Degree and Certificate Requirements

Please Note: In order to apply for graduation, Students must either need to be an Active Student or have met with a counselor. (Active Student: Enrolled within the past year).

A.A./AS Degree Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 60 degree applicable units.
• Complete the AA/AS Graduation, CSU GE-B, IGETC CSU or IGETC UC requirements.
• Complete required major courses with a C (or P) or better.
• Earn a 2.0 degree applicable grade point average.
• Complete at least 12 units at Mission College to establish residency.

AA-T/AS-T Degree Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 60 transferable units.
• Complete either the CSU GE-B or IGETC CSU requirements.
• Complete required major courses a C (or P) better.
• Earn a 2.0 transferable grade point average.
• Complete at least 12 units at Mission College to establish residency.

Certificate Achievement Requirements

• Complete all required certificate courses with a C (or P) or better.
• Earn a 2.0 degree applicable grade point average
• Complete at least 1/3 of the program courses at Mission College to establish residency.

Graduation Checklist

Application and Document Deadlines

Fall 2023 (for students who will complete requirements by end of Fall 2023)

• Application Opens: August 1, 2023
• Deadline to Submit Application: September 23, 2023
• Deadline to Submit Official Documentation: September 30, 2023
• Term Complete: December 16, 2023
• Degree Posted/Diploma Mailed: March 31, 2024

Spring 2024 (for students who will complete requirements by end of Spring 2024)

• Application Opens: January 1, 2024
• Deadline to Submit Application: February 24, 2024
• Deadline to Submit Official Documentation: March 2, 2024
• Semester Complete: May 24, 2024
• Degree Posted/Diploma Mailed: July 31, 2024

Summer 2024 (for students who will complete requirements by end of Summer 2024)

• Application Opens: April 1, 2024 
• Deadline to participate in Spring commencement: April 22, 2024
• Deadline to Submit Application:  June 22, 2024
• Deadline to Submit Official Documentation: July 29, 2024
• Term Complete: July 2024
• Degree Posted/Diploma Mailed: September 30, 2024

Students wishing to submit an application after the stated deadline, please fill out this Late Graduation Application form by March 31, 2024.

**** For technical assistance with the Apply to Graduate process, email [email protected].****

After the Application

Submitted applications can be viewed by selecting View Application to Graduate in My Portal. All applications will remain in a "pending status" and will be reviewed after grades have been posted.

If applicable, submit the following documentation to the Admissions & Records Office by the deadline listed above:

• Official Transcripts from other colleges*
• Official AP, CLEP and IB test scores
• Course Substitutions approved by the appropriate academic department (upload approved form to the DOCUMENT UPLOAD FORM)
• High School transcripts (translated official or unofficial), translated foreign diploma or the Language other than English Verification to clear IGETC Area 6 (upload these documents to the DOCUMENT UPLOAD FORM)
• IGETC Area 1C Waiver approved and submitted by the Articulation Officer.

* For in-progress courses taken at other colleges: Official transcripts must be sent to Admissions & Records immediately after coursework is complete and grades are posted. Applications to Graduate will not be processed if official records are not on file. 

Important Notes

• Official documentation must be sent electronically from the institution or mailed to Admissions & Records Office, 3000 Mission College Blvd, M.S.#9, Santa Clara, CA 95054
• MISSING DOCUMENTS WILL DELAY THE EVALUATION PROCESS OR RESULT IN A DENIAL.
• Status inquiries after the Diploma Mailed date above or address changes should be directed to [email protected]. 
• If you need to re-apply for graduation for various reasons, (example: applied for Fall semester but need to now move to Spring semester), contact [email protected].

Diplomas

Mission College issues diplomas for credit-level students who earn certificates and associate degrees using an online system called Parchment.  Diplomas are issued to students via two methods listed below.  Initial diplomas are issued free of charge while duplicate diploma requests are available at $10 per request.  

1. Digital diploma

• Emailed to your primary email address. 

2. Hard copy

• Sent via USPS to your mailing address.  

Students will receive their official paper diploma 10 to 15 days after final evaluation.  Please note, final evaluation and official certification of the degree or certificate takes at least 2 months, upon completion of the term.

Students will also receive an official, secure, electronic Diploma/Certificate immediately upon final evaluation. 

Timeline for Receiving Your Diploma:

• Approximately 2 months after your final class.  Degree is officially conferred
• Immediately after official conferral: Get access to your electronic Diploma/Certificate
  • Access Diploma/Certificate at no cost and in perpetuity
  • Diploma/Certificate delivery is secure from tampering
  • Connect your Diploma/Certificate directly to LinkedIn
  • Instantly send Diploma/Certificate to employers or family members
• 10-15 days after official conferral: Receive your high quality paper Diploma/Certificate in the mail
  • Stay current on college email account for shipment tracking notifications. 

Commencement Ceremony

Details about the Commencement Ceremony that takes place in May each year.

Order Graduate Regalia

Regalia, such as caps, gowns, and tassels, can be purchased from our preferred vendor, PromoConnections. More information including the website to purchase items prior to the Commencement ceremony will be posted in late March 2024.

Students will have multiple opportunities to pick up their regalia on campus prior to Commencement.