The Graduation Application is used by the student to notify the university that they are ready to complete their degree program. The degree program is the combination of the degree (e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.), major(s), and minor(s). All coursework for the degree program must be completed prior to the award date (end of graduation term). The student’s record may not be altered following the awarding of the degree so it is critical that the Graduation Application be accurate at the time of filing.

  A Graduation Application is filed once for a degree program. The student pays a $20 application and $10 diploma fee ($30 total) at the time of filing. Once the Graduation Application is filed, it may be updated (e.g. change term, major, minor, etc.) by using the Request to Change Graduation Term form and paying a $25 late filing fee.

•    Graduation Application for Undergraduate Degrees
•    Request to Change Graduation Term

1. Review your Academic Requirements report in the GET Student Center to ensure you have met the following requirements:
   • Earned at least 90 semester units
   • Earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.000 in each of the following:
     • All college work attempted (includes transfer work)
     • All courses attempted at Cal State LA
     • All general education courses
     • All courses required for major(s)
   • Must be matriculated in order for the application to be reviewed
   • On track to complete all graduation requirements by end of declared term
      
2. Complete the Graduation Application
   •    Graduation Application for Undergraduate Degrees
       
3. Using your Academic Requirements report, list all incomplete graduation requirements on the Degree Completion Worksheet attached to the Graduation Application. This must include all courses you still need to complete as well as any course substitutions or other exceptions that need department approval.
    
4. Make a graduation advising appointment with your major department(s) or college(s). Bring your completed Graduation Application and Degree Completion Worksheet to the appointment. The Academic advisor(s) will review the Graduation Application and Degree Completion Worksheet. If your plan appears reasonable given the outstanding requirements and the graduation term you have selected, then the advisor will sign the form indicating you have completed the consultation. The advisor's signature does not guarantee graduation. It simply affirms that you have proposed a reasonable plan to achieve degree completion by the end of the declared term.
    
5. Take the completed and signed Graduation Application and Degree Completion Worksheet to the Cashier's Office (ADM 128) and pay the Application ($20) and the Diploma ($10) fees. The Cashier's Office will forward the form to the Graduation Office for processing.

Applying for Dual Majors / Dual Degrees:

• For Dual Degrees (BS & BA, BS & MS, etc.):
  • You must submit 1 Graduation Application and 1 Degree Completion Worksheet per degree. The Cashier's Office will collect the required fees: $20 for the application and $20 for the diplomas.
    • This type of award receives 2 diplomas

• For Dual Majors (BS & BS, BA & BA, etc.):
  • You must submit 1 Graduation Application and 2 Degree Completion Worksheet (1 per major). The Cashier's Office will collect the required fees: $20 application fee and $10 diploma fee.
    • Both majors appear on a single diploma.

The Graduation Application is used by the student to notify the university that they are ready to complete their degree program. All coursework for the degree program must be completed prior to the award date (end of graduation term). The student’s record may not be altered following the awarding of the degree so it is critical that the Graduation Application be accurate at the time of filing.

A Graduation Application is filed once for a degree program. The student pays a $20 application and $10 diploma fee ($30 total) at the time of filing. Once the Graduation Application is filed it may be updated (e.g. change term, major, option, etc.) by using the Request to Change Graduation Term form and paying a $25 late filing fee.

•    Graduation Application for Graduate/Doctorate Degrees
•    Request to Change Graduation Term

1. Review your Academic Requirements report in the GET Student Center to ensure you have met the following requirements:
   • Only international  graduate students who graduate from universities where English is NOT the primary language of instruction must pass the Writing Proficiency UNIV 4000 or UNIV 4010 within their first 12 units. For further information, please contact the University Testing Center at 323-343-3160.
   • On track to complete all graduation requirements by end of declared term
   • Must be matriculated in order for the application to be reviewed.
      
2. Complete the   Graduation Application.
    
3. Using your Academic Requirements report, list all incomplete graduation requirements on the optional Degree Completion Worksheet attached to the Graduation Application. This must include all courses you still need to complete as well as any course substitutions or other exceptions that need department approval.
     
4. Take the completed and signed Graduation Application and Degree Completion Worksheet to the Cashier's Office (ADM 128) and pay the Application ($20) and the Diploma ($10) fees. The Cashier's Office will forward the form to the Graduation Office for processing.

You can check the status of your Graduation Application and the details of your remaining requirement(s) on your Academic Requirements report.

Applied:

If your checkout status is Applied, your Graduation Application has been received and will be reviewed before the start of the declared term. An email will be sent to you when the review has been completed. When you receive this email, be sure to check your Academic Requirements report to verify the updates and review any remaining requirements. Keep your mailing address and e-mail address up-to-date so that important notices reach you!

In Review:

If your checkout status is In Review, your Graduation Application has been reviewed and will be reviewed again after the grades are finalized at the end of the term. If you have not already, be sure to check your Academic Requirements report.

Denied:

If your checkout status is Denied, the review at the end of the declared Expected Graduation Term determined that there are remaining degree requirement(s) that have not been met. Your remaining requirements are available on your Academic Requirements report. It is recommended that your work closely with your Academic Advisor.

Use the Request to Change Graduation Term form to update the anticipated graduation term you originally submitted on your Graduation Application (restrictions apply). If needed, schedule an advising appointment to review and confirm a new anticipated graduation term.

Awarded:

If your checkout status is Awarded, Congratulations!  Your degree information is now posted to your transcripts and your diploma will be mailed to your address in a few weeks.

Your degree will not be awarded if you fail to complete any of the Academic Requirements, including:

• All degree requirements completed by your declared graduation term:
  • Please review your remaining Academic Requirements report through GET Student Center.
• Maintaining a 2.000 in all GPA categories:
  • College work attempted (including transfer work)
  • Courses attempted at Cal State LA,
  • GE courses
  • Courses required for the major(s).
• Completion of Incomplete Grades
  • An Incomplete that is not removed before the degree is awarded will be charged as an 'F' in the grade point average calculations. Once your degree has been awarded, all coursework leading up to the degree cannot be changed for any reason.
• Transcripts from other institutions
  • If official transcripts showing final grades are required from other institutions, these must be submitted to the Admissions Office (SA 101). Be sure to follow up with your academic advisor. Course Substitutions require the approval of the academic department.

Minor Completion

The minor filed will be noted on the student’s transcript and on the student's diploma if the individual program has been approved by the offering department/division/school and is completed at the same time as or prior to the work for the degree itself.

If the minor is not completed by the time the degree is completed it will be removed from the student’s record and the degree will be awarded without it.

Awarding of the degree(s) will not be delayed to facilitate the completion of a minor. The student does not need to submit a Request to Change Graduation Term form to remove an incomplete minor.

Graduation means that you have completed all of your degree requirements and have been awarded the degree – this process should not be confused with attending the Commencement Ceremonies. Formal Commencement Ceremonies occur once a year at the end of the Spring Semester. Participation in ceremonies is not confirmation of an awarded degree.

Eligibility for Commencement 2019:

• Students with a Fall 2018 conferred degree.
• Students who have applied for Graduation with an application for Winter 2019, Spring 2019 and Summer 2019.
• Students who need to take classes in Fall 2019 must submit a Graduation Application for Fall 2019 and will be eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremonies 2020. Students will not be able to register beyond the Expected Graduation Term.

Please visit the Cal State LA Commencement homepage for ceremony details:  www.calstatela.edu/commencement

For Commencement tickets, regalia and event details, e-mail Commencement@calstatela.edu 

Diploma Name

Please ensure the proper presentation of your name for the Commencement bulletin and your printed diploma. Submit updates to your name using the Bio/Demo (Name Change) form to ADM 409. Clearly indicate special marks (such as accent marks, hyphenations, capitalization, etc.) in the name section of the Graduation Application.

Using a Preferred First Name on the Diploma

An approved Preferred First Name may be used on a diploma and in the Commencement Program if requested by you on the graduation application, otherwise your primary (legal) name shall be used.  Cal State LA recognizes that some students may wish to use a Preferred First Name other than their legal name to identify themselves. The university acknowledges that a Preferred First Name can and should be used where possible in the course of university business and education.  Information for students about requesting a preferred first name is found on the University Registrar website: http://www.calstatela.edu/registrar/preferred-first-name. Please take a moment to review this page and see if using a Preferred First Name is right for you.

•  Name/Bio/Demo Change Form

Certificate Programs are an excellent way for individuals to obtain new skills and knowledge or to enhance their current skills. Certificate study offers professionals an accelerated and flexible pathway to explore a new career field or build upon their already existing skills for career enrichment or advancement. Most certificate programs are comprised of multiple courses, and a certificate is awarded upon successful completion of all required coursework.

To apply:

1. Complete the Certificate Program Application during the term you plan on completing your final requirement(s) for the certificate.

   •   Certificate Program Application

2. Submit the $25 fee to the Cashier's Office, Admin 128.

3. Take the paid and completed application to the department in charge of the Certificate Program for approval. The department will submit the application to the Graduation Office for processing.

When to expect your diploma

Grades are assigned by the faculty member and submitted to the Records Office a week after the end of final examination week. You will receive your diploma by mail after official certification that you have successfully completed all degree requirements. Please allow up to 4 weeks for our office to review ALL applicants individually.

After your degree is awarded, track the progress of your diploma using the following link:

• https://www.michaelsutter.com/calstatela.

Diploma Name

Clearly indicate special marks (such as accent marks, hyphenations, capitalization, etc.) in your name on the name section of the Graduation Application or in writing to the Graduation Office, Admin 409. This will help ensure the proper presentation of your name for your printed diploma and the commencement bulletin.

Preferred First Name

An approved Preferred First Name may be used on a diploma and in the Commencement Program if requested by you on the graduation application, otherwise your primary (legal) name shall be used.  Cal State LA recognizes that some students may wish to use a Preferred First Name other than their legal name to identify themselves. The university acknowledges that a Preferred First Name can and should be used where possible in the course of university business and education.  Information for students about requesting a preferred first name is found on the University Registrar website: http://www.calstatela.edu/registrar/preferred-first-name. Please take a moment to review this page and see if using a Preferred First Name is right for you.

The Bio/Demo (Name Change) Form is available for any updates to your name.  Please submit the form to ADM 409.

•   Name/Bio/Demo Change Form

Diploma Address

Navigate to "Campus Personal Information" on your GET profile to update your Diploma mailing address and preferred email address.

Q: What will appear on your diploma?

• A: Your name as it appears on your official Cal State L.A. records including special marks that are clearly indicated on your Graduation Application. An approved Preferred First Name may be used on a diploma if requested by you on the graduation application, otherwise your primary (legal) name shall be used.
• Major(s) and, if applicable, option(s)
• Minor(s). An awarded minor will be posted on both the diploma and the Official Transcript. All requirements for a declared minor must be completed by the time the degree is conferred.
• Conferred Date
• Honors: University Honors, Departmental Honors, and/or Honors College will be posted if they have been awarded by the time the degree is conferred.

Cal State LA recognizes that some students may wish to use a Preferred First Name other than their legal name to identify themselves. The university acknowledges that a Preferred First Name can and should be used where possible in the course of university business and education. Information for students about requesting a preferred first name is found on the Preferred First Name page. Please take a moment to review this page and see if using a Preferred First Name is right for you.

May I request a Duplicate Diploma?

Absolutely! To request a duplicate copy of the diploma, complete and submit the Duplicate Diploma Request Form along with the appropriate fee per diploma. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks turnaround time for mailing or processing.

•  Duplicate Diploma Application

Diploma Notarization / Apostille / Authentication

The California Secretary of State authenticates signatures on documents issued in the State of California, to be used outside the United States of America. The country of destination determines whether the authentication is an Apostille or Certification. Authentication requests can be submitted to the Sacramento Notary Public Section office.

• What is a notarization?
  • A notarization is verification that the signature(s) are authentic. Diplomas cannot be notarized on campus; they contain signatures of state officials that are not physically present.
• What if I need a copy of my diploma notarized?
  • If a third party has asked you to provide a notarized copy of your diploma, an alternative type of notarization procedure is called a Copy Certification by Document Custodian. This procedure allows a person in permanent possession of an original document to sign a written declaration that a copy of it is identical to the original.
  • Take your diploma to any Notary Public to request the notarization. The Notary will make a photocopy and, as part of the notarization, will have you sign a notarial certificate that confirms that you are the Document Custodian and that the copy is a complete and true reproduction of the original.
• What is an Apostille?
  • An apostille is made by the Secretary of State, verifying the authenticity of a public official signature on a document to be used outside the United States of America.
  • For more information, please see the following link: http://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/authentication/ 

Cal State L.A. uses three designations of honors at graduation: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude. Effective Fall 2016, to be eligible for honors, an undergraduate student must have completed a minimum of 45 units in residence at Cal State L.A. and have attained the appropriate standing (in terms of cumulative grade point average earned at Cal State L.A.) as described below:

• Summa Cum Laude: GPA equal to or greater than 3.9
• Magna Cum Laude: GPA equal to or greater than 3.75 but less than 3.9
• Cum Laude: GPA equal to or greater than 3.5 but less than 3.75

All students attaining these minimum grade point averages will be awarded the corresponding honors upon conferral of degree.

Need proof of Graduation?

Once your degree has been conferred, you can obtain official transcripts that document your degree information. Go to the Forms page for more information.

Employers and other agencies seeking degree verifications should contact the National Student Clearinghouse. The National Student Clearinghouse is the authorized agent for California State University, Los Angeles, for providing enrollment and degree verifications to third parties. Current students may use the self-service application available through the MyCalStateLA portal to print their own enrollment history, verifications, check loan deferments sent to your lenders, and link to real-time information on student loans.

For assistance with Student Self-Service, contact the Clearinghouse at service@studentclearinghouse.org or call (703) 742-4200.

To request a duplicate copy of the diploma, complete and submit the Duplicate Diploma Request Form along with the appropriate fee per diploma. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks turnaround time for mailing or processing.

•   Duplicate Diploma Application

Cal State LA offers two degree planning tools via GET to students in order to assist with an on-time completion of courses for Graduation.

To see which tool is available to help you plan your degree path:

• Log into GET and access the GET Student Center.
• Under Academics, look to see what links you have listed.