Grades are assigned by the faculty member and submitted to the Records Office a week after the end of final examination week. You will receive your diploma by mail after official certification that you have successfully completed all degree requirements. Please allow up to 4 weeks for our office to review ALL applicants individually.
After your degree is awarded, you can track the progress of your diploma.
Clearly indicate special marks (such as accent marks, hyphenations, capitalization, etc.) in your name on the name section of the Graduation Application or in writing by emailing the Graduation Office. This will help ensure the proper presentation of your name for your printed diploma and the commencement bulletin.
Preferred First Name
An approved Preferred First Name may be used on a diploma and in the Commencement Program if requested by you on the graduation application, otherwise your primary (legal) name shall be used. Cal State LA recognizes that some students may wish to use a Preferred First Name other than their legal name to identify themselves. The university acknowledges that a Preferred First Name can and should be used where possible in the course of university business and education. Information for students about requesting a preferred first name is found on the University Registrar website: /registrar/preferred-first-name-pronouns. Please take a moment to review this page and see if using a Preferred First Name is right for you.
The Bio/Demo (Name Change) Form is available for any updates to your name. Please submit the form by emailing the Graduation Office.
Navigate to "Campus Personal Information" on your GET profile to update your Diploma mailing address and preferred email address.
- A: Your name as it appears on your official Cal State L.A. records including special marks that are clearly indicated on your Graduation Application. An approved Preferred First Name may be used on a diploma if requested by you on the graduation application, otherwise your primary (legal) name shall be used.
- Major(s) and, if applicable, option(s)
- Minor(s). An awarded minor will be posted on both the diploma and the Official Transcript. All requirements for a declared minor must be completed by the time the degree is conferred.
- Conferred Date
- Honors: University Honors, Departmental Honors, and/or Honors College will be posted if they have been awarded by the time the degree is conferred.
Cal State LA recognizes that some students may wish to use a Preferred First Name other than their legal name to identify themselves. The university acknowledges that a Preferred First Name can and should be used where possible in the course of university business and education. Information for students about requesting a preferred first name is found on the Preferred First Name page. Please take a moment to review this page and see if using a Preferred First Name is right for you.
Absolutely! To request a duplicate copy of the diploma, complete and submit the Duplicate Diploma Request Form along with the appropriate fee per diploma. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks turnaround time for mailing or processing.
The California Secretary of State authenticates signatures on documents issued in the State of California, to be used outside the United States of America. The country of destination determines whether the authentication is an Apostille or Certification. Authentication requests can be submitted to the Sacramento Notary Public Section office.
- What is a notarization?
- A notarization is verification that the signature(s) are authentic. Diplomas cannot be notarized on campus; they contain signatures of state officials that are not physically present.
- What if I need a copy of my diploma notarized?
- If a third party has asked you to provide a notarized copy of your diploma, an alternative type of notarization procedure is called a Copy Certification by Document Custodian. This procedure allows a person in permanent possession of an original document to sign a written declaration that a copy of it is identical to the original.
- Take your diploma to any Notary Public to request the notarization. The Notary will make a photocopy and, as part of the notarization, will have you sign a notarial certificate that confirms that you are the Document Custodian and that the copy is a complete and true reproduction of the original.
- What is an Apostille?
- An apostille is made by the Secretary of State, verifying the authenticity of a public official signature on a document to be used outside the United States of America.
- More information can be found on the California Secretary of State website.
Use this link for Diploma Tracking after your degree has been awarded and posted to your Official Transcripts.