Graduation FAQs
Fall 2025 graduates:
- Review your MyProgress to make sure it is accurate. See Graduation Checklist page for more details.
This page will address frequently asked questions and discussion topics about the graduation process. For diploma related topics, visit the Diploma Information page.
- Application Status
- Awarding Degrees
- Commencement Information
- Confirmation Email
- Course Substitution
- Degree Verification
- Dropping a Minor
- Graduation Term
- Changing Major Requirements
- Hold Letters
- Latin Honors
- MyProgress
- Transfer Credit
- Unit Requirements
- Other Topics
Application Status
When the Office of the Registrar has processed your application, you will see a status update in MySJSU. We will also send you a confirmation email.
Confirmation Email
Your graduation evaluator will send you a confirmation email after reviewing your application. This email will provide a list of the outstanding requirements based on your MyProgress report. You may need to check your email trash and spam folders to locate this email. Also note that you might not receive this email until 2-3 months after you apply for graduation.
Changes to Your Major Requirements
If you have changes to your major requirements, contact your major advisor or department to update your MyProgress report.
Dropping a Minor
If you wish to drop a minor, download and complete the Drop Minor form [pdf]. Send the completed form directly to your graduation evaluator. If you do not formally drop the minor, you will be held to those requirements. Similarly, if you currently have a double major and wish to drop one major, use the Drop Major form [pdf].
Transfer Credit
If you have taken or are currently taking coursework at another institution, submit official transcripts when those final grades are available. SJSU will accept official electronic transcripts at etranscript@sjsu.edu. Inform your evaluator after you send your transcripts. Note that you may not transfer more than 70 units from community colleges.
Hold Letters
At the end of your graduation term, you may receive hold letter if you have not completed all degree requirements. This letter will list the outstanding items and provide instructions for how to resolve the issues.
Common items in the hold letter include:
- Outstanding GE, major, minor, or unit requirements
- Outstanding Study Abroad coursework
- Unresolved Incomplete (I) or Report Delayed (RD) grades
- Deadline by which documents must be submitted to their evaluator
If you just completed your final semester, follow the instructions on your hold letter and contact your graduation evaluator if you have questions.
If you last attended more than one semester ago, visit your college success center for guidance. They can provide a copy of the hold letter. You will also need to submit a graduation date change plus any additional forms as requested by your evaluator.
Latin Honors
To qualify for Latin Honors, both your Cumulative SJSU GPA and your All College GPA
must meet the minimum requirements. Your department may have additional honors for
your major. If you qualify, we will automatically apply the appropriate honor(s) to
both your diploma and transcript. If you have questions about medallions, contact
the Commencement Team.
| Honor | GPA |
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.85 - 4.00 |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.70 - 3.84 |
| Cum Laude | 3.50 - 3.69 |
Awarding Degrees
The Office of the Registrar will normally award degrees about one month after the end of the semester.
- Fall candidates - end of January
- Spring candidates - middle of June
- Summer candidates - end of August
After we award your degree, your record is sealed and we cannot make any changes. This includes grade changes and updates to your major or minor.
Degree Verification
After you see your degree posted in MySJSU, you may request degree verification letter while you wait for your diploma to arrive in the mail. Note that your official transcript will show your conferred degree.
Commencement Information
Graduation vs Commencement
Graduation is the process where a student completes all program requirements and the university awards the degree.
Commencement is the ceremony to honor graduating students. The Fall ceremony is for the preceding Summer and current Fall graduates. The Spring ceremony is for the current Spring and upcoming Summer graduates.
Sign-up to walk in the Ceremony
Visit the Commencement Website for the most current information about the upcoming activities.
Medallions and Regalia
Visit the Commencement Website for information about medallions and regalia
I walked, but my status is still pending.
Your graduation status will remain "Need to finish pending work" until we award your degree.
Unit Requirements
What are the upper division (UD) requirements for my degree?
You must complete at least 40 upper division units. These can be all at SJSU or may include transfer credit.What are the SJSU residency unit requirements?
You must complete at least 30 units at SJSU. A minimum of 24 units must be upper division and at least 12 must be in your major.I do not have 120 units to graduate. What are my options?
Every situation is unique. Contact your graduation evaluator to discuss your options.Graduation Term
Wrong term on my graduation application.
Follow the these instructions to change your graduation date.
How do I change my graduation term?
Follow the these instructions to change your graduation date.
Graduation term not listed on the application drop down menu.
You are trying to apply too soon. Contact an advisor from your College Success Center.
May I graduate in the Winter term?
No. We only award degrees after the Spring, Summer, and Fall terms.
MyProgress Report
How do I access the MyProgress Report?
View this short tutorial on how to access MyProgress.
When will I see my transfer credit on MyProgress?
Processing times may vary. Inform your graduation evaluator when you confirm that SJSU has received the official transcripts from the other schools.
When will my course substitution appear in MyProgress?
Processing times may vary. Ask your major advisor or department enter an exception in MyProgress.MyProgress shows all green, but my status still says "Need to finish pending work".
Your graduation status will remain "Need to finish pending work" until we award your degree.A course I completed does not show up on MyProgress
Check to see if your major advisor entered a substitution in MyProgress. If the course is still missing, contact your graduation evaluator.Course Substitutions
Advisor approved a course change
Ask your major advisor or department to enter an exception in MyProgress.
I took a class for my major at another school
Submit the official transcript from the other school then ask your major advisor or department enter an exception in MyProgress.
I took a course different from those shown on MyProgress
Ask your major advisor or department enter an exception in MyProgress.
My advisor gave me a waiver for a class
Ask your major advisor or department enter an exception in MyProgress.
My substitution does not appear in MyProgress
If you believe you are missing a course substitution, contact your graduation evaluator to review your status.
Other Topics
Taking classes after graduation.
Once we award your degree, you record is sealed. If you want to take more classes after graduation, you must apply to a new program or attend as an Open University student.
How do I waive my SJSU PE requirement
You may be exempt from the SJSU PE requirements if you have continuous enrollment in California colleges since 2014, completed PE classes at another college, or have military service. Contact your graduation evaluator for details.
How do I locate my major advisor or college success center?
Visit the SJSU catalog for the latest contact information for college success centers and advisors.
May I complete my minor separate from my major?
You must complete all degree requirements at the same time. We will award your degree after you complete the last requirement.
May I receive a letter showing my degree and the courses I completed?
We can send a degree verification letter. It will show your degree, major, and conferral date. To get a list of courses, you need to order an official transcript.
