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Graduation Evaluation

Where and When to Seek Advisement

Undergraduate Students

Faculty members in the academic departments usually serve as academic advisors for students with declared majors. Faculty advisors are available throughout the academic year and students are urged to meet with an advisor at least once each semester in addition to the three required advising sessions as follows:

  1. Upon entering the University.
  2. At the beginning of the junior year (60 semester units).
  3. At the beginning of the senior year (90 semester units).

In addition to the above required advising sessions, many departments or programs require additional advising sessions. This includes students in the Undeclared major, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and students admitted as Exceptions (Special Admits).

Graduate Students

University policy provides that each student's program for the master's degree shall be under the guidance of an advisor and the program faculty. All master's degree programs have a Graduate Coordinator designated to give overall supervision for the graduate program. In many instances, the Program Coordinator also serves as the student's advisor. The program faculty are responsible for all major recommendations to the Dean of Graduate Studies regarding the student's achievement of classified standing, advancement to candidacy, and completion of the master's degree.

It is the responsibility of the student to arrange appointments for advisement and other information in the office of the academic unit offering the degree program. At a minimum, the student should obtain advisement at the following critical times in their academic program:

  1. Prior to or during the first semester;
  2. At the time of achieving Classified Standing;
  3. At the time of Advancement to Candidacy.

It is the student's responsibility to follow the procedures as outlined in the catalog to ensure timely progress toward the degree and to ensure compliance in all policies and regulations pertaining to the granting of the master's degree.

Requisite Paperwork (Supporting Documentation required for Degree Check)

Bachelor's Degrees

Each advisor will prepare a counseling/program of study guide called an Advisement Form. Each student is required to submit an Advisement Form for each field of study. If a student has a single field major and does not have a second major or minor, then an Advisement Form is needed for the Major only. Students are encouraged to seek General Education advising before applying.

If a student has a major and a second major or minor, then an Advisement Form is needed for both the Major and the second major or minor.

All supporting documents, along with the Application for Graduation must be filed by the published deadline dates in order to receive a Degree Check prior to the last day to add classes for the term of intended graduation (also refer to "applying for graduation").

Master's Degrees

A copy of the student's program for the master's degree must be sent by the academic department to the Office of Admissions and Records (Graduation Unit) so that a master's Degree Check may be prepared. Failure to do so will result in a delay in receiving a Degree Check.

Degree Check

The Degree Checks are mailed to the address of record in the Office of Admissions and Records of California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Graduation Applications and Advisement Forms Filed Before or By the Deadline

The Degree Checks (Graduation Evaluations) for students who submit the Application for Graduation and the Advisement Forms by the published deadlines are reviewed in date received/filed order. The timely filing of the Application for Graduation and Advisement Forms will insure the degree checks will be processed prior to the last day to add classes for the term of anticipated graduation.

Graduation Applications and/or Advisement Forms Filed After the Deadline

Requests to file an Application for Graduation after the deadline requires an additional $15.00 fee and must be submitted with the application and $35.00 graduation processing/diploma fee to be processed.

If you apply and/or submit any required Advisement Form after the deadline, we cannot guarantee when you will receive your Degree Check. You may not receive your Degree Check prior to the last day to add classes for the term of anticipated graduation. If you have questions regarding remaining graduation requirements, you must consult with your advisor.

Bachelor's Degree Candidates

Please use the catalog under which you were admitted for all requirements.

An updated list of approved courses satisfying all components of the program is printed in the Class Schedule and in the University Catalog. First–time freshmen must meet the requirements of the General Studies program. Transfer students who have remained in continuous attendance at a campus of the CSU or the California Community Colleges since 1980–81 have the option of choosing this program or the General Education Program described in catalogs prior to 1980-81.

Certification of Lower Division General Education/Studies Requirements

Accredited postsecondary colleges and universities offering the B.A. or B.S., or the first two years of such degree programs, may certify partial completion of the lower division General Studies requirements according to procedures specified in CSU Executive Order 342. CSU Dominguez Hills will accept a maximum of 40 semester or 60 quarter units toward our General Studies program. An additional nine semester units of upper division General Studies courses must be completed at CSU Dominguez Hills. (See "General Studies" section of the catalog.)

Graduate Degree Candidates

Please use the catalog under which you were admitted for all requirements.

Requirements for the Minor

Please use the catalog under which you were admitted for all requirements.

Students who select a major in one of the Single Fields Majors are not required to complete a minor toward completion of the degree.

Minimum Unit Requirements

Bachelor's Degrees

  • A minimum of 120 semester units is required for the bachelor's degree. Students earning a B.S. degree may be required to take up to 132 semester units. A maximum of 24 semester units earned through extension, correspondence and the United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) may be accepted toward a bachelor's degree.
  • A minimum of 40 semester units of upper division credit must be completed.
  • A minimum of 30 semester units must be completed in residence at CSUDH.
  • At least 24 of the 30 units must be upper division.
  • At least 12 of the 24 upper-division units must be in your major, and for a declared minor, at least half of all upper division units must be completed at CSUDH;
  • At least 9 units of General Studies must be completed at CSUDH;

Graduate Degrees

  • A minimum of 30 approved semester units, or more, as required by the particular program.
  • A minimum of 21 semester units in residence after admission to the program offering the degree.
  • Only upper division and graduate level courses can be used.
  • Not less than one-half of the total units in graduate (500 level) courses.
  • Not more than nine semester units of 500 level courses taken prior to admission to conditionally classified or classified status.
  • Not more that six units for a thesis or project.
  • Not more than six units for independent study.