Graduation vs. Commencement

Graduation: the process where the department, your college, and the university verify that you have completed all requirements for your degree; records this completion; and awards the degree. This process can take several weeks following the completion of your final quarter.

Commencement: the celebratory ceremony of completing your degree.

Apply to Graduate:

1. Early in the quarter prior to your planned final quarter (and before enrollment for your final quarter), use the information on this link to apply to graduate.

2. Applying prior to your final quarter enrollment appointment gives us time to work with you on how to plan to complete degree requirements by the end of your final planned quarter. 

3. EEB advisors check early each week to see if they have received new applications for graduation.  We then verify the requirements which have been satisfied and those which remain as indicated in your degree progress report (DPR).  

4. We then look at your official academic plan and update it to align with your DPR, including entering any exceptions to the latter that may still be outstanding. Remember: it is your responsibility to ensure that advisors know about and enter these exceptions.

5. If we see anomalies or any potential issues with finishing your degree in the following quarter, we will notify you with next steps for action and planning.

Registration for Commencement:

1. Near the end of March each year, registration to participate in Commencement opens to students completing their degree during the academic year or at the end of summer or fall following Commencement.  Registration is determined by your Expected Graduation Term (EGT). If that needs to be updated, please see your EEB department advisor for next steps.

2. You must register for Commencement seperately from submitting your application for graduation.

3. Use the information found here to register for Commencement. Explore the site in its entirety, and reach out to commencement@ucsc.edu with any questions about the process, timing/deadlines, etc.

4. Commencement only happens once per year at UCSC (at the end of Spring).

5. Commencement is hosted by your residential college, not your major department, and will happen on main campus.  

6. The department hosts a yearly celebration of you and your completing the major, to which you are asked to RSVP--but this is not the official university Commencement. 

7. Participation in either Commencement or the departmental celebration is voluntary.