Graduation
Commencement vs. Graduation
Commencement is the ceremony to celebrate students who successfully completed all degree requirements. Cypress College’s annual commencement is scheduled at the end of each spring semester.
Visit our Commencement Central webpage.
Graduation is the act of receiving a diploma or degree from a school, college, or university. Cypress College confers degree and certificates to students who have officially and successfully completed all degree requirements, including an application to graduate.
Graduation
Students planning to earn degrees/certificates should file an application to graduate during the semester in which they will complete their requirements.
- Please carefully review the college catalog for complete information on degree and educational options.
- Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to help identify educational objectives and develop an educational plan.
- Visit the Transfer Center for detailed information on all degrees/certificates, CSU Checksheets, IGETC Checksheets and General Education Plans.
Deadlines for Degrees & Certificates
The applications for degrees and certificates will be available to students from April 28, 2025 to June 12, 2025.
Monday, April 28, 2025:
- First day to apply for summer 2025 Graduation
- First day to apply for summer 2025 Certificate of Achievement
Friday, September 5, 2025:
- Other College Transcripts for in-progress classes due
Thursday June 12, 2025:
- Deadline to apply for Degree/Certificates
Submitting Your Completed Application
Applications for degrees and certificates must be submitted online via the following electronic forms:
| AA/AS Degrees, Associates for Transfer (ADT), University for Transfer (UCT) | Apply for AA/AS, ADT, UCT |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Apply for Bachelor’s Degree |
| Certificate of Achievement | Apply for Certificate of Achievement |
| CSU GE Breadth and IGETC Application (No deadline; this application is not required if you have already applied for an ADT or UCT.) | Apply for CSU GE, IGETC |
| Petition for Exception – Degree/Certificate Deadlines. Available Monday, February 24, 2025 through Friday, March 21, 2025 at 5 p.m. | Petition for Exception |
Please note that students must use their myGateway credentials to access the forms above.