Steps to Apply for Graduation | Are you on track?  | Not a Current Student?  | Course Substitution Hints  | Commencement Information  | Honors at Graduation  | Additional Info for Graduate Students

The last step to completing your degree is to file for your bachelor's or master's degree. For Undergraduate students, please evaluate your Academic Requirements Report (ARR) with your major/minor department before applying for graduation. You must complete the online graduation application by the posted deadline dates:

Steps to Apply for Graduation

Students may choose from three Graduation terms Spring, Summer, and Fall.  Application processes will vary for undergraduate and graduate students; see below for details.

Former students (not current students) who have not attended SSU for more than two semesters will need to follow our instructions for students who have not attended SSU for more than 2 semesters. 

Undergraduate Students​

• Please see our How Do I Apply Online To Graduate video for details on the online graduate process. 

• You must set up an appointment with your Major Advisor to go over your program and determine when you will be ready to apply. You may apply online once you have completed 90 units and have at least 15 units completed in residence (at Sonoma State).

Graduate Students

• Please submit the Master's Degree Graduation Application. Additional information can be found under the Graduate Program Forms and Deadlines page.

Additional Information 

• Once your application has been received and entered, you will receive an email to your SSU e-mail account which will include important information and application confirmation. At this time, you will be instructed to review and/or update your diploma name and diploma mailing address.
• You will not be cleared for graduation if there are any outstanding requirements showing in RED on your ARR.

• You may submit your preferred diploma name and address online

• Late applications will automatically be posted for the next eligible graduation term.
• Other questions? See the Graduation FAQ

Are You on Track for Graduation?

• Your ARR determines graduation eligibility. Use your ARR to track your graduation requirements and review your graduation status. Be sure to check your ARR for accuracy and report any errors to your advisor. 
• You can access your ARR on your MySSU account. Go to the Reading ARR instructions page for more help.
• You will not be cleared for graduation if there are any outstanding requirements showing in RED or YELLOW at the time degrees are awarded for the term.

Students who have not attended SSU for more than 2 semesters

Students not in a period of continuous enrollment at the time of filing for their degree must meet the catalog requirements in effect at the time of filing.

1. Fill out a Graduation Matriculation Form.

2. Fill out an Undergraduate Application or Graduate Application as appropriate. 

3. Meet with your advisor to review the current graduation requirements and determine what, if any, additional coursework you may need to take.

4. Submit your signed Graduation Application and Graduation Matriculation forms to the Office of the Registrar by the posted deadlines.

5. For students who have been separated for 5 years or more, you will need to resubmit ALL transcripts from ALL colleges/universities attended.

Course Substitution - Helpful Hints

RQ number  Include the complete RQ number (example: XXX-XX ).

Explanation  Include the exact 'heading' of the requirement being met (there may be multiple requirement headings under the same RQ number). Include as much detail as possible, as this will allow for fast processing and will help avoid delays in having to return the form to get the necessary information.

International Program (IP) Courses  Include the full course topic/title as it appears on the transcript (example: 'American Art: 1960's Era').

Transfer Courses  Verify that the transfer course covers the required units, otherwise you will need to apply another course to make up for the remaining overall units.

Please Note: Substitutions for transfer and IP courses cannot be processed until the official transcript has been received and posted to the student's record.

Commencement

What's the difference between graduation and commencement? Graduation is the actual academic semester, or term, in which you officially and successfully complete all of your graduation requirements. You must apply for the term in which you plan to graduate. Once grades are posted, your record will be evaluated and if all requirements are met, your degree will be awarded.

The commencement ceremony is often referred to as 'graduation', but in reality there is a difference.  Commencement is a ceremony and celebration for students who are projected to successfully complete all of their graduation requirements by the end of spring semester or those that completed in the prior fall or upcoming summer semesters. You will not receive a diploma at the commencement ceremony. 

For information on commencement ceremonies, please go to the commencement website.

Degree with Honors

Degree Honors:  Criteria used to determine honors at graduation are those in effect as of the date of graduation.  Students graduating with the baccalaureate earn degree honors by meeting the following criteria:

   a.  Completion of a minimum of 45 letter-graded semester units in residence; and

   b.  Attainment of cumulative and SSU grade point averages as indicated below:

Summa Cum Laude is awarded to those students achieving a cumulative grade point average in ALL university and college work and a cumulative GPA in all work undertaken at SSU of not less than 3.90. 

Magna Cum Laude is awarded to those students achieving a cumulative grade point average in ALL university and college work and a cumulative GPA in all work undertaken at SSU of not less than 3.75. 

Cum Laude is awarded to those students achieving a cumulative grade point average in ALL university and college work and a cumulative GPA in all work undertaken at SSU of not less than 3.50. 

For the purposes of the commencement program, SSU utilizes data from the last graded semester (fall or spring) and does not calculate in coursework in progress.  Final determination of honors will be determined at the time the degree is posted and, if applicable, will be listed on your diploma and official transcripts.

For further information regarding grades, guidelines and University statutes, please refer to the SSU Catalog.

Additional Information for Graduate Students

For All Graduate Students

You must apply to graduate by submitting the Master's Degree Graduation Application to the Office of the Registrar.

*Note: If you already applied for an earlier graduation date but didn't complete your requirements, you must reapply or submit a Graduation Changes Form.

For Those Completing a Thesis or Project

Submit your signed Completion of Requirements form (GS 02) along with the review copy of your thesis or project to the Graduate Studies Office (Stevenson 1041).  Your thesis or project must have been publicly defended and approved by your committee prior to submitting to the Graduate Studies Office.

For those Completing with Other Culminating Experiences (Comprehensive Exam, Professional Papers, Cognate, Internships, etc.): Submit your signed Completion of Requirements form (GS 02) to the Graduate Studies Office (Stevenson 1041).