Records & Registration ~ Graduation

Application to Graduate

Undergraduate students must file a graduation application and pay a $45 filing fee within the appropriate Graduation Application Filing Period. The priority application filing period is established to allow you to receive an official degree audit prior to the end of course registration for your final term of enrollment. If you file an application after the filing deadline or change your expected graduation date, you must pay a $20 late fee.

An explanation of the official Graduation Application process, current filing deadlines, filing fees, and links to required forms are available on the CSUMB Admissions & Records website under Graduation Requirements.

The application process requires a meeting with your academic advisor to finalize your Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Following submission of all the required materials, you will receive a Graduation Evaluation (degree audit) that summarizes the outstanding requirements that must be fulfilled prior to the awarding of your degree.

If you are a graduate student you must meet all deadlines for applications, petitions, and fees, but are not required to submit an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) with your graduation application.

Graduation Application Filing Period

See the Graduation Requirements webpages for current academic year filing dates.

Graduate in Spring (May) or Summer (August)
  • Priority Filing Period ~ April 15 (prior academic year) – September 1 
  • Late Filing Period with Late Fee ~ September 2 –  February 1 
Graduate in Fall  (December)
  •  Priority Filing Period ~ December 1 – March 31 (prior academic year)
  •  Late Filing Period with Late Fee ~ April 1 (prior academic year) – September 15
Diplomas

CSUMB issues diplomas following the Final Degree Check processing period for each official graduation term, not during the Commencement Ceremony. Graduates receive their diplomas via certified mail unless arrangements for pickup are made in writing with Records & Registration before the official mailing period.

Commencement Ceremony

CSUMB holds its annual commencement ceremony each year during the month of May. Participation in the commencement ceremony is voluntary. Graduation applicants who are candidates for baccalaureate or graduate degrees during the fall or spring semester, or summer term, of the same academic year are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony. You are asked to participate in only one ceremony during your academic career.  Teacher credential candidates may participate in the campus commencement ceremony and are also recognized according to a program developed and sponsored by the College of Professional Studies.