Clearance to Graduate

There are important and required steps you must take in order for the University to confer your degree upon successful completion of the degree requirements.  Receiving your diploma and participating in the commencement ceremony are related, but separate matters from graduating from PGBS.

Step 1: Submit Intent to Graduate Application

Students who are in their final term of enrollment and will be completing all academic requirements at the end of the academic term will receive instructions for completing an online Intent to Graduate application approximately in week 8 of the term. If you believe you are eligible for graduation and have not received the communication, please contact your academic advisor or the program office immediately. 
 
The Intent to Graduate application is a requisite step for the Registrar’s Office to confer your degree and is only valid for the term in which you submitted the application. The Registrar’s Office will confer your degree and mail your diploma certificate upon confirmation all academic requirements have been fulfilled and receipt of the Intent to Graduate application. If for some reason you are unable to complete your degree by the specified term for which you applied for, you will need to submit a new application for the following academic term.

Step 2: Ensure Your Academic Clearance

Students should monitor their degree progress by reviewing their Degree Audit Report (DAR) and consulting the PGBS Academic Catalog applicable to the academic year that you began your program.  If you have additional questions regarding degree completion, please contact the appropriate program office to confirm that you have met all of the academic requirements for your particular program. 

Step 3: Obtaining the Diploma

Diplomas are mailed to students approximately 120 days after degrees have been posted to students' academic records and any existing holds on your student record are cleared. Direct questions about diploma mailings to 310.506.6152.

If you have legally changed your name and would like your academic records to reflect your new name, you must submit a Name Change Form. After receiving confirmation of your name change, you may then request a new diploma by submitting the Diploma Replacement Form. Both forms can be located on the Office of the Registrar's website.

Step 4: Prepare for Your Commencement Ceremony

Your graduation from Pepperdine University is a significant achievement. Plan to enjoy this important transition in your life with family and friends. For more details about the commencement ceremony,  visit the Graduation Events page for information. 

NOTE: Attending the PGBS Commencement Ceremony does not mean you have graduated and completed your degree requirements.