How to Graduate with a Degree or Certificate

All transcripts are required for Associate Degree requests but are only required for Certificate of Achievements and Specialization if courses from an outside college will be used to satisfy requirements.

Official work-in-progress transcripts are required by the application deadline for concurrent enrollment at another college during the term in which the application is filed. A final follow-up official transcript is required at the completion of the term in order to finalize and award the degree/certificate. This applies to all Associate Degree requests, and to Certificates as outlined above.

Degree/certificate application processing follows this schedule: June 1 for summer, August 1 for fall, and December 1 for spring applications.

Within approximately 3 weeks of these dates (or from when your late application is received), you'll receive an official evaluation by email, detailing your progress toward completing your requested degree(s) and/or certificate(s). A letter explaining how to interpret the evaluation(s) and outlining the graduation process will also be included.

To file a General Petition for a degree/certificate requirement, request major course adjustments via a Modification of Major form, or update Name, Address, or Email, submit the necessary forms to the Admissions and Records or Evaluations Office by the application deadline.

Update forms are available on the Admissions and Records webpage and can be submitted electronically.

To add or remove degree/certificate selections, adjust your diploma mailing address, or update Commencement Ceremony details, email the Evaluations Advisor with the requested changes by the following dates. Please do not submit a new graduation application.

• Spring semester: Week of Spring Break
• Summer semester: July 15
• Fall semester: Thanksgiving Week

Final grades are processed by the Admissions and Records Office 2-3 weeks after the semester officially ends. Eligibility for degrees/certificates will be updated, and if all requirements are met, your degree and/or certificate will be posted to your Cuyamaca College transcript.

Note: All official transcripts from outside institutions, including concurrent work-in- progress transcripts, must be received before degrees/certificates can be finalized.

To verify your earned degree/certificate for an outside institution or agency, order a final transcript with the "Hold for Degree/After Degree is Posted" option, ensuring your degree/certificate is included before mailing. We recommend ordering final transcripts by the final exam period to allow processing time.

For degrees and certificates earned in previous semesters, official transcripts can be ordered at any time.

Before the Final Exam period each term, the Evaluations Office will email all degree/certificate candidates with an estimated mailing date for diplomas.

To update your diploma mailing address, email the Evaluations Advisor or Evaluations Office with your full name, student ID#, preferred mailing address, and the semester in which you are earning your degree/certificate by the following deadlines:

• Spring term: June 1
• Summer term: July 15
• Fall term: December 15

Note: This change applies only to your mailed diploma. To officially change your address with the college, complete an Address Change Form and submit it to the Admissions and Records Office or update your address via WebAdvisor.

If you prefer to pick up your diploma in person, email the Evaluations Office with your request.

If you do not have all required courses completed or in-progress by the drop deadline of the semester in which you apply for a degree/certificate, you will be notified by email that your graduation request has been denied, and you will need to reapply in a future semester. All application and drop deadlines are available in the class schedules and college catalog.

Each year, the Cuyamaca College Commencement Ceremony is held on campus at the end of the spring semester for eligible graduates. The Student Affairs Department will send ceremony information to the email on file in late April to eligible students.

For more details, visit the Commencement page.

Note: Students completing a degree/certificate in a future term may request to participate in the ceremony with approval from Counseling Services. Contact Counseling for deadlines, instructions, and criteria (usually in early May, so inquire promptly).

To graduate with Honors, you must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher for all degree- applicable units from all colleges attended. This GPA is calculated at the completion of the term in which you apply for an associate degree and applies only to associate degrees (Certificates of Achievement and Certificates of Specialization are not eligible).

For the Commencement Ceremony, Honors recognition is based on the following GPAs:

• Summer and Fall graduates: Final overall degree-applicable GPA when the degree is posted.
• Spring candidates: Overall degree-applicable GPA at the end of the 8th week of classes.

After final grades are posted for the spring term, the final GPA will determine official Honors eligibility, which will be noted on the college transcript and diplomas (this may differ from the GPA listed in the commencement program).

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK)

Membership in PTK is separate from Graduating with Honors. For more information, please contact the Cuyamaca College Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

The GPA for PTK membership and ongoing eligibility each semester is based on the Cuyamaca College GPA and units completed, which differs from the overall degree- applicable GPA used for Graduating with Honors in the semester of completion.