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Graduation Requirements Checklist

Graduating soon? Below is a typical list of requirements to ensure you fulfill in order to graduate. This list is not all-encompassing and may differ depending on the student. So, we always recommend scheduling an appointment with Orfalea Student Services when planning for graduation.

Check Degree Progress Report
  • No red boxes on DPR if graduating this quarter (or if graduating next quarter and registration is complete)
  • Free electives are fulfilled (meet 180-unit requirement) and other requirements (ex. GWR and USCP) are completed
  • Any Report Pending or Incomplete (“RP” or “I”) grades are resolved
  • Any external transcripts are sent and all transfer credit fulfills expected requirements on DPR (contact evaluations@calpoly.edu with questions on transfer credit)
  • Make an appointment or drop-in our office for help checking Degree Progress
Check GPA

In order to graduate, your GPA (higher-education, Cal Poly cumulative, and major) must be at least a 2.000.

Check Minor(s)

Completion of minors is not required to graduate. If you plan to complete the minor, ensure those requirements are marked in-progress or complete on your DPR. If dropping a minor, please fill out the Drop Minor Request Form.

Check Expected Graduation Term
  • The expected graduation term is assigned to students in PolyProfile under “Career Program Plans” once 72% degree completion is reached
  • Change to an earlier term by filling out the Notification of Earlier Graduation Term Form
  • Extend to a later term by filling out the “Request to Extend Expected Graduation” form available through the Student Form Request
Check Commencement Ceremony
  • Beginning in the 2023-24 academic year, Cal Poly will no longer host Fall Commencement and will instead celebrate all graduates at Spring Commencement in Spanos Stadium. Students will be assigned to the Spring commencement of the same academic year of their expected graduation term.
  • Questions regarding commencement can be directed to commencement@calpoly.edu.
Complete Graduate Status Survey

Although not required, Cal Poly graduates are encouraged to fill out the Graduate Status Survey to help Cal Poly gather data on students’ plans after graduation. Please take a moment to fill it out!

Cal Poly Graduation Process