Apply for Graduation

Graduation Requirements 

  1. A minimum of 60 degree-applicable units of college work
  2. Math and English Competency Requirements
  3. Exercise Science Degree Requirements (except in University Studies and AA-T Degrees)
  4. At least a 2.0 GPA in all college work counted toward GE requirements
  5. At least a 2.0 GPA in all college work counted toward major requirements
  6. A maximum of 12 Pass semester units may be counted
  7. Residency:
    • Associate Degree:At least 12 degree-applicable semester units must be completed at Cuyamaca College. If you are sending your last required course from another institution outside GCCCD, you must have completed 45 degree-applicable units in residence at GCCCD.
    • Certificates:
      Last required course in major must be completed at Cuyamaca College.
  8. Satisfy all major requirements
  9. 2nd Degree Requirements: If a student is pursuing an additional degree after obtaining a degree from any institution, the student must have at least 12 required units remaining in the major from the time they earned their previous degree and they must be completed in residence at Cuyamaca College.

Application Process

It's important to note that you won't graduate automatically once you meet all the requirements - you need to apply for graduation to make it official. At Cuyamaca College, the application process has specific deadlines that vary depending on the degree or certificate you are pursuing.

 Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT):

For Spring 2024 CSU Applicants (CSU application period August 1 - August 31, 2023): To ensure sufficient processing time for CSU E-Verification, it is highly recommended to apply for the ADT Degree by September 8, 2023.  Final degree application deadline is October 13, 2023.

 

For Fall 2024 CSU Applicants (CSU application period October 1 – November 30, 2023): To ensure sufficient processing time for CSU E-Verification, it is highly recommended to apply for the ADT Degree by February 9, 2024. Final degree application deadline is March 8, 2024.

 

Associate Degrees & Certificates (Non-ADTs):
Summer 2023: Apply by June 29, 2023 - 5pm Fall 2023: Apply by October 13, 2023 - 5pm
Spring 2024*: Apply by March 8, 2024 - 5pm
*The application for Spring 2024 Cuyamaca College degrees/certificates will open for submission on September 18, 2023.

 

*SDSU Spring Admissions Appeals for Veterans and Active Duty: applicants who wish to use an ADT for admission that was not posted by June must file a general petition in Admissions and Records. Please contact Cuyamaca.Transfer@gcccd.edu for assistance.

 

Degree and Certificate Application Steps

To apply for a degree and/or certificate, please read all of the following steps:

  1. Make sure all official transcripts from outside institutions you have previously attended are submitted to Admissions and Records by the application deadline posted above.
    Note: Electronic delivery of transcripts is best, if available.
    • 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. 
  2. Check your eligibility status with a counselor to ensure you meet all of your degree/certificate requirements. Contact Counseling Services to make an appointment, or use "Talk with a Counselor" to verify you meet all graduation requirements. 
  3. Submit your degree/certificate application to the Admissions and Records office before the posted deadline dates listed above. The earlier the better! 

Degree/Certificate Evaluations

Processing of degree/certificate applications will begin according to the following schedule:  June 1st for summer applications; August 1 for fall applications; December 1 for spring applications.

 

Approximately 2 weeks from the date noted above, or from the time your application is received if submitted after the dates listed above, you will receive an official evaluation via email which shows your status towards completing the degree(s) and/or certificate(s) you requested. Attached to your evaluation(s) will be a letter explaining how to read your evaluation(s) and information about the graduation process.

What if I'm Not Ready to Graduate?

If you do not have all required course(s) either completed or in-progress by the drop deadline of the semester in which you apply to earn a degree/certificate, you will be notified by email that your request for graduation has been denied and you will need to reapply in a future semester. All application and drop deadlines are listed in the class schedule and college catalog, as well as the college website

Receiving Your Diploma

Before the Final Exam period of each term, the Evaluations Office will send an email to all degree/certificate candidates for that term, with an estimate of when diplomas will be mailed.  If you would prefer to pick-up your diploma in person, please send a request to the Evaluations Office at: cuyamaca.evaluations@gcccd.edu

 

If a change of address is needed of where to mail your diploma(s), please email your Evaluator directly or the Evaluations Office at cuyamaca.evaluations@gcccd.edu 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 1st 

Summer term:       July 15th

Fall term:               December 15th

      

Note: This mailing address change is only for your diploma(s) to be mailed. To officially change your address on file with the college, you must complete an Address Change form, which can be found on the Admissions and Records webpage, and submit it to the Admissions and Records Office at: cuyamaca.admissions@gcccd.edu or you may update your address through your Self Service account. 

Petitions, Modifications, and Changes

If you intend to file a General Petition to address a degree/certificate requirement, pursue major course adjustments with a specific department via a Modification of Major form, or make official Name, Address, or Email changes, these forms must be filed in the Admissions and Records Office or Evaluations by the stated application deadline. 

 

Modification of Major forms, as well as, Name, Address, and Email changes can be accessed, submitted, and processed electronically. These forms and further instructions can be found on the Admissions and Records Forms webpage. 

Petition forms and instructions can be found on the Admissions and Petitions Form webpage. 

 

All graduation and diploma communications will be sent to the email address on file with the college, which can be verified on Self-Service. Please ensure your email address is correct to avoid missing important information about your degree/certificate and the graduation (Commencement) ceremony.

Making Changes to Your Graduation Applications

If you would like to add or remove degree/certificate selections on your graduation application, adjust your diploma mailing address, or your choice regarding the Commencement Ceremony, please email your Evaluator directly (listed below) with the requested changes. Please DO NOT submit a new graduation application. The deadline to request changes to your application are as follows: 

 

Spring semester:          The week of Spring Break

Summer semester:       July 15th

Fall semester:               Thanksgiving Week

Questions?

Contact:

Dana Mints (Last Name A-L)

Email:

dana.mints@gcccd.edu

Contact:

Lisa Di Bella (Last Name M-Z)

E-mail:

lisa.dibella@gcccd.edu

Office:

Admissions and Records

Student Services Building: G-102

Title:

Evaluations Advisor

Hours:

Mon - Thurs

Friday

8am - 5pm

9am - 1pm