Commencement
Commencement ceremonies take place twice per academic year on the Saturday following spring semester final exams and the Friday of Fall semester final exams week. Each college hosts its own ceremony. Information about the ceremony is available on the Commencement website.
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Graduation, Applying for
The university does not automatically grant academic degrees upon completion of degree requirements. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree may apply for graduation any time after they have reached junior standing (earned 60 units), and it is strongly recommended they apply at least three semesters before they expect to complete all degree requirements. For most students this will be early in their junior year. If a student has not applied to graduate by the time they have reached senior standing (earned 90+ units) a hold will be placed on future registration until the application is received. It is recommended that students pursuing master’s degrees apply for graduation at least one semester before finishing all degree requirements. Applying on time ensures that students receive their degree checks in time for adequate planning and advising for the final semester(s) of enrollment. Application deadlines are published on the Office of the Registrar’s website. After the deadline a $10 late fee will be assessed.
Undergraduate students apply for graduation via Student Center. Forms for graduate students are available from the Office of Academic Programs & Undergraduate/ Graduate Studies. Graduation processing fees are posted to the students account.
Applying for graduation initiates the degree evaluation process, participation in commencement, diploma ordering and commencement booklet publication. An official degree check is prepared by the Office of the Registrar. The degree check summarizes how degree requirements have been satisfied and lists remaining requirements for graduation. The degree check is emailed to the student and their academic advisor. Students are encouraged to come to the Office of the Registrar if they have any questions about their degree check or, if they wish, to receive an update on their progress towards their degree objective.
Students are not eligible to register for the term following the expected graduation date without first reapplying to the university as a post-baccalaureate student or deferring the expected date of graduation.
After semester grades are processed, degree checks are reviewed for all candidates for graduation for that term. If all degree requirements are satisfied, the degree is posted to the student’s academic record and a diploma is sent shortly thereafter. If any requirements remain unsatisfied, an email outlining the deficiency is sent to the student. Should the student need to postpone graduation after the expected date of graduation has passed, a reapplication fee is required.
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Honors and Distinction
Graduation with Distinction (Graduate)
Master’s candidates awarded the Patricia O. McConkey Award in their program will graduate with distinction. Students who participate in commencement, but who have not completed their culminating experience requirement may be nominated for the award the following semester.
Graduation with Honors (Undergraduate)
Cal Poly Humboldt awards honors to undergraduate students at the time of graduation, based on the criteria below. Honors are printed on the diploma and on official transcripts.
- Completion of 30 units in letter-graded coursework in residence at Cal Poly Humboldt
- A minimum GPA of 3.50 on all work taken at Cal Poly Humboldt
- An overall minimum GPA of 3.50 on all work attempted
The overall grade point average (including both transfer and Cal Poly Humboldt coursework) determines which honors the student receives at graduation:
- Summa Cum Laude 3.85 to 4.00
- Magna Cum Laude 3.70 to 3.84
- Cum Laude 3.50 to 3.69
See Semester Honors for information about the Dean’s List and Presidential Scholar designations.
Honors (Second-baccalaureate Degree Candidates)
When computing grade point averages for honors purposes, all undergraduate units from Cal Poly Humboldt and transfer colleges will be considered, plus the Cal Poly Humboldt post-baccalaureate units.
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