for the MDes program is brown. Additional resources, including design files and ordering information, can be found in the Graduation Regalia Resources document.

Regalia is optional for the Campus Commencements in Winter and Spring. If graduates choose not to wear regalia, they can alternatively dress in business casual or cocktail attire. 

Regalia is required for COE Commencement in the Spring and can be purchased in the Cal Student Store or any third-party vendor of your choice. The designated Master’s hood color for the MDes is brown.

What commencement events can MDes2026 students attend?

We expect students in the MDes2026 cohort to attend the MDes2025 cohort’s Graduate Exhibition on Monday, December 15th. MDes2025 students can attend the MDes Commencement on Sunday, December 14th if they are an invited guest of a graduating student.

LEARN MORE

Please contact Evelyn Thorne (evelynthorne@berkeley.edu). 

Graduates, for more information about other end of semester dates and activities, check your MDes2025 Cohort Calendar.