Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

All students must formally apply to graduate to be eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies.

• All bachelor’s degree students must formally apply through the Office of Undergraduate Degree Services in Admissions and Records. Helpful: Apply to Graduate, Bachelor’s  
• All master’s and doctoral students must formally apply to graduate through the Office of Graduate Studies. Helpful: Apply to Graduate, Master’s and Doctorate

Our May 2023 ceremonies will take place in front of the University Library, where graduates will receive their degree conferral and individual name recognition as they cross the stage in front of family and friends. Our commitment to the safety and wellness of our graduates, their guests and the larger CSUN community remains steadfast, and we will be closely monitoring CDC and LACDPH guidelines to ensure we are providing an experience that is celebratory, safe and COVID compliant.  For more information on safety at commencement, click here, or visit the "Resources-Commencement Handbook" webpage and scroll down to the  "Security and Safety Measures" tab. 
 

Please visit the Ceremony Schedule for the most up to date information

Although the commencement office does not directly oversee Cultural Celebrations, we encourage other departments and our campus partners to continue these traditions to the extent they can be conducted in compliance with COVID health and safety guidelines.

For more information regarding cultural celebrations, please connect with the appropriate academic department or organization. As information becomes available to us, we will be happy to share it in the Ceremony Schedules section of this website.

Diploma
While the commencement office oversees specifics as they relate to the commencement ceremonies, it is Admissions & Records who coordinates the distribution/mailing of a graduates diplomas.  

Because of the time required for "end of term" processing (including repeat action, GPA calculation, and academic status) and the volume of degree applicants, the degree awarding process may take 3 to 5 weeks after the end of the term or semester.

After the degree is granted, the diploma will be mailed to the address on record within 4 to 6 weeks. To ensure receipt, confirm and update your address online now: Log into my Northridge and select Home tab > Quick Links box > SOLAR Student Center > Personal Information section. There you can specify a diploma mailing address. Helpful: Update Personal Information

Diploma Cover
Commencement staff will ensure that all eligible graduates can receive their diploma cover during their In-Person Ceremony.  

GradFest has served as a one-stop-shop for all graduation needs including renting caps and gowns, sashes, announcements, class rings, diploma frames, graduation banners & flags and more. We will be hosting GradFest in Mid-March and we will be sharing more information soon. Visit our GradFest webpage for the most up to date information. 

HONORS:
University Honors at Graduation (Undergraduate) is referenced in the University Catalog and states the following:

To receive university honors at graduation, a student must:

1. Complete a minimum of 30 units of work in letter-graded courses at CSUN.
2. Earn a GPA of 3.50 or above in all work taken at CSUN and cumulatively (transfer and CSUN work).

The level of honors is based on the grade point average in all undergraduate courses, including transfer work (cumulative). The level of honors is determined as follows:

• Summa Cum Laude - GPA of 3.90 or above
• Magna Cum Laude - GPA of 3.75 to 3.89
• Cum Laude - GPA of 3.50 to 3.74

For questions about University Honors at Graduation, see Graduation FAQs, visit the Undergraduate Degree Services office, call (818) 677-3781, or email uds@csun.edu.

If University Honors is awarded when the degree is granted, honors will be reflected on your diploma and your CSUN transcript.

DISTINCTION:

Graduating with Distinction is referenced in the University Catalog and states the following:

"A student may receive the Master’s degree with distinction by maintaining a 3.885 or higher GPA on all formal Master’s degree program coursework. The notation “With Distinction’’ is posted with the degree on the transcript, and also will appear on the diploma."
You can also inquire with the office of Research and Graduate Studies (818) 677-2138.

This suggests that students earning a masters degree do not earn "University Honors" as that term and designation are for undergraduate degree recipients.

The notation “With Distinction’’ is posted on the degree and on the transcript for students earning a masters degree possessing a 3.885 or higher GPA on formal Master’s degree program coursework.

NOTE: Dean's List determinations, and/or honor society involvement does not guarantee eligibility for "University Honors" or "Distinction".  Please check the University Catalog for further details. 

Students who have graduated with University Honors or Distinction are eligible to purchase a specific sash and/or honors cords at the CSUN Campus Store.

Since final grades are not tabulated until after the commencement ceremonies have concluded, candidacy for University Honors and Distinction does not guarantee it will be awarded when the degree is conferred. The same in reverse applies for students not designated as a University Honors/Distinction Candidate; University Honors/Distinction will be awarded if criteria are met when the degree is conferred.

Although the commencement office does not directly oversee Hooding Ceremonies, we encourage other departments and our campus partners to explore their options.
For more information regarding Hooding Ceremonies, please connect with the appropriate academic department. As information becomes available to us, we will be happy to share it in the Ceremony Schedules section of this webpage.

Letter requests can be made for International Students or guest who may require a temporary Visa in order to participate or attend the 2023 Commencement Ceremonies. These letters may not guarantee an approval of Visa but are available if a student or guest may need them. 

How to request a letter for a temporary Visa: 

• Contact International Student Exchange Center at (818) 677 - 3053
• Contact Undergraduate Degree Services at (818) 677 - 3781
• Submit a letter request form with Admissions and Records or contact them at (818) 677 -3700

NOTE: These letter request must be submitted in advance to allow for ample time to complete and send out. 

For more information on Security and Safety at commencement please  click here, or visit the "Resources-Commencement Handbook" webpage and scroll down to the  "Security and Safety Measures" tab. 

Our plan is to have all ceremonies at the University Library Lawn unless weather poses a danger.  If the plans change, notice will be emailed to all graduates and posted on the commencement website as soon as a decisions have been made. While this is not expected, please check the local weather forecast and our Commencement website regularly should there be inclement weather patterns occurring.

Rain Prior to the Ceremony

If it is raining seriously BEFORE THE START of the ceremony with little hope of abating, the University President may cancel the ceremony. In the event of a ceremony cancellation, we will notify you via CSUN email. Within that correspondence will have information of how to obtain your diploma cover.

Rain During the Ceremony

If it begins to rain seriously DURING the ceremony, the University President may interrupt the proceedings by stepping to the microphone and conclude early. Information surrounding diploma cover distribution would be delivered at that time.