Graduation
Selection of Catalog for Determining Degree Requirements
A graduate student remaining in attendance in regular session at Azusa Pacific University may, for the purpose of meeting graduation requirements, elect to meet the requirements in effect at Azusa Pacific University either at the time the student began such attendance or at graduation. Substitutions for discontinued courses may be authorized or required by the major department or appropriate school. To view or download catalogs from recent years, please go to www.apu.edu/academics/catalog/.
Application for Graduation
Graduation is not automatic upon completion of all course work in a degree program. Students who intend to graduate must complete an Intent to Graduate form and file it with the Office of the Graduate Registrar in the Graduate Center at least 90 days prior to degree posting, along with the current graduation fee. The graduation dates are listed in the Class Schedule and Academic Calendar.
A degree is granted based on the completion of all requirements prior to degree posting dates.
Commencement
Commencement exercises are held three times a year – at the end of the fall semester, at the end of the spring semester, and at the end of the summer term. The president of the university, by the authority of the trustees and on recommendation of the faculty, awards the degrees. Details regarding the exercises are mailed approximately four to six weeks prior to commencement to prospective participants who have submitted an Intent to Graduate form. In order to participate in graduation exercises, all academic requirements must be complete or in process, and all financial obligations to the university must be met.
Degree Posting
The doctoral degree is posted after the student has met all degree requirements, including documentation of completion of the Predoctoral Internship. Degree posting dates conform to those published in the graduate catalog.
Degree Posting Dates
The university posts graduate degrees to students' permanent records four times each year according to a predetermined schedule. All degree requirements must be met prior to the posting date. The posting dates for graduate students are at the end of each regular semester (fall, spring, and summer, and at the end of Fall II). The regular semesters and terms for graduate students (with approximate posting dates shown in parenthesis) are: Fall semester (December 15), Fall I term (December 15), Fall II term (January 31), Spring semester (May 1), Spring I term (May 1), Spring II term (July 30), Summer semester (July 30), Summer I term (July 30), Summer II term (July 30), and Summer III term (July 30). For degrees completed on dates other than these, the posting will occur on the next posting date. Exception to this policy may be granted upon petition, to the graduate registrar.
Release of Transcripts
Transcripts of Azusa Pacific University course work are available approximately six weeks after the completion of courses. Requests must be made in writing and should include the following information: student's name, location of classes taken, the last semester attended, where the transcript is to be sent, number of copies required, date of graduation (if applicable), Social Security number, Student ID, and signature. An Azusa Pacific University Transcript Request form is available for the students' convenience. A $5-per-copy fee applies. Requests take approximately 7-10 working days to process. Rush transcripts are available for an additional $20 charge. Contact the Graduate Center (within two working days) at (626) 815-4570 for specific information. Transcripts, diplomas, and/or verifications of degrees will not be released until all the student's financial obligations to the university are met.
