Graduation Petition Process
Celebrating Graduates!
Congratulations Seahawk!
You're almost done with your requirements and you're ready to graduate. What's Next?
If you believe you're ready to petition to graduate and have completed at least 45 units or more towards a degree (12 units towards a certificate), schedule an appointment with an Academic Counselor to petition to graduate. For some students completing a Certificate, this process is automatic.
At the end of the process you'll be a Cabrillo College Graduate.
You'll receive your diploma from Cabrillo College.
While not required, you'll be able to participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony.
Getting Ready - what to expect, in short:
Start on your own by viewing My Progress in Self Service to check that all your requirements will be done by the end of the term.
You may then need to meet with an Academic Counselor, together you'll complete the Graduation Petition form.
You'll review the requirements of your program and verify that you have met (or will meet) all those requirements.
The Academic Counselor forwards the Graduation Petition to the Admissions & Records Analysts.
Make sure that any official transcripts from external institutions have been submitted for evaluation and recordkeeping.
Admissions and Records holds the Graduation Petition for final grades from in-progress courses to verify that all degree requirements have been met.
Diplomas will be issued and mailed after the certificate(s)|degree(s) has been verified as complete.
Keep reading - all the information, deadlines and specific process details are outlined below.
Petition to Graduate?
No Petition Appointment Needed for:
Certificates of Achievement | Skills Certificates
If all your required courses are completed at Cabrillo
If completed and in-progress courses meet all certificate requirements based on current catalog-year requirements
Cabrillo will automatically award your Certificates of Achievement and Skills Certificates; you will be notified via email. Update your email address with this etrieve form.
Petition Appointment Required for:
ALL AA/AS Degrees
Certificates: if any requirements have been met with courses from other colleges
You are required to meet with an Academic Counselor to petition to graduate. Together you'll review your progress and evaluate your official transcripts from other schools.
What to do During the Term You are Graduating
- First Things FirstOrder official transcripts from other colleges, universities, AP, IB, and CLEP
If you haven't done this already, DO IT NOW. If you've completed any plan requirements at other colleges|universities or through AP|IB|CLEP, you must provide those official transcripts to Cabrillo so that we can verify that those requirements have been met. Submitting documents can be done anytime before you petition - documents must be on file before you petition.
- Beginning of the TermFind the graduation petition deadline for your term
You can graduate during any of the enrollment terms (summer, fall, spring). Review the Dates & Deadlines for your graduating term to see the deadlines to petition to graduate and to participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony.
- 1-3 Weeks Into the TermMeet with an Academic Counselor
Make an appointment with an Academic Counselor and let the staff know that you'd like to Petition to Graduate.
- Before the Graduation Petition DeadlineAttend Your Academic Counseling Appointment
During your appointment, you'll work together to review all your completed coursework from Cabrillo, integrate completed non-Cabrillo courses and verify that everything will be completed by the end of term.
- Before the End of the TermUpdate All your Information
Avoid delays, update your information. Cabrillo will use all the information listed in your record to:
populate your name on your diploma
send you an email notification of any certificates that will be auto-awarded
mail a complimentary hard copy diploma to the address on file (for additional ordering options, see here)
View and update all your information with this etrieve form.
- After Degree(s)/Certificate(s) are PostedOrder Your Official Cabrillo College Transcript
You will be sent a conferral email congratulating you on the awarding of your degree(s)/certificate(s)
Ensure that all of your grades are posted before you order your official transcript
Transcripts will be ready and available before diplomas are mailed
For students who have not previously ordered official transcripts, the first two transcripts are free of charge
What's the difference between Graduation and Commencement?
Graduation
Graduation is the official awarding of a degree or certificate to a student's record after final grades are posted and all degree requirements have been verified as met. Certificates of Achievement and AA|AS Degrees will be listed on your official Cabrillo transcript. You will receive an official diploma displaying all your earned certificates|degrees. You are not required to participate in the commencement ceremony to graduate and receive your diploma. Note: if you have attended other colleges, you must provide official transcripts and schedule an appointment with a Cabrillo Academic Counselor to confirm how your courses will be applied to your degree goal.
Commencement
Commencement is the ceremony held in May of each year to celebrate student accomplishment. We'll recognize degrees and certificates earned and transfer goals. It's a time for you to be with your friends and family to honor all your hard work. While not required, all eligible students are encouraged to participate in the ceremony. You name and all your degrees|certificates|transfer goals will be announced during the ceremony. Note: diplomas are not awarded during the ceremony and participation does not indicate the official completion of your degree(s) or certificate(s).
The Graduation Petition Process
Everything You Need to Know
Cabrillo College will automatically award Skills Certificates and Certificates of Achievements if all required courses are completed at Cabrillo, and if completed and in-progress courses meet all certificate requirements.
Here's how you can check:
Log into Self Service
Select Student Planning
Select My Progress/Program Evaluation. This populates your record that shows how completed, in-progress, and planned Cabrillo courses meet program requirements.
Using View a New Program (or your active program if it is accurate), you can verify completion of requirements for all certificate and degree programs.
Toggle the "Alternate Catalog Year" to the current year.
You DO NOT need to petition if the My Progress report shows that all requirements have been, or will be met upon completion of in-progress courses. Cabrillo will notify you via email if your Skills Certificate or Certificate of Achievement will be automatically awarded at the end of the term. Not Sure? Email Us.
You do need to petition if any requirements are shown as not completed or in-progress, and you've met those requirements with courses from another college. You are required to meet with an Academic Counselor to evaluate your transcripts, confirm your progress and to petition to graduate. Official transcripts required.