Saddleback College may automatically award degrees for some eligible students. However, automatic awarding is not guaranteed in all situations, particularly when coursework from other colleges is involved. To ensure your degree or certificate is evaluated, awarded, and posted in a timely manner, students are strongly encouraged to submit a Petition for Degree or Certificate in MySite during their final semester.
Students are also encouraged to meet with a counselor to review their progress, confirm catalog rights and graduation requirements, verify any remaining requirements, and ensure their intended degree, certificate, and/or transfer pattern is accurately reflected in their student record.
Important Information
- Students are encouraged to submit a graduation application during their final semester rather than relying on automatic degree awarding.
- Degree, certificate, and transfer pattern programs must be declared and active on your student record before they will appear as options on the Graduation Application.
- Applications are evaluated for the term selected on the application. Students who do not complete all requirements for that term must submit a new application for a future term.
- All official transcripts from prior colleges must be on file with Admissions and Records before you apply.
Refer to the College Catalog for complete graduation requirements.
Petition Deadlines
Submit your petition by the deadline below to receive a graduation date for that semester.
| Semester | Filing/Submittal Deadline; |
|---|---|
| Spring | March 15 |
| Summer | July 1 |
| Fall | November 1 |
NOTE: Petitions submitted after the deadline will be processed with the following semester, and the graduation date posted to your transcript will reflect that later term.
Commencement Program and Honors
The March 15 deadline ensures:
- Your name is included in the commencement program.
- Honors are calculated in time for the ceremony.
Students who submit a Petition for Degree or Certificate after March 15 may still participate in the commencement ceremony; however:
- Their name will not appear in the printed program.
- Honors will not be reflected in the program or recognized at the ceremony.
- Their record will be evaluated in late summer or early fall.
- An August graduation date will be posted to the transcript.
Occupational Skills Awards
Students applying for an Occupational Skills Award:
- The award is not posted to the transcript.
Petition (Apply) for a Degree, Certificate, or Occupational Skills Award
Commencement/Graduation Ceremony Information