Graduation Information

Degree Conferral

Conferral Dates

In addition to the standard spring term graduation in May, Pitzer College offers the opportunity to graduate two other times each year:

Fall – typically finalized in late October (last semester of enrollment would be summer; degree requirements completed prior to the first day of the Fall term)

Winter – typically finalized in late February/early March (last semester of enrollment would be fall; degree requirements completed by the last day of the Fall term).

See the Academic Calendar for conferral dates.

Graduation Application

Graduating Seniors: Please complete the Graduation application here. This form will ask you to confirm your information and let us know how you’d like your name on your diploma. You will also be presented with the option to record your name pronunciation if you’ve not yet submitted a recording.

Diploma and Transcript Information

Diploma Specifications

Size: 8.5 x 11 inches
Orientation: Portrait

Degree Information Included:

Degree (i.e. Bachelor of Arts)
Major(s)
Minor (if applicable)
Honors (if applicable)

Diploma Distribution

For Fall and Winter graduates, diplomas are mailed to the graduate’s permanent address on file with the Office of the Registrar after degrees are conferred (approximately 2-3 weeks after the conferral date listed in the Academic Calendar). Spring graduates will receive their diplomas at the May Commencement ceremony as they walk across the stage. Diplomas will be mailed to Spring graduates who are not participating in the Commencement ceremony.

Duplicate Diplomas

There is a $20.00 fee for a duplicate diploma. The duplicate diploma will have the current Board Chair and President signatures on it. To request a duplicate diploma, please email the Office of the Registrar at: [email protected].

If you have any questions, please email the Office of the Registrar at [email protected]

Transcripts

Please visit the Transcripts and Verifications webpage for availability and ordering information.

Reference File

A reference file, maintained in the Office of the Registrar, contains confidential letters of recommendation for you from faculty and staff selected by you that may be sent, upon your written request, to prospective graduate schools and/or employers. To establish a reference file and obtain recommendation forms, contact the Office of the Registrar at [email protected] or reach us by phone at 909.607.2650

Graduation Requirements

Initiating and maintaining strong communication with your Faculty Adviser is essential, particularly during the senior year.

A. Satisfactorily complete 32 course credits.

Students must satisfactorily complete 32 course credits (of which at least 16 must be taken while registered at Pitzer).
All academic credits transferred to Pitzer are translated into equivalent Pitzer course credits according to the conversion: four semester units or six quarter units equal one Pitzer course. Check with the Office of the Registrar to confirm your transfer credit totals.
Grades earned from courses accepted for transfer credit are not included in the calculation of grade point averages.

B. Declare and Satisfactorily Complete a Field of Major

Students must submit the Major Declaration Form to the Office of the Registrar by midterm of the first semester of the junior year.
Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements for the declared field of major.
In the second semester of the senior year, faculty advisors submit, at the request of the Registrar’s Office, a Degree Verification for majors and minors.

C. Attain at least a 2.0 “C” Grade Point Average overall and in the field of major

D. Fulfill all Educational Objective Requirements of:

(See Guidelines for Graduation for detailed descriptions.)

Intercultural Understanding: Local/Global
Social Responsibility/ Justice: Justice Theory/Responsibility
Humanities (2 courses)
Social/Behavioral Science (2 courses)
Natural Science (1 course)
Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (1 course)
Written Expression (1 course)

E. Complete the Application for Graduation and submit it to the Office of the Registrar

The Application for Graduation, submitted by students by midterm of the first semester of the senior year, verifies how the student’s name will appear on their official Pitzer College diploma and provides other important information relating to Commencement in May.

Commencement Information

Commencement Policy

The College has one graduation ceremony each year, which takes place in May on the Saturday after the end of final examinations. It is a degree-granting ceremony in which only those students who have fully completed the College’s graduation requirements since the last ceremony are allowed to participate.

Please see the full Commencement Policy in the Pitzer College Catalog for information about eligibility requirements for participation in the ceremony.

See the Pitzer College Events Calendar for more information about the upcoming ceremony.

Helpful Information

Announcements and Diplomas

Commencement Forms

Commencement Participation Policy (PDF)

Commencement Week Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

Hotel Accommodations

Sherwood Florist Graduation Leis

Intent to Participate Form closed on April 3, 2023

Regalia Order Form for the Class of 2023 closed on March 15, 2023

2023 Commencement TCCS Activities

Student Marshals & Honored Guest Nomination Form closed on March 15, 2023

Additional Information

For additional information regarding Commencement, please contact:

Office of Student Affairs
[email protected]

For information regarding transcripts, diplomas, references, and questions or concerns related to your graduation status, please contact:
Email Address: [email protected]
Transcript Questions: [email protected].

For information regarding financial aid
Please contact the Financial Aid Office: [email protected]

For information regarding Alumni engagement, please contact:
[email protected]