Graduation Information

GRAD CHECK DEADLINES

Bachelor's Degree Deadline Schedule

Graduation Term Priority Application Deadline for Optimal Registration Date Final Deadline to Apply for Graduation Deadline to be Approved by Major Department and Pay $115 Graduation Fee Deadline for All Work to be Completed
Fall 2021 March 1, 2021 Sept. 5, 2021 Oct. 15, 2021 Jan. 3, 2022
Spring 2022 Oct. 1, 2021 Feb. 6, 2022 March 18, 2022 May 27, 2022
Summer 2022 Oct. 1, 2021 March 13, 2022 April 10, 2022 Aug. 5, 2022
Fall 2022 March 1, 2022 Sept. 4, 2022 Oct. 21, 2022 Jan. 3, 2023

 

Master's or Doctoral Degree Deadline Schedule

Graduation Term Grad Check Application Deadline
Fall 2021 Sept. 13, 2021
Spring 2022 Feb. 14, 2022
Summer 2022 March 14, 2022
Fall 2022 Sept. 12, 2022

BACHELOR'S DEGREE CANDIDATES

When to Apply for Graduation

Each prospective graduate must apply online for graduation. Students must apply online on their Student Homepage (formerly Student Center) one semester prior to the term in which they anticipate completing all requirements for a degree. Please work with your major advisor and graduation specialist to determine your appropriate graduation term prior to applying.

Applying for Graduation

Once you meet the criteria listed below, you will receive an e-mail alerting you to apply for graduation and a checklist item "Apply for Graduation" will be assigned to you on your Student Homepage. You will also be assigned a checklist item "Graduation Fee Required." You can apply for graduation prior to paying the $115 graduation fee and your application will be processed, however you will need to pay the fee before you can advance to the degree candidacy status required for inclusion on the candidacy list and awarding of your degree.

Criteria to apply for graduation are as follows:

Declared major; not a "pre-major" or "undeclared"

Minimum of 85 earned units towards your degree

Minimum overall grade point average of 1.85

Minimum CSUF grade point average of 1.85

Must be currently active in an academic program of study leading to a bachelor's degree

When you are eligible to apply for graduation, you will need to go to your Student Homepage and apply for graduation by selecting 'Apply for Graduation' on the menu and following the prompts to select a graduation term. 

It is advised that you apply one (1) year in advance of your anticipated graduation term. Applications for graduation will not be accepted any later than the end of the second week of the fall term for January candidates and the end of the second week of the spring term for May and August candidates.

 

How to Apply for Graduation Online

You must apply for graduation online via your Student Homepage. All majors and minors must be accurately reflected prior to applying for graduation; if they are not, you must bring those programs up to date prior to applying for graduation. You may change majors, minors, and concentrations with an online form found hereOpens in new window

The $115 Graduation/Diploma fee may be paid online (preferred) or by mailing your payment to CSU Fullerton, Student Business Services, P.O. Box 6808, Fullerton, CA 92834-6808. Be sure that your name and Campus Wide ID is on the front of the check and that you identify the payment as the graduation/diploma fee. You will be required to pay the graduation fee before you can become a candidate for graduation.

 

Titan Degree Audit Graduation Checks

The Titan Degree Audit is the document used for your official graduation check.  Be sure to regularly access your TDA via Titan Online and review it for accuracy. Learn more information about the Titan Degree Audit (TDA).

 

General Information on the Degree Checkout Process

Academic Department Review

Once you have applied online, your major/minor academic departments will be notified of your intent to graduate and requested to review your TDA. The Academic Departments will review your academic program indicating their approval or if another graduation term would be more appropriate. Any exceptions to degree requirements submitted by academic advisors will be entered on the TDA by Registration and Records. Once the academic advisor approves your graduation checklist item, you will move overnight to approved status.

Graduation Fee for Candidacy

After your academic program(s) are approved by the respective departments, if you have already paid your $115 graduation fee, your status will be moved to candidate. If you have not yet paid your graduation fee, your status will remain as approved and you will not advance to candidacy until the fee is received. You must move to candidate status in order to participate in commencement activities and be considered a candidate for graduation for the term. Your "Graduation Fee Required" checklist item on your Student Homepage will tell you whether or not a fee is still required.

Anticipated Graduation Date Changes

If your anticipated term of graduation changes, you must contact the Graduation Unit at gradunit@fullerton.edu to update your record to the correct term. 

Completion of Degree Requirements

At the end of your anticipated term of graduation, as a degree candidate, the graduation unit will review your file based on completion of your final courses. If all requirements are met, your degree will be posted. Please be advised that the conferring of your degree  is usually 4-6 weeks following the end of the term. Your diploma will be mailed to the mailing address on record once the degree is conferred. If you are requesting transcripts prior to your degree being posted, be sure to indicate on the transcript request if you want the transcript request to be held until the degree is awarded.

Degree Requirements Not Met

If you do not meet all degree requirements by the last day of the term, you will be sent a deficiency letter requesting a revised date of when you will complete the outstanding degree requirements. Please remember that all work for your degree requirements must be completed by the last day of your anticipated graduation term. Any requirements not completed by the last day of the graduation term will delay your graduation until after all degree requirements are met.

Tips to Avoid Graduation Requirement "Surprises"

The following tips will help you avoid those last minute disappointments of unmet degree requirements:

Review your TDA at least once a term to monitor how you are proceeding on your degree requirements.

If you see a discrepancy on your TDA, be sure and contact the TDA unit at tda@fullerton.edu to review your record.

If your academic department has submitted an exception to a degree requirement, be sure that the exception is reflected on the TDA. If it is not, check with your academic department advisor.

If you have taken courses elsewhere be sure to have an official transcript sent to CSUF for evaluation and inclusion on your academic records as soon as possible following completion of the course.

Apply for graduation at least 1 year in advance of your anticipated graduation term. This gives you time to "correct" any problems or take needed courses.

Remember that the TDA is the official grad check document. All requirements should show as "OK" (e.g., met) or that the requirement will be met by the courses in progress (IP) during your last term.

MASTER'S OR DOCTORAL DEGREE CANDIDATES

Graduate Candidates for Master’s or Doctoral Degree

Graduate students are required to file and pay for a graduation check by the deadline listed above. You must apply for graduation online via your Student Homepage. You must be a currently enrolled Classified student at CSUF to apply for graduation. The $115 graduation fee must be paid within 5 days of applying for the graduation check online. You are not considered a candidate for graduation until the fee is paid.

Graduation date changes and other forms

  •  
  • Graduation Date Change

     Please send requests to change your graduation date to gradunit@fullerton.edu.
  • Graduation-Related Forms

    Early Verification Letter requests, Reactivation requests, and Schedule to Graduate request letters should be sent to gradunit@fullerton.edu. Any applicable fees will be added to your CSUF account.

More graduation information

COMMENCEMENT

TRANSCRIPTS FOR GRADUATION

What is the difference between graduation and commencement?
  • Graduation is the official awarding of your degree. There are three graduation terms each year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Students should contact the Graduation Unit with questions regarding completion of degree requirements, degree conferral, and diplomas.
  • Commencement is the optional event which celebrates the completion (or anticipated completion) of degree programs. Commencement is held once a year in the spring, for the three graduation terms of the preceding academic year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Students should refer to the commencement website and/or the commencement office (or the appropriate contact stated on the website) for details and questions about the ceremonies.

Once you have completed the graduation check process, whether graduate or undergraduate, you are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony appropriate to your graduation date:

  • If you graduated in Fall 2020 (January 2021) or become a candidate for Spring (May) 2021 or Summer (August) 2021 graduation, you will be eligible to participate in the Spring 2021 commencement ceremonies.
  • If you graduate in Fall 2021 (January 2022) or become a candidate for Spring (May) 2022 or Summer (August) 2022 graduation, you will be eligible to participate in the Spring 2022 commencement ceremonies.

Please see the commencement website for further ceremony information

Students should be strongly encouraged to send electronic official transcripts, the quickest way for transcripts to be updated to students’ records. We can accept electronic transcripts from schools using these systems, which includes most local community colleges:

eTranscript CaliforniaOpens in new window

Credentials Solutions
(Transcripts Plus)Opens in new window

 

If students have official paper transcripts:

For students who need to submit an official paper transcript, they should be sent to the following address:

California State University, Fullerton
LH-114 Graduation Unit
P.O. Box 6900
Fullerton, CA 92834-6900

Students may drop transcripts in the ARSC drop box in Langsdorf Hall as well. 

 

For all other Graduation Unit inquiries, please email gradunit@fullerton.edu