Commencement

The 2023 graduation commencement ceremony is on Friday, September 8, 2023. 

The 2023 graduation commencement ceremony will start at 6:00 pm. 

The 2023 graduation commencement ceremony will end at 7:30 pm. 

The deadline to RSVP for the 2023 Graduation Commencement Ceremony is May 31, 2023. 

Any certificate and degree seeking students who completed their program on or after 6/1/2019 are eligible to participate. 

Yes! We encourage you to also attend the in-person ceremony. 

The 2023 graduation commencement ceremony will be held at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, which is in San Diego, California. 

The address for the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is: 

2125 Pan American Rd E, San Diego, CA 92101 

If you are driving to the venue from north San Diego via CA-163 South: 

• Exit 5 South/Park Blvd 
• Left on Park Blvd 
• Left on Presidents Way 
• Second right into parking lot 

If you are driving to the venue from north San Diego via I-5 South: 

• Exit 10th Street 
• Left on A Street 
• Left on Park Blvd 
• Left on President’s Way 
• Second right into parking lot 

If you are driving to the venue from south San Diego via I-5 North: 

• Exit 6th Street, turn right 
• Right on El Prado 
• Cross the Cabrillo Bridge 
• Drive past the Organ Pavilion and turn left into the parking lot directly behind it. 

       If you are taking the Balboa Park Tram: 

• We encourage visitors to use the free Balboa Park tram. This free service which will take you from parking lots located at Inspiration Point, behind Spreckels Organ Pavilion, east of the Comic Con Museum, or in front of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. To get to the JFG, ride the tram to the stop next to the Organ Pavilion. Then walk East past the front of the Organ Pavilion to get to the JFG front entrance.  

    If you are taking public transportation: 

• The Metropolitan Transit System buses 3, 7, 120, and Rapid 215 serve stops on the East and West sides of Balboa Park. 
• To enter from the Park’s West side, take bus Routes 3 or 120 (which travel on 4th and 5th Avenues) to the stop on Laurel Street, and then walk East on Laurel Street, past 6th Avenue to El Prado which goes over the historic Cabrillo Bridge. Then Make a right and walk South on Pan American Rd E. The Japanese Friendship Garden will be just to the left of the Organ Pavilion. 
• Routes 7 and Rapid 215 operate on Park Boulevard on the Park’s East side and stop both at the stop by the Rose Garden (Route 7) and the San Diego Zoo (Rapid 215 and Route 7). From either stop, cross Park Boulevard and into the Park to El Prado and continue to walk west. Then Make a left and walk South on Pan American Rd E. The Japanese Friendship Garden will be just to the left of the Organ Pavilion. 
• MTS routes to Balboa Park connect with all MTS Trolley Lines and most other MTS Bus and Rapid Routes. In downtown San Diego, Rapid 215 is an easy connection from Amtrak and COASTER trains at the Santa Fe Depot and the Cruise Ship Terminal. For MTS fare and schedule information visit www.sdmts.com. 

Yes! When you RSVP, please indicate whether you plan to attend in-person or virtually. 

If you RSVP and indicate that you plan to attend the in-person event, we will provide you with instructions on how to purchase your regalia, which will be mailed directly to you. 

Yes! We encourage you to get creative and decorate your cap. 

No. You will receive a diploma/certificate cover at the ceremony. You will receive your diploma/certificate upon successful completion of your program. 

Yes! CIAT will ensure that a professional photographer is available to capture your special day. 

Yes!  

• Since the venue is within a flight zone due to being located near the San Diego Airport and close to the San Diego Zoo, balloons are not allowed in the venue.  

• Please note that confetti and alcohol are also prohibited in the venue. 

No! There is plenty of seating at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. 

Yes! There is plenty of parking located behind the venue and in the surrounding area. 

No! There is no charge for parking. 

Yes! The nearest restrooms are towards the venue’s west side- right across the walkway. 

Yes! When you RSVP, please be sure to indicate if you or a guest(s) have ADA accommodations. 

San Diego has many options for hotels in the surrounding areas: 

• Downtown San Diego 
• Hotel Circle 
• Bankers Hill 
• Old Town 

San Diego has many attractions for you and your guest(s): 

• Balboa Park Museums 
• Seaport Village 
• Little Italy 
• SeaWorld 
• San Diego Zoo 
• San Diego Safari Animal Park 
• USS Midway 

Yes! Please be sure to ‘Save the Date’ for an event on the Thursday before the commencement ceremony, Thursday, September 7, 2023, and for the Saturday after the commencement Saturday, September 9, 2023. On the RSVP, please indicate what you and your guest might be interested in.