How to Graduate
Graduation is not automatic. If you are earning a degree or certificate, you must Apply for Graduation. Follow the steps below to prepare for graduation, apply for graduation, and complete requirements. For information on the ceremony, visit the commencement website.
Summer Office Hours (I4-306)
Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Friday: Closed
Office Closure
Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 8:00am - 1:00pm for Convocation.
Step 1: Prepare to Graduate
Schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor to develop your education plan for the specific degree, certificate, and/or general education pattern you are pursuing. Students can meet with their counselor in EOPS, DSPS, STAR/TRIO, or General Counseling Office.
If you have attended a college or university outside of the San Diego Community College District, please review the steps to submit and evaluate transcripts prior to applying for graduation.
Deadlines to Earn Certificate or Degree
Fall Deadlines
| October 1, 2026 |
Deadline for students transferring to a CSU in Spring 2027 to apply for an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) in the mySDCCD portal. |
| November 15, 2026 | Deadline to apply for a certificate or degree and be a Fall 2026 graduate. |
Spring & Summer Deadlines
| February 15, 2027 |
Deadline for students transferring to a CSU in Fall 2027 to apply for an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) in the mySDCCD portal. |
| March 15, 2027 |
Spring & Summer deadline to apply for a certificate or degree and have your name included in the official commencement program booklet. Applications submitted after this deadline may still participate in the ceremony, but their name will not appear in the electronic booklet. |
| April 30, 2027 | Deadline to apply for a certificate or degree and be a Spring 2027 graduate.. |
| July 31, 2027 | Deadline to apply for a certificate or degree and be a Summer 2027 graduate. |
Step 2: Apply for a Certificate or Degree
Plan to apply at the beginning of the semester in which you expect to complete your degree or certificate requirements.
- Apply for a certificate of degree though your MySDCCD portal. Under "My Academics" -> "Apply for Graduation". Be sure to click submit at the end!
- Please note that if you do not see your certificate and/or degree displayed, please meet with a counselor to update your education plan.
- You may apply 1–2 semesters in advance if you will complete all requirements by the end of the semester you select on your application. Do not wait until after the deadline to apply.
- Deadlines may vary from year to year. All Deadlines are final. View graduation deadlines.
Fall 2026 applications for a certificate or degree are open now!
Step 3: Complete Certificate/Degree Requirements
After your apply for your certificate and/or degree:
- Complete all requirements by the end of the semester selected on your application.
- Reminder: All transcripts from previously attended colleges/universities that are regionally accredited must be received and evaluated in order to obtain a degree through San Diego Community College District.
- To confirm you are on track to complete requirements, please connect with Counseling.
- Check your application status in the mySDCCD portal under "My Academics" -> "View Graduation Status".
- Once your certificate/degree status changes to "Degree Awarded" or "Diploma Printed" you may order final SDCCD transcripts.
Workshops & Events
Receive Your Diploma in the Mail
You will not receive your diploma at the Commencement Ceremony.
Diplomas for Fall, Spring, and Summer graduates are mailed directly to the students
after ALL coursework requirements for your degree and/or certificate are successfully
completed.
- All financial holds must be cleared on your student account before your diploma can be mailed.
- Diplomas are mailed to the address listed on mySDCCD typically 8-10 weeks after the end of the semester.
- Make sure your mailing address and email is up to date in your mySDCCD portal under "My Personal Information".
When will I receive my diploma?
| Term | Degrees/ Certificates Posted to Transcript | Diploma Orders Placed | Approximate time diplomas are shipped to students |
| Spring | End of June | First week of July | End of July – Beginning of August |
| Summer | End of September | First week of October | End of October – Beginning of November |
| Fall | End of January | First week of February | End of February – Beginning of March |
Graduating with Honors
Graduation with honors distinction is based upon all coursework that is associate degree and lower division baccalaureate degree applicable or coursework applicable to the certificate of achievement. If eligible, an honors notation is placed on the student's official transcript and diploma.
- Honors is granted to students who achieve an overall 3.5 GPA.
- High Honors is granted to students who achieve an overall 3.75 GPA.
- Highest Honors is granted to students who achieve an overall 4.0 GPA.
Associate Degree Honors, 3.5-4.0 GPA: Gold Tassel, Gold Cord
Certificate of Achievement Honors, 3.5-4.0: GPA White Tassel, White Cord.
Graduation with Latin Honors (Baccalaureate Degrees Only)
Candidates for one of SDCCD College's baccalaureate degrees may be eligible for Latin Honors at the time of graduation if they have fulfilled the following cumulative GPA requirements:
- Cum Laude: GPA equal to or greater than 3.5, but less than 3.75
- Magna Cum Laude: GPA equal to or greater than 3.75 but less than 4.0
- Summa Cum Laude Honors: GPA equal to 4.0
Bachelor Degree Honors, 3.5-4.0 GPA: Gold Tassel, Gold Cord.
Catalog Rights
Students who maintain continuous enrollment may choose to graduate under the college catalog in effect at the time they began their studies in a California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus, or under the catalog in effect at the time of graduation.
Continuous enrollment is defined as attendance in one semester or two quarters (excluding summer) within a calendar year in the CSU, UC, or California Community College System.
Certification of a student's completion of CSU general education requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is not a graduation requirement. Therefore, students do not have catalog rights to a certification pattern used by a certifying institution or a CSU or UC campus.
