Graduation

The following information applies to University students except School of Law. Law School students should view the School of Law Graduation Policies for more information.

View our Graduation Fast Facts for vital graduation information.

• "Graduation" is the conferral of your degree, which includes recording your degree on your transcript and issuing a diploma, and is administered by the Office of Records & Registration.
• "Commencement" is the annual graduation ceremony and is administered by the Office of Student Affairs. For information about the commencement ceremony, contact Student Affairs or call 415-442-7288.
  

You do not automatically graduate after finishing your academic program's requirements. You must also submit a Graduation Application and pay the application fee. Students who do not apply for graduation will not graduate, will not have degrees recorded on their transcripts, and will not receive diplomas. You do not have to attend the annual commencement ceremony in order to graduate.

To be considered a candidate for graduation, you must apply for graduation. You may do so online via GGU4YOU. Click on the "Apply for Graduation (University Degree Programs)" link from the "Student" tab menu. Alternatively, you may complete a Graduation Application form and pay the application fee. All candidates are required to apply for graduation whether or not they plan to participate in the commencement ceremony.

The deadline to submit your Graduation Application depends on your final term:

Final Term	Application Deadline
Fall 2008	November 30, 2008
Spring 2009	March 13, 2009
Summer 2009	July 10, 2009

If you miss these deadlines, your degree will be awarded in the subsequent term for which you apply.

If you plan to participate in the May 2009 commencement ceremony, you must submit your Graduation Application by February 1, 2009. Demand for seats at the ceremony is high. If you miss this deadline, your name will be placed on a wait list, and it's possible you will not be allowed to attend.

The Graduation Application is valid for three consecutive terms, starting with the term you indicate on your application. For example, if you apply to graduate in Spring 2009, the application will be valid for the Spring, Summer and Fall 2009 terms. If you have not completed your academic program requirements within those three terms, your application will expire and you will need to reapply for graduation and pay the applicable fee.

Students who have applied for graduation and are subsequently academically disqualified will be refunded the application fee provided they submit an e-mailed request to Student Accounting Services at sas@ggu.edu.

• EMBA students must submit a Graduation Application but do not need to pay the graduation fee, as it's included in their tuition.
  
• Doctoral students must apply for graduation and pay the graduation fee. For other commencement eligibility requirements, consult with the Director of the Doctoral Program.
  
• Certificate students Do not apply for graduation, but instead submit a Certificate Order Form.
  

Why does Golden Gate University charge students to graduate?
Many universities charge their students a graduation/commencement fee. Some charge the student at the beginning of his or her degree program, while others add the cost to the student's tuition and do not charge a specific fee. Golden Gate University assesses a fee to students when they apply for graduation so only those students who are graduating absorb the cost.

Do I have to apply for graduation and pay the graduation fee if I do not want to participate in commencement?
Every student must apply for graduation and pay the fee whether or not they participate in commencement. GGU will not waive the fee or part of the fee is you decide to not participate. (EMBA students must submit an Graduation Application but do not need to pay the fee, as it's included in their tuition.)

What does the fee cover?

• Review of your academic progress and any necessary updates (substitutions, etc.)
• One diploma with cover and scroll
• One transcript
• Regalia (i.e., cap, gown, tassel etc.) which is yours to keep
• Commencement program
• Other commencement-related expenses, such as hall rental, refreshments, decorations, etc.

The "conferral date" is the date that will appear on your transcript as the date your degree was conferred. It will also be the date the university will verify to third parties as the date your degree was earned.

The university has three degree and certificate conferral dates per year, each corresponding to the final day of a trimester term (i.e, Fall, Spring or Summer).

Trimester Term	Degree Conferral Date
Fall 2008	December 20, 2008
Spring 2009	April 28, 2009
Summer 2009	August 22, 2009

Your degree or certificate will be conferred when you have satisfied all of your academic program's requirements, submitted the Graduation Application and paid the application fee. The degree term will be the one in which all of these criteria have been met.

Your degree conferral date is not dependent upon your meeting your financial obligations with the university. However, the university will not release your diploma or transcript until this obligation is met.

Honors are awarded to bachelor's degree graduates who have maintained cumulative grade-point averages in their Golden Gate University courses as follows:

Honors Distinction	Grade Point Average Required
cum laude	3.50 - 3.749
magna cum laude	3.750 - 3.899
summa cum laude	3.900 - 4.000

Honors are awarded to master's degree graduates who maintained cumulative grade point averages in their Golden Gate University courses as follows:

Honors Distinction	Grade Point Average Required
with honors	3.800-3.899
with high honors	3.900-3.999
with highest honors	4.00

Students who have submitted a Graduation Application and paid the fee before the deadline listed above and have no outstanding financial obligations with the university can expect to receive their diplomas and one official copy of their transcript by first class mail approximately six weeks after their degree award date (see above). Diplomas and transcripts will be mailed to the address listed on the Graduation Application. To inquire about the status of your application, degree conferral, diploma and/or transcript, contact the Office of Records & Registration at 415-442-7200 or graduation@ggu.edu.

To inquire about participation in the commencement ceremony, commencement regalia, announcements and tickets, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 415-442-7288 or commencement@ggu.edu.