Commencement

Commencement is held in mid-May each year, following Spring semester final examinations. For the ceremony date, please see the Academic Calendar.

All students who are in good standing, have applied for graduation, and have completed the requirements for a degree are eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony. This includes students who completed degree requirements in August or December of the previous calendar year, and who did not participate previously in a May Commencement ceremony.

Students who have applied to graduate but have not completed the requirements for a degree may be approved to participate in Commencement on a case-by-case basis, if they are within 8 semester units or two courses of completing their degree requirements. Generally, approval for participation is given only under the following conditions:

The student must indicate on the graduation application that they wish to participate in Commencement.
The student must have no more than 8 units or two courses outstanding, as verified by the Registrar’s Office.
The student must be registered by the Friday of the Priority Registration Week in the remaining coursework or for Prior Learning examinations (e.g., CLEP, Excelsior, or DSST) required for the completion of their degree. Registered courses and exams must be in the subsequent Summer or Fall semester.
The student must have submitted all Experiential Learning portfolios for review by the Friday of the Priority Registration Week.

Students will be notified by the Registrar’s Office of their eligibility to participate in Commencement during the Spring semester.