Graduation

General Graduation Requirements

Students planning on graduating should meet with an advisor the semester before they plan to graduate to make sure they have met all graduation requirements.

  • Complete all requirements for your degree or certificate.
  • A minimum of 25 percent of degree required courses must be earned at Del Mar College.
  • Students may transfer hours from another accredited institution to Del Mar College in order to graduate from Del Mar College as long as all graduation requirements have been met as evaluated by the program department.
  • A student with an Associate or higher degree seeking an Associate Degree at Del Mar College must: (a) complete 25 percent of semester hours at Del Mar College beyond the original degree and (b) meet all of the specified requirements for the second degree as outlined in the catalog in effect upon the student’s entry into Del Mar College, provided the length of attendance at this institution does not exceed five years.
  • Complete an Application for Graduation in the Registrar’s Office on or before the graduation application deadline.
  • Meet all of the degree and/or certificate requirements as specified under your designated catalog.
  • Your student records must be clear of “holds.”
  • Return all properties of the College, including library books.
  • Pay, or make satisfactory arrangements, to pay all financial obligations to the College.
  • If you do not initially meet the graduation requirements, you must reapply for any subsequent graduations.

Graduation through Reverse Transfer

Reverse transfer provides an avenue for obtaining an associate degree after transferring to a university. Reverse transfer establishes policies and procedures for credits earned at universities to be transferred to Del Mar College and applied toward an associate degree.

Reverse transfer students must apply for graduation using the graduation application found on the Registrar’s Office Web site, www.delmar.edu/registrar. Students must provide official copies of transcripts prior to the end of their graduation term. Standard catalog designation policy applies for reverse transfer students.

Catalog Designation for Graduation

The Catalog that is in effect upon your entry or reentry into Del Mar College determines the degree and/or certificate requirements that you must meet for graduation. It is your responsibility to know and satisfy all of the requirements in your designated catalog. Catalog designations are made according to the following guidelines:

  • If you are entering Del Mar College for the first time, you are assigned to the Catalog that is in effect at the semester of entry. You must follow the degree requirements as specified in that Catalog, as long as the length of time of your attendance does not exceed five years.
  • If your attendance at Del Mar College exceeds five years, you forfeit the initial Catalog designation. You must then meet the degree and/or certificate requirements specified in the Catalog in effect in the sixth or subsequent year of enrollment.
  • If you are absent for two or more regular (fall or spring) semesters, you must meet the degree and/or certificate requirements of the Catalog in effect at the time of re-entry.

Application for Graduation

You are required to apply for graduation at the Registrar’s Office on the East or West Campus by the deadline for the semester in which you intend to graduate. The deadlines are as follows:

May graduation deadline for application is February 28 or the following Monday if the deadline falls on a weekend.

August graduation deadline for application is June 30 or the following Monday if the deadline falls on a weekend.

December graduation deadline for application is October 15 or the following Monday if the deadline falls on a weekend.

Regalia

Graduates must wear the designated Del Mar College academic regalia. You need to purchase regalia for graduation. Information on how to purchase regalia will be provided to you at the time of application for graduation.

Diplomas

Diplomas are mailed to you approximately eight weeks after the semester ends. The only honors posted on diplomas may be: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Alpha Pi and Alpha Beta Gamma.

Commencement

Graduation is held three times per year: May, August and December. If you are currently enrolled in your last semester of classes, you may apply for graduation and participate in the commencement ceremonies. Participation in the ceremonies and/or inclusion in the commencement program does not constitute evidence of completion of program or honors requirements. Only after verification of completion of all graduation requirements will a student be awarded a certificate or degree.