Graduation Vs. Commencement
Graduating from the university and participating in Commencement are two separate processes.
Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements and awarding of your degree.
Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the achievement of students who have graduated or will soon graduate during the academic year.
Graduation Vs. Commencement Accordion
Graduation
To officially graduate and receive a degree from CSUF, students must satisfy all university, college and departmental requirements for a specific bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.
There are three graduation terms each year: fall, spring and summer.
Undergraduate Degrees – The Office of the Registrar awards undergraduate degrees through the graduation check process. The office evaluates undergraduate academic records, including graduating with honors, for the purpose of awarding degrees.
Graduate Degrees – The Office of Graduate Studies awards graduate (master's and doctoral) degrees through the graduation check process. The office evaluates graduate graduation applications.
Diplomas are mailed to the students by the Office of the Registrar 10 to 12 weeks after their final grades have been verified on their graduation term.
Undergraduate students should contact the registrar’s evaluation unit with questions regarding completion of degree requirements, degree conferral and diplomas.
For more information on how to apply to graduate, please visit the Office of the Registrar’s Apply for Graduation webpage.
Graduate students should contact the Office of Graduate Studies with questions regarding completion of degree requirements, degree conferral and diplomas. For more information on how to apply to graduate, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies’ Graduation Information webpage.
Commencement
Cal State Fullerton Commencement exercises take place each year at the end of the spring semester. Students graduating at the end of the fall 2025, spring 2026 and summer 2026 semesters are eligible to participate in Commencement 2026. Commencement only takes place at the end of May.
Students must have filed their graduation check (undergraduate and graduate) and have “Candidate” status in their Titan student center in order to participate.
- If you graduated in fall 2025 (January 2026) or become a candidate for graduation for spring (May 2026) or summer (August 2026), you are eligible to participate in the spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies.
- If you graduate in fall 2026 (January 2027) or become a candidate for graduation for spring (May 2027) or summer (August 2027), you are NOT eligible to participate in the spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies.
Participating in Commencement is optional and not mandatory. If a student chooses not to participate, it does not affect their eligibility to graduate from the university. In addition, participation in Commencement does not automatically mean that the student has graduated.
Commencement is a separate process from graduating. When a student confirms participation (via the student portal in Marching Order) in Commencement, Cal State Fullerton will reserve a seat for the student at the ceremony and provide eight (8) guest tickets.
University Events manages Commencement. The office produces, facilitates and coordinates the Commencement ceremonies.