Graduation Information

 

Applying for graduation

You must declare your intention to graduate by filing an Application for Graduation with an Advanced Degree.

The application for graduation is a two step process. Students must apply through my.SDSU by selecting the application for graduation option under the Academic Records tile.  As students proceed through the application process, they will be prompted to pay a one-time non-refundable application fee.  After the application fee has been paid, students must navigate back into their application to formally submit the application.

The application is due 3-6 months before the official diploma date and must be done through your my.SDSU account. Application deadlines are posted on the Academic Calendar and on the Graduate Studies homepage. A registration hold may prevent you from applying to graduate. For more information on registration holds, check your “Tasks” tile in your my.SDSU account or the Registrar's Office website on how to resolve it: https://registrar.sdsu.edu/students/registration/registration_holds 

If you have missed the deadline for graduation applications, contact the Graduate Studies office to determine whether it is possible to petition for a late application.

Diploma Name

You may select to have your primary, preferred, or former name on file appear on your diploma. You will be asked to make this selection when completing the graduation application. Otherwise, your current primary name on record will appear on your diploma. Be advised that in some situations your diploma may be considered an official document and the name appearing on your diploma may need to match other legal documents you possess. If you wish to change your primary name or select a preferred first name, visit the Office of the Registrar's Name & Gender Change Procedures web page.

 

If your name has special characters such as an accent mark, please email [email protected] so we can ensure the special characters are represented on your diploma.

 

Commencement
Commencement ceremonies are held each year at the end of the spring semester for students completing degrees in the spring and summer terms, or the fall of the previous calendar year. Details regarding commencement are mailed to the prospective participants in March from their department, and are available on the commencement website.

 

Effective Fall 2020, setting the chosen first name after applying for graduation may not reflect on the commencement program.

BBS Certification Instructions
1) Upon awarding (official posting) a student's degree (confirmed via the last page on unofficial transcripts) students may email their Form A and B to Graduate Studies ([email protected]).  Do not email your Form A and B until your degree has been awarded. 
 
NOTE: Graduate Studies will forward completed forms directly to the Board of Behavioral Sciences and will not be sending copies to students. Processing of forms may take 4-6 weeks.
 
2) Order official transcripts with the Office of the Registrar:

1. Log on to my.SDSU
2. Select Academic Records, then Request Official Transcript
3. Select certified electronic PDF version
4. Complete required information.  Indicate electronic transcripts to be emailed to one of the following:  (The corresponding email address should be in relation to appropriate licensure the student is to receive).
   1. [email protected]
   2. [email protected]
   3. [email protected]
5. Make payment
6. Submit request

3) Students mail their completed package to BBS (excluding Form A, Form B, and official transcripts).

Degree information will appear on the top page of the unofficial transcript approximately 6-8 weeks from the diploma date (see the Graduation Deadlines flyer on the homepage for specific dates). Students can view their unofficial transcripts and order official transcripts through the Academic Tile in my.SDSU.

Diploma
Diplomas are mailed out 10-12 weeks after the date of graduation. It is the student's responsibility to provide the correct address through their my.SDSU.