Degree Completion Info

Submitting the graduation application through your student portal

1. Confirm that you are eligible to graduate in your intended semester with the department.
2. Log into your My.CSUDH.edu portal.
3. Click on the Student Center Link.
4. Under the “Other Academics” section on your student portal, open the drop down menu.
5. Select "Apply for Graduation" and choose the correct semester/session.
6. Verify that your degree information, address, and name are correct.
7. Click Submit Application - You will immediately see a confirmation message that you have successfully applied.
8. Go back to your Student Center and pay your graduation fees online.

*Note: Students who incorrectly choose the final semester of attendance will have to submit change of graduation date forms to the Department. When students do not apply for the correct semester, it may create registration holds and incur additional fees.

Graduation Application Deadlines

Application Filing Periods

The Electronic Application for Graduation must be submitted in accordance with the following schedule. The fees for applying to graduate are due 48 hours after you submit your online application. Failure to apply in accordance with the schedule below could delay your degree past your intended graduation date. Also, there will be additional fees assessed for submitting the graduation application and/or fees after the regular deadline.

Please note that if the above dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the following business day. 

If you missed the application deadline, contact your advisor.

Receiving Your Diploma/Degree Conferral

• The process of conferring degrees starts 2 weeks after final grades for Campus students are due (see Academic Calendar for current dates).
• The process takes approximately four to six weeks after the conferral process begins. Students must have submitted their graduation application by the February of the same year of commencement ceremony to receive the invitation by University Events to register for commencement. If you miss the registration date, you must contact University Events directly at commencement@csudh.edu.
• Once the degree is conferred and posted to the transcript, an email is sent to the student's CSUDH email account and a diploma is requested. For example, for the May 2025 commencement ceremony, students graduating from the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 semester will be eligible to participate in the May 2025 commencement ceremony.
• If you do not receive any notification from the University Registrar after 2 months have passed from the official semester end date, contact the Department at mpafacultyadvisor@csudh.edu. Official end dates for Fall semester is December 31, Spring semester is May 31, and Summer semester is August 31.
• To request certification of completion prior to the conferral of your degree for the purpose of employment, continuing education, etc., please submit a Request For Graduate Certification to the Office of Admissions & Records along with the required fee.

Commencement Ceremony

• CSUDH has one ceremony per year, which is held in May.
• Students must Register for commencement, registration is free.
• Students graduating in Fall, Spring, Summer of the current Academic Year may participate in the ceremony.
• Graduate students are not eligible for honors as all graduate students must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA.

Graduation vs. Commencement

“Graduation” and “Commencement” are two different terms. “Graduation” means actually finishing and completely fulfilling your degree requirements resulting in a diploma. In other words, “Graduation” is the technical obtainment of credits to receive a degree, also referred to as "Conferral" of your degree. “Commencement” is the symbolic ceremony marking the closing of your academic career where you receive commendation for your hard work at CSUDH. It is an opportunity for you, your family, friends, and the CSUDH community to celebrate your accomplishment.

Updated: 9/13/2024