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.
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