Graduation

For a one page handout of vital graduation information click here

"Graduation" and "commencement" refer to two different activities:

• "Graduation" is the posting of your degree to your record and is administered by the Office of Enrollment Services, Records & Registration.
• "Commencement" is the ceremony marking the end of your program, and is administered by the Office of Student Affairs. Information about commencement can be found here.
  

You do not automatically graduate after finishing your course requirements. You must also submit an Application for Graduation and pay its fee. Students who have not applied will not graduate, and will not have a degree posted to their record.

To be considered a candidate for graduation, you must complete an Application for Graduation 2008 and pay the application fee. All candidates are required to do this whether or not they plan to participate in the commencement ceremony.

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

Final Term	Application Deadline
Spring 2008	March 22, 2008
Summer 2008	July 5, 2008
Fall 2008	November 30, 2008

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

If you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony, you must submit your Application for Graduation by February 1, 2008. 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 Application for Graduation is valid for three consecutive terms, starting with the term you indicate on your application. For example, if you apply to graduate in Spring 2008, the application will be valid for the Spring, Summer and Fall 2008 terms. If you have not completed your academic requirements within those three terms, your application expires and you'll 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 an Application for Graduation but do not need to pay the $105, as it's included in their tuition.
  
• Doctoral students must apply for graduation and pay the $105 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?
All 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. Golden Gate University administers 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 $105 if I do not want to participate in commencement?
Every student must apply for graduation and pay $105 whether or not they participate in commencement. GGU will not waive the fee or part of the fee is you decide to not participate.

What does the fee cover?

• Review of you 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
• Ten announcements
• Commencement program
• Other commencement-related expenses, such as hall rental, refreshments, decorations, etc.
  

The "award date" is the date that will appear on your transcript as the date your degree was bestowed. 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 award dates per year, each corresponding to the final day of a reporting term (i.e, Fall, Spring or Summer).

Term	Award Date
Fall	December 22, 2007
Spring	May 24, 2008
Summer	August 23, 2008

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

The degree date is not dependent upon you meeting your financial obligations with the university. The university will not release your diploma or transcript, however, 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 an Application for Graduation and its fee before the deadline listed above and how 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 Application for Graduation. To inquire about the status of your application, degree, diploma and/or transcript, contact the Office of Enrollment Services, 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.