Records & Registration ~ Graduation

Applying to Graduate

As a bachelor's degree candidate, you must file an application for graduation during the filing period for the term in which you will complete all final required coursework for your degree.  

A $40 graduation application/diploma fee is due at the time that you submit your application. If you file your application after the priority filing deadline you will also be charged a late processing fee of $20 in addition to the $40 application/diploma fee. Students filing applications during the late application period may not receive their official graduation evaluation prior to the end of the registration period for their final semester at CSUMB.  Applications are not accepted after the final late application deadline. 

The application process requires a meeting with your academic advisor to finalize your Individual Learning Plan (ILP) which must be included when you submit your official application for graduation. Once your application and ILP have been reviewed, you will receive an official Graduation Evaluation (degree audit) form that summarizes the outstanding requirements that you must fulfill before the awarding of your degree.

Records & Registration provides an explanation of the official graduation application process, current filing deadlines/fees and links to required forms on the Records & Registration page of the CSUMB website under Graduation.

If you are a master's degree candidate, the same graduation application form, deadlines and fees are required. You may not need to submit an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) with your graduation application (check with your program advisor) and you will not receive a degree audit from Records & Registration prior to final degree check processing.

Graduation Application Filing Period

See the Applying to Graduate webpage for specific filing dates and fee information for the current academic year. CSUMB currently awards degrees in Fall, Spring and Summer terms.

General filing date guidelines:

Applying to Graduate in Spring (May) or Summer (July) Terms

• Priority Filing Period runs from approximately April 1 of the prior academic year to September 1
• Late Filing Period with Late/Processing Fee runs from approximately September 2 to February 1

Applying to Graduate in Fall (December) Term

• Priority Filing Period runs from approximately December 1 to May 1 of the prior academic year
• Late Filing Period with Late/Processing Fee runs from approximately May 2 of the prior academic year to September 15

Diplomas

CSUMB issues diplomas following the Final Degree Check processing period for each official graduation term. Your diploma will be mailed to the diploma address listed on your application for graduation unless you submit an official address change form or make arrangements to pickup your diploma in writing before the end of your official graduation term.

Commencement Ceremony

CSUMB holds its annual commencement ceremony each year during the month of May. Participation in this celebration of educational achievement is voluntary and CSUMB diplomas are NOT distributed during this event. Graduation applicants who are candidates for baccalaureate or graduate degrees during the fall, spring or summer term of the same academic year are eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony. Students are asked to participate in only one ceremony during their academic career. Teacher credential candidates may participate in the campus commencement ceremony and are also recognized through a program developed and sponsored by the College of Professional Studies.