Welcome. The objective of the Graduation Office is to provide quality and timely service to students, staff and faculty in the processing and awarding of degrees. Its staff is dedicated in maintaining the academic integrity of the University by complying with academic and administrative policies. The Graduation Office, along with students, staff and faculty is part of a team that will offer solutions in resolving student problems as they pertain to graduation. The Graduation Office will be an active participant in the technological advances that focus on improving student services.
Declared Graduation Term: UndergraduateA $25 late filing fee is collected in addition to the $20 application and $10 diploma fees ($55 total)
when a graduation application is filed after the corresponding deadline.
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.
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation our office is not on campus to handle requests.
Applying for Dual Majors / Dual Degrees:
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.
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation our office is not on campus to handle requests.
You can check the status of your Graduation Application and the details of your remaining requirement(s) on your Academic Requirements report.
Checkout Status | Short Description |
---|---|
Applied | Request to Graduate has been recorded but not yet reviewed. |
In Review | Request to Graduate was reviewed and graduation check has been completed. |
Denied | Denied graduation for that term. |
Awarded | Degree has been conferred. |
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!
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
All students attaining these minimum grade point averages will be awarded the corresponding honors upon conferral of degree.
Graduating from the University and participating in Commencement are two different things. Graduation is when the student has officially and successfully completed all their degree requirements. Commencement is the ceremony in which degrees are conferred and celebrates the achievement of the students who have graduated or will soon graduate during the academic year.
Commencement is produced and managed by the Commencement Office (University Events and Protocol). Their office facilitates and coordinates the Commencement ceremonies and activities.
Participating in Commencement is optional and not mandatory. If a student chooses to not participate, it does not affect their eligibility to graduate from the University. In addition, participation in Commencement does not automatically mean that the student has graduated.
Commencement is a separate process from graduating. Eligible graduating candidates can register to participate in Commencement in mid-spring. When a student confirms participation in Commencement, Cal State LA will reserve a seat for the student at the ceremony and provide a select number of guest tickets.
For more information, please visit the Commencement website regularly. It contains valuable information for graduates and guests. Please scroll through each section and read the information as details are posted as soon as they are confirmed.