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.

• "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.

Final Term	Application Deadline*	Degree Conferral Date	Diploma & Transcript Mailed During the Month of:	Commencement Ceremony Date
Fall 2009	November 27, 2009	December 19, 2009	February 2010	May 1, 2010
Spring 2010	March 12, 2010	April 27, 2010	June 2010	May 1, 2010
Summer 2010	July 9, 2010	August 21, 2010	October 2010	May 1, 2010

*If you plan to participate in the May 2010 commencement ceremony, you must submit your Graduation Application by February 1, 2010. Demand for seats at the ceremony is high. If you miss this deadline, your name will be placed on a wait list, but it is possible you will not be allowed to attend.

Please note the following policies and procedures:

• You must apply for graduation, whether or not you participate in the commencement ceremony. If you do not apply, your degree will not be conferred.
• Your degree date will be the last day of the term in which you have satisfied all of your program's academic requirements and submitted the application for graduation and paid the fee.
• Degrees are not awarded retroactively. If you satisfied all of your program's academic requirements in an earlier term but failed to apply for graduation, your degree date will be the final date of the term for which you apply.
• The application fee is generally non-refundable. 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.
• Your 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 2010, the application will be valid for the Spring, Summer and Fall 2010 terms. If you have not completed your academic program requirements within those three terms, your application will expire and you will be required to reapply for graduation and pay the applicable fee in order to graduate.
• 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.
• EMBA students must apply for graduation but do not need to pay the graduation fee, as it is 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 should 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
• Commencement program
• Other commencement-related expenses, such as hall rental, refreshments, decorations, etc.

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

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.