Graduation Information
Graduation is not automatic upon completion of your degree requirements!
Applying for graduation
You must declare your intention to graduate by filing an Application for Graduation with an Advanced Degree. The application is due 3-6 months before the official diploma date and must be done through your WebPortal 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 WebPortal or the Registrar's Office website on how to resolve it: https://registrar.sdsu.edu/students/registration/registration_holds
You must declare your intention to graduate by filing an Application for Graduation with an Advanced Degree. The application is due 3-6 months before the official diploma date and must be done through your WebPortal 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 WebPortal 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.
Effective Fall 2019, a one-time fee* is required to apply for graduation. If you do not have access to the form online, please contact the Graduate Studies Office for a paper application. If you do not graduate in the term that you applied for, you will automatically be evaluated for future terms until you have successfully graduated.
Effective Fall 2019, a one-time fee* is required to apply for graduation. If you do not have access to the form online, please contact the Graduate Studies Office for a paper application. If you do not graduate in the term that you applied for, you will automatically be evaluated for future terms until you have successfully graduated.
(*This is a one-time fee per degree objective. Students must pay the $103 fee for each new degree being earned. Fee is subject to change.)
Effective Fall 2020, students will have the option to select their chosen first name
to reflect on their diploma and the commencement program. This will only be an option
if the chosen first name is set and on file at the Registrar's Office. Students that
set a chosen name with the Registrar's Office after they have applied for graduation
should contact the Graduate Studies Office immediately. Setting the chosen first name
after applying for graduation may not reflect on the commencement program.
Please note that official transcripts will only reflect the student's legal name.
Visit the Registrar's Office website for information on how to set your chosen first name or change your legal name.
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.
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.
Transcripts
Degree information will appear on the last page of the unofficial transcript approximately
4-6 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 WebPortal.
Diploma
Diplomas are mailed out 8-10 weeks after the date of graduation. It is the student's responsibility to provide the correct address through their WebPortal.
Diplomas are mailed out 8-10 weeks after the date of graduation. It is the student's responsibility to provide the correct address through their WebPortal.
Effective Fall 2020, students that would like to have their chosen first name printed
on their diploma must do so at the time they apply for graduation. If the chosen first
name is updated by the Registrar's Office after submitting the application, the student
must notify the Graduate Studies Office immediately. By selecting to have your chosen
first name print on your diploma, you are acknowledging that your transcripts and
diploma name will not match, but you can order a new diploma with your legal name
using the Online Diploma Service.
**NOTE: You have 2-3 addresses on file with the University: mailing, permanent and
foreign (if applicable). Please log into your WebPortal and verify that all of these
(especially the mailing address) are current.
Replacement Diploma/eDiploma Order
The following Online Diploma Service is available through our official diploma vendor, the Michael Sutter Company.
- Order a replacement diploma - Order your diploma easily online. You will be able to choose Standard Delivery or Express Overnight Delivery. There is a $20.00 charge for each Diploma Replacement. Your Diploma will be printed and mailed within 1-2 days of receiving your payment.
- Order an Official SDSU eDiploma - Your SDSU eDiploma is a Signed and Certified PDF of your original paper diploma used for easy degree verification purposes. The SDSU eDiploma is a one-time charge of $20.00. You will receive your eDiploma within minutes of submitting your payment. You can then share your eDiploma as often as you need. (An e-diploma cannot be released until your original diploma has been issued by Graduate Studies).
- Diploma Status - Search the status of your diploma order whether it is your new diploma or replacement diploma.
To place an order, visit https://www.michaelsutter.com/