You are here:  Academics > Graduation

APPLY NOW!


Plan to have all degree requirements completed by August 31, 2010? Then apply now for the 2009-2010 graduation cycle! Check your degree guide to account for all outstanding courses before applying!
 

 **Applications were due on February 1 but you may still apply with a $50 late fee**
 
You must apply for graduation even if you do not plan on walking in a ceremony
 
Congratulations ALL December graduates. Diplomas will be available in March for pick-up!!


Submitting the Application

  • Students should review their InsideCBU degree guide on a regular basis to evaluate progress toward graduation.
  • Students should submit an application for graduation if they will complete all degree requirements by August 31, 2010. 
  • Graduation Applications must be submitted by the application deadline or the student will be assessed a Late Graduation Application fee due at the time of application.
  • Applications received after the degree posting date will be required to apply for the next eligible degree date.
  • A candidacy letter and official graduation evaluation will be sent to your LancerMail account within two weeks of your application being received. During high peak periods, please allow an additional 1-2 weeks for processing.

Graduation Honors

Honors are awarded according to the following cumulative grade point average: 
         3.50 - 3.69: Cum Laude

         3.70 - 3.89: Magna Cum Laude

         3.90 - 4.00: Summa Cum Laude
 
Honors announced at the graduation ceremony represent the cumulative grade point average at the completion of the spring semester. Degrees and honors awarded in the ceremony are conditional upon completion of all course requirements in accordance with university policies. Postbaccalaureate students (Graduate and Second Major only) are not eligible for graduation honors. (University Catalog)

Degree Posting Dates

For the 2009-2010 graduation cycle, degrees will be posted on:
December 31, 2009
April 30, 2010
August 31, 2010
  • All degree requirements must be met prior to the posting date.
  • Degrees completed between posting dates will be posted at the next scheduled date.
  • Once the degree is posted, no changes will be made to the transcript. (University Catalog)


You will receive a graduation evaluation and a candidacy letter sent to your LancerMail Account or the email address listed on your application if you are not a current CBU student.
 
If you have questions about your evaluation or if you were denied candidacy, please contact the transcript and records analyst who completed the evaluation. Their number and email address can be found at the bottom of your graduation evaluation and on your candidacy letter.
 
Failure to complete degree requirements by the designated posting date may require re-application and an additional fee will be assessed. (University Catalog)
 
 


Graduation Ceremony

Closer to the graduation date, you will receive a graduation packet from Student Services. This packet contains the necessary information for the graduation ceremony and the exit process. Information about the commencement ceremony and a downloadable graduation packet can be found online at http://www.calbaptist.edu/commencement.

 

Ceremony Dates:

Friday December 18, 2009

For December and April candidates, the ceremony will be held at Harvest Christian Fellowship. There will be two ceremonies at 10am and 2pm. You will walk with your school or college and your ceremony time will be determined by Student Services. Please contact their office for additional information about the ceremony.

 

Friday April 30, 2010

For graduate April and August candidates, the ceremony will be held on the front lawn at 7pm.

 

Saturday May 1, 2010

For undergraduate April and August candidates, the ceremony will be held on the front lawn at 9am.


Applications

If application is submitted electronically and successfully received, you will receive a confirmation email within 2 business days. Please resubmit if email confirmation is not received.

2009-2010 Graduation Application (.pdf, 1169K)
Deferrals
2009-2010 Deferral Form (.pdf, 770K)
Graduation Check List

ü
Complete at least 124 semester units of credit, at least 39 of which must be upper division (300 level and 400 level courses)

ü Complete at least 36 units in residence at CBU, at least 30 of which must be upper division (300 level and 400 level course)
 
ü Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 overall with no grade below C- in the major field of study

ü Complete all general education requirements

ü Complete all coursework in a major as selected from the University Catalog
 
ü Complete all coursework for minor or concentration, if applicable

ü Complete a graduation application for planned graduation date

ü Satisfy all financial obligations

ü
Be in good academic standing (not suspended or academically disqualified) at the time of completion

General Education
The General Education curriculum consists of 45-62 units of coursework designed to provide the student with a strong and diverse academic preparation for a major and professional experiences. In addition to specific course requirements, students must complete nine (9) units designated as Interdisciplinary (I) coursework, and nine (9) units designated as Multicultural (M) coursework and in the core curriculum twelve (12) units designated as 300 and 400 level coursework. Courses which meet the Multicultural and Interdisciplinary requirements will be denoted in the course descriptions in this publication. (University Catalog)
 
Majors and Minors
Though a minimum of 39 upper-division units are required for graduation, some majors require less than 39 upper-division units. The additional upper-division units may be taken in the student’s major field or in other academic areas.A student may qualify for a minor by using these additional units to meet the requirements for a minor in the field of choice. Coursework for credit toward a major,minor, or emphasis must be passed with a minimum grade of C- and an overall average in the major or minor of 2.0 or higher. Certain disciplines may require a minimum grade of C (2.0) in the lower-division prerequisites also.     (University Catalog)

Electives
A number of electives may be taken from the regular university courses offered in each department. Students should plan carefully and complete their required work first. Failure to do this may cause students to take more than 124 semester units in order to graduate. (University Catalog)

Work in Residence
Students are required to complete 36 units in residence at California Baptist University. Of the 39 upper-division units required for graduation, at least 30 upper-division units must be taken in residence. (University Catalog)

Upper Division
Upper division requirements for graduation can only be fulfilled with courses at the 300 and 400 (Junior and Senior) level. Of the 39 upper-division units required for graduation, at least 30 upper-division units must be taken in residence. Lower division units cannot be used to fulfill upper division unit requirements. Upper division requirements that are varianced must be replaced by upper division electives. Students seeking substitutions and exemptions must submit an Academic Variance Form to the Office of the Registrar for approval. (University Catalog)

Q: When should I apply for graduation?
A: The sooner the better! You will want to apply for the graduation cycle during which you will have all requirements complete. We begin accepting applications for the following graduation cycle beginning in March and we accept the applications right on up to the posting date.
 
Q: I'm not participating in the ceremony, do I still need to apply?
A: YES! You are applying to post your degree. In order to pick up your diploma you must apply for graduation!
 
Q: I want to walk in the May ceremony and post my degree in December. Can I do this?
A: Yes. You will apply for the December 2009 posting date and the May ceremony. You must submit your application before the December 2009 deadline to avoid a late fee. If you are posting your degree in August, you must walk in the May ceremony.
 
Q: I've already walked in a ceremony, but I didn't post my degree. Do I need to reapply if I'm not walking in another ceremony?
A: Yes, the application is for posting your degree.
 
Q: My application has been denied. What do I do?
A: Your application was denied because there were too many outstanding requirements that were unaccounted for. Please send an email to your Transcript and Records Analyst who completed your evaluation and explain how every outstanding requirement will be completed by your intended posting date. Our office will then re-evaluate your file for graduation.
 
Q: If I finish my degree mid-semester, when will my degree post?
A: CBU has three posting dates during a graduation cycle and degrees are only posted on those dates. As long as you have applied for graduation, your degree will post on the next posting date following the completion of your coursework.
 
Q: I have 6.0 units outstanding after the spring semester. Can I still walk in the May ceremony?
A: There is no minimum outstanding unit requirement to participate in the ceremony. You just need to show our office that you will be completing all outstanding degree requirements by the final posting date of the graduation cycle.
 
Q: When will my graduation fee be billed to my Student Account?
A: Your fee will be billed after the application deadline.
 
Q: I do not plan on walking in a ceremony. Will the $175 graduation fee still be billed to my Student Account?
A: Yes. The fee is the same for every student regardless of whether or not he/she decides to walk in a ceremony.
 
Q: I am filling out my graduation application and it asks for my outstanding coursework. What should I put there?
A: Please list any courses that you are not currently enrolled in at CBU that you need to take to finish up your degree requirements. This includes any courses to be transferred from another institution.
 
Q: Can I fax my graduation application to the Office of the Registrar?
A: Yes, you can fax your graduation application. Please make sure that you sign your application before faxing.
 
Q: Do I have to put my full legal name on my diploma?
No. You can choose to include your middle name or maiden name.
 
Q: When will my diploma be available?
A: For December and August graduates, diplomas are available approximately 2-3 months after the posting date. For May graduates, diplomas are available after the ceremony for pick up.
 
Q: Am I able to order a second diploma?
A: A reorder of a diploma can only be made if you have lost the original. If you would like a second copy made with a new last name then the original must be surrendered to our office.
 
Q: I'm taking courses at another insitution. When do my official transcripts need to be received by CBU?
A: Transcripts need to received in the Enrollment Services Office by the 4th Friday after the posting date.
 
Q: What are the honors societies listed on the graduation application?
A: Alpha Chi is reserved for the top academic students in each graduating class. Please contact the Provost Office for more information. KME or Kappa Mu Epsilon is reserved for the top students in mathematics. Please contact the Department of Natural and Mathematical Sciences for additional information. For the University Honors Program please contact the College of Arts and Sciences or email honors@calbaptist.edu.