Bachelor's Degree

What are the requirements for the award of a Bachelor's degree?

You must satisfy the following requirements in order to be awarded a Bachelor's degree from CSULB.

You can keep track of your progress toward earning your Bachelor's degree by checking MyDegree Progress on MyCSULB, which will also give you detailed requirements for your specific degree. A "how-to" guide on using MyDegree Progress can be found on MyCSULB – just log in and click on the “How-to Guides” tab at the top of your home page.

• Earn a Minimum of 120 Units Your degree may require more than this. For details regarding your particular major, refer to MyDegree Progress or to the University Catalog for the academic year in which you were admitted to your degree program.

• Earn a Minimum of 30 Units in Residence You must earn a minimum of 30 units at CSULB, including at least 24 upper-division and at least 12 major units. A maximum of 24 units of special session or open university credit earned prior to your admission term or while in a non-degree status may be counted toward your degree.

• Earn a Minimum of 40 Upper-Division Units You must earn a minimum of 40 units in courses numbered 300-499. You must take all upper division courses in your major within a 10-year period. If you took upper division units more than 10 years before completing your program, you may not apply those units to your program unless your major department revalidates them.

• Activity UnitsActivity courses provide practice in such areas as music, dance, physical education and Sports, Athletics, and Recreation. Except as required by a student's major, students may apply to the degree no more than eight units each of activity course credit in music, dance, or physical education and no more than four units of activity course credit in SAR, up to a total of no more than 20 units in all areas.

• Complete the General Education (GE) Pattern You are required to complete a specific pattern of approved GE courses. Please see MyDegree Progress or the University Catalog for the academic year in which you were admitted to CSULB. You can also contact the Academic Advising Center at (562) 985-4837 for further information.

• Satisfy Major Requirements Specific course and unit requirements must be earned for your particular major. Refer to MyDegree Progress or the University Catalog for requirements specific to your degree program and catalog year. All upper-division courses required for your major must be completed within 10 years preceding the award of your bachelor's degree. If courses were taken more than 10 years prior, they must be retaken or revalidated by the department.

• Maintain Minimum 2.00 GPA A minimum 2.00 GPA is required in each of the following:

  • All college courses
  • All college courses attempted at CSULB
  • All courses in your major
  • All upper-division courses in your major attempted at CSULB

  The results of all four GPA calculations can be found on MyDegree Progress.

• Complete UNIV 100 If you enter CSULB with fewer than 60 units, you must pass the UNIV 100 course.

• Satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) Continuing students must attempt the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) by the time they complete 60 units of credit (i.e., their junior year). Upper-division transfer students must attempt the WPE early in their first semester in residency at CSULB, unless they have demonstrated competence at another CSU campus. All students must attempt the WPE prior to filing a Request to Graduate. To graduate, students must pass the WPE or equivalent. For additional information, see Testing and Evaluation Services.

• Receive Formal Faculty Approval from your major department. This does not require any action on the part of the student.

Check out the University Catalog and MyDegree Progress for detailed requirements for your specific degree. Also, check out the University Catalog for the academic year in which you were admitted to your degree program for additional information.

How do I file for graduation?

Follow these four steps to file for graduation:

1. Download and complete a Request to Graduate form. Carefully review the criteria required to file, which are listed below.

2. Meet with the undergraduate advisor in your major department to plan how you will complete your remaining major requirements for graduation.

3. Meet the following requirements before submitting your completed Request to Graduate form:

   Required to File for Graduation	Contact for Information
   Attempt the WPE.	Office of Testing and Evaluation Services, Brotman Hall (BH) 216, (562) 985-4006
   Maintain good academic standing.	Student Academic Records
   Have no financial obligation to CSULB.	Student Account Services, BH 170A, (562) 985-8280
   Have an approved major recorded with Enrollment Services ("pre" majors cannot file for graduation).	Department Advisor
   If your advisor does not use the Advisor Request System, you must submit an approved Program Planner in a sealed envelope.	Department Advisor
   Earn at least 90 units, which may include classes you are currently attempting.	Department Advisor

4. Pay your Diploma and Commencement fees. Current fees are listed in the University Catalog

When do I file for graduation?

What if I file late for graduation?

If you file later than the filing dates listed above, you must file a Request to Apply for Graduation After the Published Deadline from Enrollment Services (BH-101) along with your Request to Graduate form. Follow the instructions on the petition form. You must pay a $10 missed deadline fee. Filing this petition does not guarantee that you will be allowed to graduate for the term you request.

What happens after I file my Request to Graduate?

1. A degree audit is performed by Enrollment Services to determine if you have any outstanding requirements, such as courses, transcripts for transfer work, course substitutions, grade changes, petitions, etc. An e-mail will be sent to you when this audit is complete. When you receive this e-mail, make sure to check MyDegree Progress on MyCSULB, verify the updates and review any remaining requirements.

   Every effort is made to update your degree audit before you register for your final semester, provided that you submit your Request to Graduate form before the appropriate deadline. However, delays can occur, so we recommend that you stay in contact with your department advisor to review your progress.

   Help us help you!

   Keep your current mailing address and e-mail address up-to-date so that important notices reach you. You can update both of these address types through MyCSULB.

2. The final review of your record begins about three weeks after your final semester. Be sure to submit any documents still needed to complete your degree. All documents that affect your degree, such as petitions, transcripts for transfer work, substitutions, grade changes, and waivers must be on file on the last day of your declared graduation semester.

   If you plan to attend another school while attending CSULB, you should submit a “Request for Enrollment at Another Institution” form prior to enrolling. We will review the form and notify you as to how those units earned at another school will be used in your CSULB degree program. The earlier we receive your form, the sooner we can reply.

   Your official transcript with final grades for course work completed at another school must be on file in Enrollment Services as follows:

   Term external course work taken	Transcript Deadline
   Spring	July 1
   Summer	October 1
   Fall	February 1
   Winter	March 1

   If you have outstanding requirements, you may attend your commencement ceremony; however, attending the ceremony does not constitute graduation. Visit the commencement web site for more information.

   Remember, all required documents must be submitted by the last day of the term in which you plan to graduate. If you attended another institution during your last semester before graduating, you must submit those transcripts by the above deadline, or you may not graduate in the term for which you filed. Your graduation date may be moved forward to the next regular term.

3. Within three months after the final review, you will be notified of one of the following by e-mail:

   • You have successfully completed all requirements, and your diploma has been ordered. Congratulations e-mail is sent out every week to candidates whose degrees were awarded the previous week.

   • You will not be able to graduate because you have not met one or more of the requirements. Your graduation date will be automatically moved forward to the next regular term (Spring or Fall).

4. Once your degree has been cleared, your diploma will be ordered. You will receive e-mail notification when it is ready to be picked up, typically about two weeks after you receive your Congratulations e-mail. If you requested that your diploma be mailed on your "Request to Graduate," your diploma will automatically be mailed to you.

5. Degree verification for employment purposes can be obtained through the National Student Clearinghouse at (703) 742-4200. Your degree will also be reflected on your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts can be viewed, and official transcripts can be ordered, on MyCSULB.

What does my “Graduation Status” mean?

Under what circumstances would my degree be denied?

We will not be able to award you a degree if you fail to complete any one of the following:

• Fail to file a Request to Graduate form.

• Fail to meet all degree requirements by your declared graduation term.

• Fail to have all necessary documents on file in Enrollment Services by the appropriate deadline.

• Fail to complete any Incomplete (I) grades by the last day of your graduation semester. (You cannot make up an I grade after graduation.)

What happens if my degree is denied?

You will be notified of the denial by email. Your anticipated graduation date will be automatically moved forward to the next regular term to allow you more time to complete your requirements.

How do I change my major and/or degree objective?

Visit your major advisor. Your advisor will either submit the request on your behalf through the Advisor Request System or will sign a Major Change/Declaration form for you to submit to Enrollment Services.

How do I postpone my graduation semester?

Once you have filed a Request to Graduate form, you may change your graduation date by submitting a Request to Change Graduation Date form.

If you have stopped attending CSULB for one or more academic year(s) and have not taken an Educational Leave, you will need to follow the instructions to reactivate your graduation and reestablish your degree requirements. You may also need to reapply for admission.

Can I complete a minor or certificate along with my Bachelor's degree?

Minor

Yes. A minor is specified at the department level and requires at least 18 units, 9 of which must be upper-division. A minor also requires a 2.00 GPA and 6 units in residence. The award of a minor will be reflected on your transcript but not on your diploma. Your minor can only be awarded at the same time as your Bachelor's degree and not afterwards.

If you plan to pursue a minor, notify your department to receive advisement. Your advisor must submit a request through the Advisor Request System to add your minor, or you must submit a Major Change/Declaration form to Enrollment Services prior to your graduation date to inform us of your intention to pursue a minor. Once a minor is added to your student record, you can track your progress toward the requirements on MyDegree Progress.

Certificate

Yes. CSULB offers 40 academic programs that lead to certificates. These programs normally require 24 to 27 units and emphasize the application of your knowledge. Courses taken to fulfill the Bachelor's degree can also be applied to certificate requirements. The award of a certificate will be reflected on your transcript but not on your diploma; a separate certificate document will be issued. Your certificate can be awarded at the same time as your bachelor's degree, or you may reapply for admission to CSULB as a postbaccalaureate student to earn a certificate.

If you plan to pursue a certificate program, notify your department to receive advisement. Your advisor must submit a request through the Advisor Request System to add your certificate, or you must submit a Major Change/Declaration form to Enrollment Services prior to your graduation date to inform us of your intention to pursue a certificate.

Can I complete two majors simultaneously?

You may complete two major programs simultaneously, but both major programs must be completed by your graduation date. Only one degree will be conferred and only one diploma issued. Your diploma and transcript will note the completion of both major programs.

You must designate on your Request to Graduate form which major is your primary baccalaureate program and this will appear first on your transcript and diploma. If you have already submitted this form, then use the Major Change/Declaration form instead.

A second major is not a second bachelor's degree.

Can I attend classes after I graduate?

After your Bachelor's degree is awarded, you need to reapply for admission as a graduate or post-baccalaureate student in order to continue taking classes. Refer to Graduate Admissions for more information.

I once attended CSULB and then stopped before completing all of my degree requirements. How can I complete my bachelor's degree now?

See your department (major) advisor to discuss any outstanding degree requirements or changes in degree requirements that you may now need to satisfy.  If your advisor does not use the Advisor Request System, you must submit an approved Program Planner in a sealed envelope, along with the Request to Reactivate Graduation form; all items should be submitted to Enrollment Services – BH 101.  Please note: if you have remaining requirements to complete, you will also need to apply for readmission.
Please be aware of the following:

• If you have not been enrolled in the past year and did not take an Educational Leave, you will be required to follow new catalog requirements for your major.
• All upper-division course work required for the major must be completed within a 10-year period preceding the award of the bachelor’s degree.  Consult with your department advisor regarding possible revalidation of courses in question.
• You may have additional General Education requirements to complete, depending on when you last enrolled.  For more information about General Education requirements, please contact the University Center for Undergraduate Advising – Horn Center 103, (562) 985-4837.
• If you were disqualified from the University, you must be reinstated before taking any other action. See Student Academic Records for more information about the reinstatement process.
• You must submit transcripts for all course work taken elsewhere since your last CSULB enrollment.  If you have not enrolled in more than three years, you must also re-submit transcripts from all other colleges and universities attended.
• Observe the filing deadlines above regarding the submittal of your Request to Reactivate Graduation form to Enrollment Services.

• If necessary, also submit the Request to Apply for Graduation After the Published Deadline form along with your receipt for payment of the $10 missed deadline fee.
• If you have outstanding course work to complete, you must determine whether to enroll during a regular semester at CSULB or at another institution.
• If you plan to enroll in regular semester classes at CSULB, you must apply for readmission prior to the appropriate deadline.
• If you plan to enroll at another institution, you must submit a Request for Enrollment At Another Institution form.  Your transcripts for this course work will be due in the Office of Enrollment Services by the filing dates above.