Frequently Asked Questions

General Commencement Questions:

• How do I know if I am eligible to participate in commencement?

  • You are eligible to participate in the Fall 2021 commencement ceremonies if you graduated in 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 or have submitted a graduation application to the Registrar's or GAPE office for Fall 2021.

    Questions about applying to graduate? Please see the Registrar's website for details. If you are a graduate student, please contact the GAPE office. For credential students, contact the Credential Office.

• What is the difference between graduation and commencement?

  • Commencement is the ceremony to honor students whose degrees have been awarded, or will be awarded in the current season*.

    * The spring ceremony is for the current spring and upcoming summer graduates. The fall ceremony is for the preceding summer and current fall graduates.

    Graduation is the completion of degree requirements. Students’ transcripts will include their degree and major after the Registrar’s Office awards their degree.

• Where can I purchase graduation gear?

  • Graduation gear is available on the Herff Jones website.

• What are Latin Honors?

  • To qualify for Latin Honors, both your SJSU Cumulative GPA and your All College GPA must meet the minimum requirements.  Honors will be noted on both your diploma and transcript. Students who receive Latin honors will be sent a medallion after final grades have been posted. Graduate students are not eligible for honors. Questions about Latin Honors may be directed to the Registrar's Office.

    College specific honors are determined by the College’s Dean’s office. Please contact the College Dean’s office directly for more information.

• How do I verify or change the name that will be in the printed commencement book?

  • Graduating student names are provided by the Registrar or GAPE offices. Please contact them directly to verify your name. For Spring, changes made after April 1 may not be reflected in the printed book. For Fall, changes made after November 1 may not be reflected in the printed book.

    If you do not wish to have your name appear in the commencement book, please contact the Registrar or GAPE offices.

• How do I verify or change the name that will be on my diploma?

  • Please see this page. If you have any further questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office

• When will I receive my diploma?
  • • Undergraduate, please view the diploma mailing schedule here. If you have any further questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office 
      
    • Graduate students, please contact GAPE Office directly. 
• Can I submit or change my information multiple times in MarchingOrder?

  • Yes, you can log into and submit content multiple times in MarchingOrder (up until the final content deadline).

Undergraduate Students:

• How do I apply to graduate as an Undergraduate Student?

  • Please go to Application Central on the Registrar's website for detailed information.

• I am an undergraduate student and have applied for graduation- what's next?

  • Please see how to track status, review process & tips.

• I have more specific questions about graduation as an Undergraduate Student.
  •  Please visit the FAQ page on the Registrar's website.

Graduate Students:

• How do I apply to graduate as a Graduate Student?

  • View the steps for completing your graduate degree with the GAPE office. You can also view the candidacy and graduation deadlines. We highly recommend attending Graduation Workshops hosted by GAPE throughout the semester. Please click here to view the schedule of Graduation Workshops.

• I have more specific questions about graduation as a Graduate Student.

  • Please visit the Graduate Student Guide on the GAPE Website.

Credential Students:

• How do I indicate that I am interested in participating in Commencement as a credential student?

  • You will receive an email from your department with a link to indicate your intent to participate in Commencement.

Doctoral Students:

• How do I apply to graduate as a doctoral student?

  • View the steps for completing your graduate degree with the GAPE office. You can also view the candidacy and graduation deadlines. We highly recommend attending Graduation Workshops hosted by GAPE throughout the semester. Please click here to view the schedule of Graduation Workshops.

Graduate Recognition Websites (Fall 2021 graduating students only):

• How do I verify or change the way that my name is displayed on my recognition slide?

  • Students can verify the personal information that will be displayed on their recognition slide by logging into the MarchingOrder portal. To request a change after the deadline, please email commencement@sjsu.edu with your student ID number and preferred name.

• How do I verify or change the way that my name is pronounced for my recognition slide?

  • Students can submit their name pronunciation/phonetic information by logging into the MarchingOrder portal. Name pronunciation/phonetic information must be submitted no later than one (1) month before the end of the semester.

Post Commencement/Post Graduation:

• How do I join the Alumni Association?

  • You can join the Alumni Association online or by phone at 408-924-6515.

• I joined the Alumni Association at the Spartan Bookstore during Grad Fest. When will I receive my membership card?

  • You will receive your membership packet, including membership card, by the end of June (for spring graduates) or end of January (for fall graduates).

• How do I request a transcript?

  • The transcripts page on the Office of the Registrar's website provides information on requesting an official transcript. Visit the Office of the Registrar site for more information.

• Where can I buy SJSU Alumni logo merchandise?
  • Visit the Spartan Bookstore for exclusive SJSU Alumni merchandise. Don't forget Alumni Association members get a 10% discount. A coupon code will be listed on your membership card. Use this code during your online checkout to obtain your discount. When inside the store, please present your card to the cashier.
• Does my Alumni Association membership give me access to the Career Center?
  • Visit the Career Resources page for more information.
• How do I receive a duplicate copy of my diploma?
  • Please see this page.

If you have further questions, please reach out to the Commencement office using the contact information below.