Graduation

Commencement Events

Azusa Pacific University hosts two commencement weekends, one in May and one in December. View the Academic Calendar for specific dates. Commencement ceremony details are provided as they become available at apu.edu/commencement/.

Graduation Application

Graduation is not automatic upon completion of all coursework in a degree program. Students who intend to graduate must complete the Graduation Application at least 90 days prior to degree posting, along with the current graduation fee. The graduation dates are listed in the Academic Calendar, as well as Graduation Application deadlines. A degree is granted based on the completion of all requirements prior to degree posting dates.

Commencement Information

Graduates must be cleared by the Student Services Center to participate in the commencement ceremony. Receipt of cap and gown regalia does not guarantee clearance to participate in commencement.

Tickets are required for all guests to attend commencement. An allotted number of tickets will be distributed to cleared graduating students. The allotted number of tickets will be determined by the number of graduates; therefore, it is subject to change for each ceremony. Additional tickets are not available and cannot be purchased.

In the event of inclement weather, a scheduled outdoor event will be moved to the Felix Event Center. Rain tickets that have been distributed to students, faculty, and administration will be required. Commencement ceremonies are approximately two hours in length.

For more information about APU commencement, visit apu.edu/commencement/.

Gold Cords/Honors

The academic standard to which graduate students are held is higher than for baccalaureate students. Failure to maintain a 3.0 is grounds for dismissal from the program (including ELM-BSN students). For these reasons, most universities reserve traditional awarding of summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude for baccalaureate students only. That is APU’s practice, as well.

Qualifying professional bachelor’s students may graduate with honors. The minimum GPA requirements for Latin honors are as follows:

3.90 – summa cum laude
3.80 – magna cum laude
3.70 – cum laude

Students must check with their academic department for information about honor societies, as all information is handled by the schools. The university does not note these affiliations in the commencement program; however, the honor societies usually award the member with a cord or other insignia, which students may wear at commencement. Questions should be referred to the relevant department.

Contact a program advisor for information about department honors or membership in various honor societies.

Degree Posting Questions

What is a posted degree?

“Posted degree” means that all degree requirements have been met and the degree has been recorded on your official academic record.

When are degrees posted?

Professional undergraduate degrees will reflect a posting date of the 1st or the 15th of each month. All degree requirements must be met prior to the posting date.

The university posts graduate degrees to students’ permanent records four times yearly 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 term (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Please see the Academic Calendar for regular terms and sessions for graduate students, along with degree conferral dates.

All doctoral degrees will reflect a posting date of the 1st or the 15th of each month pending completion of all degree requirements (dissertation defense, presentation, binding, conference attendance, internship completion, etc).

For degrees completed on dates other than these, the posting will occur on the next scheduled degree posting date. Degrees will be posted approximately 6-8 weeks after all degree requirements are met and all grades are entered. Diplomas arrive approximately 8-12 weeks from the date of degree posting for cleared students.

Once the degree is posted, the degree record is complete and final. It can be rescinded only in the case of substantiated error or fraud. A student may not add or remove coursework to the posted degree to improve grade-point average or to add concentrations or emphases or request a degree title change

How do I get a copy of my degree being posted?

Transcripts of Azusa Pacific University coursework are available approximately six weeks after all degree requirements are met and all grades are entered. Contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020 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.

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