What is the difference between Graduation and Commencement?
- Graduation is the conferral of a degree and the issuance of a
diploma. A student graduates when he/she has filed an application
for graduation and has fulfilled all the requirements for their
degree. Students who have applied for graduation may participate
in the Commencement ceremony, but this participation does not
imply that they have graduated or that they have completed degree
requirements.
- Commencement is the formal ceremony that is held each May to
recognize and honor the achievements of degree candidates,
graduates, and teaching credential recipients
- Each Spring the commencement brochure includes students who
graduated the previous Fall and applicants for the current Spring
and Summer. If you do not fall into the above group your name
will not appear in the commencement brochure.
What requirements must be fulfilled to earn a Bachelor’s degree?
Refer to the University
Catalog for the academic year in which you were admitted
under BA requirements to your degree program for details
regarding your particular major and unit requirements. No
more than 70 units taken at a community college or another
two-year college may be applied to this total.
What if I will be unable to complete my degree requirements by my
anticipated graduation date and need to postpone my graduation
semester?
You will need to re-submit an Application
for Graduation, along with the $10 reapplication fee.
What happens when I re-submit an application for graduation?
You will NOT receive a new Graduation Approval Form (unless you
are changing your major, adding a concentration, or minor). Use
the first form received when you filed your first application and
obtain the required signatures as normal.
When will my degree be posted?
Depending on the number of graduates this process can take up to
6-8 weeks after grades have been posted.
When will I receive my diploma?
Diplomas are ordered only after all graduates have cleared. We
will send notice of the anticipated date diplomas will be mailed
along with the verification of graduation letter.
What if I need proof of my degree?
Transcripts are the formal verification of degree(s) earned. You
can obtain official transcripts online at www.studentclearinghouse.org,
by mail by submitting a Request for Transcript form to the
Enrollment Services Center in the Mary Stuart Rogers Building,
Suite # MSR 120. Make sure to indicate on your request form “when
degree is posted.”
more
information on transcript requests
What happens if all degree requirements are not completed?
A copy of your outstanding degree requirements will be emailed to
your University email address. You may need to change your
graduation term and complete the remaining requirements.
Who do I contact if I have more questions or concerns regarding
my degree requirements or the graduation process?
For degree requirements, you should contact your major department. If you have any
questions about the graduation process, contact the Continuing and Professional Education
office.
Where can I find additional information regarding the
Commencement ceremony?
Refer to the Commencement web
page.
