Graduate On Time

Graduation Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: The questions and answers found in this Frequently Asked Questions section are directed to Undergraduate students at SDSU only. Graduate students who have questions concerning admission and graduation from an SDSU graduate program should contact the Graduate Division.

I. The Application

Q. What is the process for graduation?
A. The process begins with the submission of a graduation application. Once you have determined that you are eligible for graduation, you will need to file the graduation application and its fee. After your graduation application is processed, a graduation evaluation will be prepared and mailed to you in approximately 8 weeks. Graduation is based on the successful completion of all of your degree requirements by your date of graduation.

Q. How do I apply for graduation?
A. You must submit a graduation application for the term you anticipate completing all of your requirements. Graduation applications for each term are available at the Office of Advising & Evaluations Web site under the Graduation Application link located under Graduate On Time. Along with the application, a fee is required. Both the application and fee must be submitted to the University’s Cashier’s Office during the appropriate filing period. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are applying for the correct term in which you believe you will have met all of the graduation requirements.

Q. When do I submit the application for graduation?
A. Each application term has a separate application with a published filing period. Applications for May and August graduation are accepted from July 1st of the previous year up until the spring semester’s last day to add classes, drop classes, or change grading basis. Applications for December graduation are accepted from February 1st of the current year up until the fall semester’s last day to add classes, drop classes, or change grading basis. Late submissions of applications are not permitted past the application’s filing period.

Q. How do I get a graduation application?
A. Graduation application forms are available at the Office of Advising & Evaluations Web site under the Graduation Application link located under Graduate On Time. You may also pick up an application at the Office of the Registrar, Cashier’s Office and the Office of Advising and Evaluations. All of these offices are located in the Student Services West building.

Q. How much does it cost to file a graduation application?
A. A non-refundable application fee of $55 is required.

Q. I applied for graduation once before and paid the fee. Do I need to pay the fee again?
A. Yes. Each application for graduation, including Graduation Term Transfers between May and August, requires the payment of the $55 non-refundable fee.

II. The Evaluation

Q. What is a graduation evaluation?
A. A graduation evaluation is a document prepared by a Graduation Specialist for each graduation candidate listing his or her remaining degree requirements. It is the official document that is used to determine whether a graduation candidate can receive his or her degree.

Q. When do I have to complete all of my graduation requirements?
A. All requirements must be completed by the graduation date. This graduation date coincides with the term you apply for graduation.

Q. Why does my graduation evaluation still say I need to complete a particular requirement even though my adviser told me the requirement is okay?
A. The graduation requirements found on your evaluation are from the SDSU catalog. Students are required to complete these requirements in accordance to the SDSU catalog. In some cases, departments will allow an exception or adjustment to the requirements found in the catalog. In these instances, a “Request for Adjustment of Academic Requirements” form must be filed with all the appropriate approvals before an adjustment can be made to a student’s evaluation.

Q. My graduation evaluation says I have to send my high school transcript. Do I really need to send my high school transcript?
A. Yes. If your graduation evaluation indicates that one is required, then you must comply with this requirement.

Q. My graduation evaluation says I have to send a college transcript. Do I really need to send my college transcript?
A. Yes. All SDSU students are required to file official college transcripts from every institution they have attended prior to graduation.

Q. Do I have to submit a Master Plan?
A. Some Majors and Minors require a Master Plan to be completed. Consult your SDSU catalog to determine if your Major/Minor requires one. If it does, then you will be required to submit a Master Plan for graduation.

Q. When should I submit my Master Plan?
A. It is highly recommended that you submit your Master Plan to your Graduation Specialist at least one semester prior to your graduation date.

Q. What if I study abroad during my last year at SDSU prior to my graduation?
A. Students who study abroad are required to have official transcripts sent from the institution attended before the completion of all degree requirements can be verified. It is important to understand that some institutions located outside the United States can take up to several months to send a transcript. Therefore, students who have applied to graduate and have studied abroad in their last year might experience a delay in the finalization of their graduation.

III. What if I need more time?

Q. I applied to graduate but I won’t be able to complete my requirements in time. What should I do?
A. Students not completing requirements must cancel the current application at the earliest possible date and reapply for graduation during the appropriate filing period. Candidates who wish to change their projected graduation date between May and August may do so by submitting a Graduation Term Transfer form. Changes between December and May or August graduation dates require a new application and fee. It is highly recommended that you consult with your Graduation Specialist to discuss your particular situation and best possible course of action.

Q. I applied for graduation but need one more semester to complete everything. Why didn’t I get a registration time?
A. Candidates for graduation are not eligible to register for terms subsequent to the graduation date. Students not completing requirements must cancel the current application at the earliest possible date and reapply for graduation during the appropriate filing period. The cancellation of your current application will allow for the assignment of a registration time for the subsequent term.

Q. I’ll have my degree requirements satisfied with the exception of my Minor. Can I graduate and come back at a later date to complete my Minor?
A. No. If you wish to earn a Minor or if your Major requires a Minor, you must complete all requirements including your Minor by the graduation date you applied for.

Q. How do I cancel my graduation application?
A. Candidates who wish to cancel their current application for graduation must complete and submit a Graduation Cancellation form to the Office of the Registrar.

IV. What if I have questions?

Q. How do I know if I’m eligible to graduate?
A. There are numerous resources available on campus to help you determine whether or not you are on track to graduate. You are encouraged to meet with your Major Adviser and your Minor Adviser (if applicable) to discuss how well you are progressing towards the completion of your Major and Minor requirements. In addition, Academic Advisers are available at the Academic Advising Center located in Enrollment Services who are specially trained to answer questions about the University’s graduation requirements.

Q. Who can I ask questions to about when and how to file a graduation application?
A. Staff members in the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Advising & Evaluations are available to answer questions on when and how to file a graduation application.


Q. Who do I speak to about questions concerning my graduation evaluation?
A. Students who have questions concerning their graduation evaluation should contact their Graduation Specialist. The Graduation Specialist’s name and contact information is printed on the graduation evaluation sent to them.

Q. What is a Graduation Specialist?
A. A Graduation Specialist is a specially trained Academic Evaluations Specialist in the Office of Advising and Evaluations. The primary responsibilities of a Graduation Specialist are: 1) to review the academic records of undergraduate students who have applied to graduate, 2) to determine what degree requirements have and have not been satisfied by the applicant, 3) to serve as the Graduation Adviser to students who have applied for graduation, and 4) to determine whether or not this student can be conferred their degree.

Q. How do I know who my Graduation Specialist is and how do I contact them?
A. The graduation evaluation that is prepared and mailed to you will have the name of your Graduation Specialist and their contact information. Appointments are not necessary; each Graduation Specialist provides convenient telephone advising to all of their graduation candidates.

V. After Graduation

Q. Can I register for classes after I’ve graduated?
A. Graduated students are not eligible to register for terms subsequent to the graduation date unless an application for readmission as a post-baccalaureate student has been filed with Graduate Admissions.

Q. Will I still be able to receive a degree evaluation after I’ve graduated?
A. No. After a student has graduated, their degree evaluation is no longer accessible.

Q. I think I might be eligible for Honors and Distinction. How will I know for sure?
A. Graduation with honors is granted to undergraduate students who achieve high grade point averages. The determination of honors will be done at the time the bachelor’s degree is conferred. Distinction in the Major is granted to students who meet the GPA qualifications and who have received their major department’s recommendation. Your Graduation Specialist will automatically do the calculation of Honors and Distinction.

Q. What if I haven’t received my diploma yet and need proof that I have graduated?
A. Once your degree has been granted, you will be able to obtain transcripts that will have your degree information on it. Official transcripts are available from the Office of the Registrar. Unofficial transcripts are available from your WebPortal account. In addition, potential employers may contact the National Student Clearinghouse which SDSU has authorized to provide degree and enrollment verification. The National Student Clearinghouse may be contacted at www.studentclearinghouse.org or by calling (703) 742-4200.

VI. The Diploma

Q. Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?
A. No. Diplomas for graduated students will be mailed to the diploma mailing address on file with the University.

Q. When will I receive my diploma?
A. Diplomas are mailed to graduated students approximately four weeks after official written notification is sent to them confirming their degree has been granted.

Q. Will my Minor print on my diploma?
A. No, SDSU does not print Minor information on diplomas. Graduated students who earned a Minor may find that information on their official and unofficial SDSU transcripts.

Q. Will I receive two diplomas since I completed two Majors?
A. No, only one diploma listing both Majors will be mailed.

Q. I have two Majors. When I graduate, will that mean I have two degrees?
A. No, only one degree is earned even with the completion of two majors.

Q. Do Honors and Distinction print on my diploma?
A. Yes, Honors and Distinction in the Major print on your diploma.

VII. The Ceremony

Q. When can I “walk” in the ceremony?
A. Commencement exercises are held once a year at the end of the spring semester for students who graduated in December of the previous year, candidates for graduation in the spring semester and candidates for graduation in the summer term.

Q. When will I receive information about the graduation ceremony?
A. Information pertaining to the commencement exercises usually becomes available mid-spring semester. In addition to direct mailings, on-line information is provided on SDSU’s home page when it becomes available.