Once you have determined that you are eligible to graduate, you need to submit a graduation application during the published application filing period and the one-time $103 nonrefundable application fee. After your graduation application is processed and your graduation evaluation is completed, you will receive an email from your graduation advisor, which may take 12 weeks or more. Graduation is based on the successful completion of all of your degree requirements by the last day of the semester of the graduation term you have applied for (i.e. if you apply for spring graduation, you must complete all degree requirements by the last day of the spring semester).

Enrolled students must apply online through my.SDSU by selecting the Application for Graduation menu option through the Academic Records tile. Review the Undergraduate Application for Graduation Guide for detailed step-by-step instructions. The application filing periods are:

Remember that all debts owed to the university must be cleared before your application for graduation will be processed. This includes any outstanding bills such as parking, tuition, library fines, etc. Check with SDSU Student Account Services if you have questions regarding the status of your student account.

Once your application has been submitted and your application fee has been processed, you'll receive official notification to your SDSUid email address confirming the receipt of your application and the graduation term you've applied for. The application is then forwarded to your assigned graduation advisor who will prepare a graduation evaluation for you. Once your graduation evaluation is complete, the graduation advisor will email you in approximately 8–12 weeks. You can then work with your graduation advisor if you have any questions about your evaluation or your progress toward degree completion.

SDSU Career Services is committed to supporting the career paths of SDSU graduates. Starting May 2023, an outcomes survey will be conducted each semester for graduating seniors. If you are a graduating senior, the link will be emailed to your SDSU student email. Please complete and submit the survey once you receive it. 

If you are not a current undergraduate or second bachelor's degree student and are unable to apply online, you may send an email, including your full name at the time of enrollment and RedID, to [email protected] to request a paper version of the application and further instructions on how to complete the application process to include payment of the one-time $103 nonrefundable filing fee.

When does the university graduate students?

SDSU officially graduates students at the end of the fall, spring, and summer terms. Students apply to graduate for the term in which they plan to complete all requirements for the degree. Students completing all requirements for the degree by the end of fall apply for fall graduation. Students completing all requirements for the degree by the end of spring apply for spring graduation. Students completing all requirements for the degree by the end of summer apply for summer graduation.

Is there a difference between the application for graduation and commencement?

Yes. All students that have an active graduation application on file with the university by the deadline of the published filing period will be invited to participate in the commencement ceremony. However, participation in the commencement ceremony does not mean your degree with the university has been conferred. For example, if your active graduation application on file is for summer graduation and you plan to complete your remaining degree requirements in summer immediately following the May commencement ceremony, you may participate in May commencement without having earned your degree from SDSU. You will still be required to complete the remaining requirements in summer and will be considered a summer graduate assuming successful completion of your remaining degree requirements. Learn more about commencement and degree conferral.

How do I know if I'm eligible to graduate?

There are numerous resources available to help you determine if you are on track to graduate. You are encouraged to meet with your major advisor and your minor advisor (if applicable) to discuss how well you are progressing towards the completion of your major and minor requirements. In addition, specially trained evaluations specialists are available to answer questions about the university's graduation requirements.

I applied for graduation once before and paid the fee. Do I need to pay the fee again?

Anyone applying to graduate for December 2022 or later must pay the one-time $103 nonrefundable filing fee. When submitting a graduation application online, be prepared to submit your one-time payment of $103 when prompted while navigating in the Application for Graduation menu option through the Academic Records tile in my.SDSU. If you previously paid the one-time $100 or $103 filing fee, you do not need to pay again.

How do I apply for concurrent graduate credit?

If you complete work in excess of graduation requirements during the semester or summer session in which your graduation occurs, you may petition for concurrent graduate credit. You will not be awarded concurrent graduate credit automatically or for credit earned in semesters prior to graduation. The Concurrent Graduate Petition Form must be completed and submitted by the schedule adjustment deadline of the term in which the concurrent credit is completed. Additional information about the Concurrent Graduate Credit policy is available in the University Catalog.

What is a graduation evaluation?

A graduation evaluation is an official degree evaluation prepared by your graduation advisor that lists your remaining degree requirements. The evaluation will show the remaining units needed to complete the degree as of the date the evaluation is prepared. Units in progress are included in the total units remaining. This is the official document that is used to determine whether you can receive your degree, so make sure you read the evaluation notes carefully and follow up on any issues that the graduation advisor brings to your attention.

When do I have to complete all of my graduation requirements?

All requirements must be completed by the graduation date that coincides with the term you apply for graduation. Grade changes, make-up of incomplete grades, petitions, test scores, waivers, and transcripts from other institutions must be on file with SDSU no later than the last day of the semester in which you are graduating. Official transcripts for work taken at another institution during your final semester must be received at SDSU no later than six weeks after the last day of the semester in which you are graduating.

Why does my graduation evaluation still say I need to complete a particular requirement even though my advisor told me the requirement is okay?

The graduation requirements found on your evaluation are from the University Catalog. Students are required to complete these requirements. In some cases, departments will allow an exception or adjustment to the requirements found in the University Catalog. In these instances, a Request for Adjustment of Academic Requirements (RAAR) form must be filed with all the appropriate approvals before an adjustment can be made to a student's evaluation.

My graduation evaluation says I have to send my high school transcript. Do I really need to send my high school transcript?

Yes. If your graduation evaluation indicates transcripts are required, then you must comply with this requirement. All official transcripts should be sent to:

San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7455

Or electronically, if possible to:
[email protected]

My graduation evaluation says I have to send a college transcript. Do I really need to send my college transcript? What if I dropped the course? What if I decided not to attend the institution?

Yes, all SDSU students are required to file official college transcripts from every institution they attended prior to graduation. If you decided to withdraw from coursework or not take classes from an institution you reported as attending, then you must still submit an official college transcript or official Letter of Non-Attendance prior to graduation.

If I have an Incomplete (I) in one of my courses, will that prevent me from graduating, even if I do not need the course for any remaining requirement?

In order for your degree to be conferred, all graduation requirements must be completed, all undergraduate transcripts must be on file and considered final with the Office of the Registrar, and final grades must be issued for all courses.

What if I study abroad during my last year at SDSU prior to my graduation?

Students who study abroad are required to have official transcripts sent from the institution attended before the completion of all degree requirements can be verified. SDSU is not able to accept electronic transcripts from institutions outside of the United States, so it is important to understand that some institutions located abroad can take several months to send a transcript. Therefore, students who have applied to graduate and have studied abroad in their last year might experience a delay in the finalization of their graduation.

I think I might be eligible for graduating with honors and distinction. How will I know for sure?

Graduating with honors is granted to undergraduate students who achieve high grade point averages. The determination of honors will be done at the time the bachelor's degree is conferred. Candidates for a second bachelor's degree are not eligible to graduate with honors. Distinction in the major is granted to students who meet the GPA qualifications and who have received their major department's recommendation. Your graduation advisor will automatically do the calculation of honors and distinction. However, to be considered for distinction, all removal of incompletes and grade changes must be submitted by the end of the fifth week of your final semester. All changes for summer term graduates must be received by the end of the fifth week of the spring semester prior to graduation.

Who can I contact with questions about my graduation evaluation?

Students who have questions concerning their graduation evaluation should contact their graduation advisor. Your graduation advisor's name and contact information is on the email you received when your graduation evaluation was completed. In addition, their contact information is in the Graduation Notes on the graduation evaluation.

I applied to graduate but I won't be able to complete my requirements in time. What should I do?

If you realize that you will not complete the graduation requirements by the end of the term for which you applied to graduate, then you will need to reapply for, or transfer to, the term that you plan to complete all requirements. To reapply to graduate or transfer your graduation term, email your graduation advisor, who will guide you on the next steps of the graduation application process. It is highly recommended that you consult with your graduation advisor as soon as possible to discuss your particular situation and the best possible course of action.

I applied for graduation, but I need one more semester to complete my requirements. How can I get a registration time?

If you do not complete all degree requirements by the end of the term for which you applied to graduate, then you will need to reapply for graduation for a future term during the published filing period. After the current application has been canceled and processed, it will take 24-48 business hours for the Office of the Registrar to assign you a registration date and time for the next term.

I'll have my degree requirements satisfied with the exception of my minor. Can I graduate and come back at a later date to complete my minor?

No. If you wish to earn a minor or if a minor is required by your major, you must complete all requirements for your major and minor by the graduation date for which you applied.

How do I cancel my graduation application?

Students must submit a Graduation Cancellation form to the Office of the Registrar. To obtain a Graduation Cancellation form, email your graduation advisor.

What is a graduation advisor?

A graduation advisor is a specially trained advisor who assists graduation candidates with completing the requirements for the degree. Each graduation advisor works with specific departments and majors. The graduation advisors review records, complete graduation evaluations, review petitions, and confer degrees. Once you have applied to graduate, the assigned graduation advisor for your major will answer any questions you have with regard to completing the requirements for your degree.

How do I know who my graduation advisor is and how do I contact them?

Your graduation advisor's name and contact information is included in the email that you will receive when your graduation evaluation is complete. In addition, their contact information is in the Graduation Notes on the graduation evaluation. Please email your graduation advisor and make sure you provide your RedID so that they can access your record and respond to you promptly.