Graduation, Commencement, & Diplomas
Graduation Guide
Apply to Graduate
Note that actual graduation (to have your degree officially granted) is not automatic. You do need to officially apply to graduate Links to an external site. to get the process started. The linked Registrar's page includes how to apply (and step-by-step guide) and what you can expect afterwards, when you will receive a review, how diplomas are conferred, etc.).
If planning to graduate in Spring or Summer 2025, you can apply to graduate through your my.SDSU Links to an external site. account (select the "Academic Records" tile) between Nov. 4th, 2024 and Feb. 3rd, 2025. There is a fee to apply which is currently $112 (as of 2/12/24).
Applying to Graduate versus "Walking" in May Commencement
SDSU holds one commencement ceremony per year, in May. Students who apply to graduate any term during the academic year are automatically invited to participate in May commencement. Even if students apply to graduate for Summer and will finish their coursework during Summer term, they will be eligible to participate in the May ceremony, despite having some coursework left to complete.
Can I apply to graduate if I am taking a course at another institution in my last semester?
Yes! Students are eligible to apply to graduate even when they are in progress with a course(s) at another school in their last term. This is because SDSU allows 6 weeks after the end of our term Links to an external site. for transcripts from other schools to be received. As long as your transcript comes in during that period, you would be on track to graduate. If by chance the transcript arrives later, it could push your official graduation back by one semester (this would occur automatically if the transcript arrived too late).
Missed the deadline to apply to graduate?
The Registrar's Office will sometimes accept applications to graduate late. To request a late application, students must meet with a psychology advisor to confirm that you are on track to graduate. Then students must complete the Registrar's Contact Us form Links to an external site. and choose "Grades & Academic Records" for what their question is about. There is an additional fee for applying late, which is currently $20 (in addition to the one-time graduation application fee). The final deadline for Spring or Summer 2025 late graduation applications is Friday, April 11th, 2025. Keep in mind that it is not guaranteed that students who request a late application to graduate will be able to participate in Commencement or eligible to qualify for Distinction in the major(s).
Need to move your graduation application to a future semester?
If you applied to graduate already but need to move your graduation application to a future semester, use this form from the Registrar's Office Links to an external site.. If you do not move the application forward, you will not receive a registration date for the following semester, which could mean missing out on a course(s) you prefer to take.
Note: You must have an advising session with your major advisor before completing the form to transfer your application to another term.
Commencement Ceremony May 2025:
College of Sciences ceremony will be held on Friday, May 16th @ 8 a.m.
Students are eligible to participate in the May 2025 commencement ceremony if they complete their degree requirements by December 2024, May 2025, or August 2025. For more information on the commencement ceremony, please see the SDSU Commencement website Links to an external site..
SDSU Commencement ceremonies are organized by college. Psychology majors participate in the College of Sciences ceremony in Viejas Arena. The commencement website linked above will include information on when and where to line up before the ceremony, what to bring, buying regalia, obtaining tickets, common FAQs, etc.
Formal Registration for Commencement
Students who applied to graduate between Fall 2024 and Summer 2025 will receive an email to their @sdsu email account typically in early March. Additional registration details will be provided in advance via email and on the commencement website. All graduates planning to participate in the in-person ceremonies at Viejas Arena must register in advance in order to attend. Registering for attendance at your ceremony ensures that tickets will be issued for your guests.
GradFest & Graduation Apparel
GradFest Links to an external site. is a one-stop shop for caps and gowns and graduation memorabilia. GradFest typically occurs in about the third week of March but check the Gradfest link for details to be released.
If you are unable to attend GradFest, regalia will be available at the SDSU Bookstore and online after GradFest is over.
For more information on graduation apparel, please see the following webpage Links to an external site..
Tickets
Candidates whose applications are approved for graduation will have the opportunity to claim complimentary guest tickets for their commencement ceremony at Viejas Arena. All guests who are 1 year of age and older are required to have a ticket to attend commencement. The only exception to this rule are babies under the age of 1 who must be seated on an adult’s lap. Commencement guest tickets are all reserved seating. Guests must sit in the seat locations listed on their tickets.
The number of guest tickets for each graduate depend on which College they are in and how many students from that College apply to graduate. For psychology, the number of guest tickets typically ranges between 4 and 6 but you will be able to find the exact number on the commencement website once it is determined. For more information on tickets, please see the following website Links to an external site..
Graduation With Honors and Distinction
Honors Designations
Graduation with honors is granted to undergraduate students who achieve high grade point averages. Excellence is recognized at three levels:
- Cum laude (3.50-3.64)
- Magna cum laude (3.65-3.79)
- Summa cum laude (3.80-4.00)
Only summa cum laude students will be awarded an honors cord to be worn during the commencement ceremony. Students will be notified via letter by the Office of the Provost on when and where they are to pick up the summa cum laude honors cord.
Distinction in the Major
To conditionally qualify for Distinction in the Major, a student must have a minimum 3.50 GPA average in the major (upper division courses) by the beginning of the fall semester for December graduates and by the end of the fall semester for May and August graduates. Departments may set a higher GPA or additional criteria. Note that actual distinction to be printed on your diploma will not be determined until after all of your degree coursework has been completed.
See the following webpage Links to an external site. for more information on how eligibility is determined for graduating with honors and distinction.
Obtaining Your Diploma
Diplomas will not be distributed at commencement. The university will issue your diploma after verifying that you have completed all degree requirements. After your degree conferral Links to an external site., your diploma will be ordered and you will receive it by mail approximately 4–6 weeks after graduation if the address is domestic or up to 3–4 months if the diploma address is international.
For more information on diplomas, please see the following webpage Links to an external site..