How to Graduate
Graduation is not automatic. If you are earning a degree or certificate, you must Apply for Graduation. Follow the steps below to prepare for graduation, apply for graduation, and complete requirements.
Step 1: Prepare for Graduation
Schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor to develop your education plan for the specific degree, certificate, and/or general education pattern you are pursuing. Students can meet with their counselor in EOPS, DSPS, STAR/TRIO, or General Counseling Office.
If you have attended a college or university outside of the San Diego Community College District, please review the steps to submit and evaluate transcripts prior to applying for graduation.
Graduation Deadlines
Fall Deadlines
| October 1, 2024 |
Deadline to Apply for Graduation for students transferring to a CSU in Spring 2025 with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT). |
| November 15, 2024 | Deadline to Apply for Graduation and be a Fall 2024 graduate. |
Spring & Summer Deadlines
| February 15, 2025 |
Deadline to Apply for Graduation for students transferring to a CSU in Fall 2025 with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT). |
| March 15, 2025 |
Spring & Summer deadline to Apply for Graduation and ensure that your name appears in the official commencement program. |
| April 30, 2025 | Deadline to Apply for Graduation and be a Spring 2025 graduate. |
| July 31, 2025 | Deadline to Apply for Graduation and be a Summer 2025 graduate. |
Step 2: Apply for Graduation
Students may apply for graduation 1 to 2 semesters in advance as long as they will complete requirements by the end of the semester.
- Apply for graduation though your MySDCCD portal. Under "My Academics" -> "Apply for Graduation". Be sure to click submit at the end!
- Please note that if you do not see your degree and/or certificate displayed, please meet with a counselor.
- Deadlines to apply for graduation vary from year to year. All Deadlines are final. View graduation deadlines.
Spring & Summer 2025 applications for graduation are open now!
Step 3: Complete Degree Requirements
- Complete all graduation requirements by the end of the semester selected on your application for graduation.
- Reminder: All transcripts from previously attended colleges/universities that are regionally accredited must be received and evaluated in order to obtain a degree through San Diego Community College District.
- To confirm you are on track to complete requirements, please connect with Counseling.
- View graduation status in the mySDCCD portal under "My Academics" -> "View Graduation Status".
- Order final SDCCD transcripts once your graduation status changes to "Degree Awarded" or "Diploma Printed".
Receive your diploma in the mail
You will not receive your diploma at the Commencement Ceremony.
Diplomas for Fall, Spring, and Summer graduates are mailed directly to the students
after ALL coursework requirements for your degree and/or certificate are successfully
completed.
- All financial holds must be cleared on your student account before your diploma can be mailed.
- Diplomas are mailed to the address listed on mySDCCD typically 8-10 weeks after the end of the semester.
- Make sure your mailing address and email is up to date in your mySDCCD portal under "My Personal Information".
When will I receive my diploma?
| Term | Degrees/ Certificates Posted to Transcript | Diploma Orders Placed | Approximate time diplomas are shipped to students |
| Spring | End of June | First week of July | End of July – Beginning of August |
| Summer | End of September | First week of October | End of October – Beginning of November |
| Fall | End of January | First week of February | End of February – Beginning of March |
Graduating with Honors
Graduation with honors distinction is based upon all coursework that is associate degree and lower division baccalaureate degree applicable or coursework applicable to the certificate of achievement. If eligible, an honors notation is placed on the student's official transcript and diploma.
- Honors is granted to students who achieve an overall 3.5 GPA.
- High Honors is granted to students who achieve an overall 3.75 GPA.
- Highest Honors is granted to students who achieve an overall 4.0 GPA.
Bachelor/Associate Degree Honors, 3.5-4.0 GPA: Gold Tassel, Gold Cord
Certificate of Achievement Honors, 3.5-4.0: GPA White Tassel, White Cord.
Catalog Rights
Students who maintain continuous enrollment may choose to graduate under the college catalog in effect at the time they began their studies in a California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus, or under the catalog in effect at the time of graduation.
Continuous enrollment is defined as attendance in one semester or two quarters (excluding summer) within a calendar year in the CSU, UC, or California Community College System.
Certification of a student's completion of CSU general education requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is not a graduation requirement. Therefore, students do not have catalog rights to a certification pattern used by a certifying institution or a CSU or UC campus.
