Frequently Asked Questions   Undergraduate Degrees

Degree progress

Degree auditor

Graduation notification

Candidacy deadline

Final term

Graduation notification

Classes after graduation

Commencement

Latin honors

Minimum degree units

Incompletes

Transcript availability

Proof of graduation

Academic record changes

How can I determine where I stand with respect to fulfilling the requirements for a degree?

Anytime prior to graduation you may request a review of your degree progress. Official degree checks detail those requirements remaining to be satisfied for the completion of your bachelor’s degree. The degree check process varies depending on your college or school -- see "Degree Checks" in the Academic Policies section of the current Schedule of Classes for full details.

Most undergraduates can use URSA to view and/or print out their Degree Progress Report (DPR).

What does a Registrar’s Degree Auditor do?

A Degree Auditor examines the academic record of Letters and Science students during the final term to make sure all requirements for graduation have been fulfilled. See "Degree Checks" in the Academic Policies section of the current Schedule of Classes for information on degree auditing for non-Letters and Science students.

Must I notify my college/school/Registrar of my graduation plans?

Yes. In order to initiate the steps leading to the award of a bachelor’s degree, you identify the term you expect to complete degree requirements through URSA.

This must be done by the time you complete 160 units (172 units for Engineering students) or a late candidacy fee is charged to your BAR account. The identified term must fall within the academic year (four quarters) subsequent to the term in which you reach or expect to reach the 160- or 172-unit mark. Once you have completed 160/172 or more units, a fee is assessed each time you change your degree expected term through URSA.

You may also use the UCLA Declaration of Candidacy form (available for purchase in the school supplies section at any campus UCLA Store) for this purpose. See "Declaration of Candidacy" in the Academic Policies section of the current Schedule of Classes for more details. The form is also available online.

What is the deadline to declare candidacy for the current term?

The last day to declare candidacy for the current term (with fee depending on units completed) is Friday of the second week of instruction (see academic calendars for the exact date for a specific term). Declaration of candidacy after the second week may result in a degree award date for the following term and additional candidacy penalty fees.

Do I have to be registered in my final term?

No. However, if you intend to complete degree requirements as a nonregistered student (take a course through UCLA Extension or at another institution, remove an incomplete grade, etc.), you must file a request to graduate "in absentia" with your degree auditor by the second-week candidacy deadline.

Students graduating "in absentia" are assessed an in absentia degree processing fee in addition to the declaration of candidacy fee if they were also not registered in the term immediately prior to their expected term. See Miscellaneous Fees.

Will I be notified by mail if I am clear to graduate?

You are only notified by your Degree Auditor if you have not fulfilled degree requirements. You are sent a shortage notice at your mailing address sometime after the fifth week of your degree expected term outlining all unfulfilled requirements for the degree.

If you receive such a notice, contact a degree auditor immediately to discuss your plans for completing the requirements.

Can I take classes after receiving my undergraduate degree?

No. Once you have received your degree, your undergraduate record is officially closed. You can take UCLA Summer Sessions courses, but these appear on a separate record and are not included with your undergraduate work. You can also take UCLA Extension courses, as they maintain their own student records.

If I participate in commencement, have I earned my degree?

No. Commencement is held before degree auditors can determine if Spring and Summer candidates have fulfilled their final requirements. Participating in the ceremony is not a guarantee of graduation.

How do I get Latin Honors?

Latin Honors are awarded according to your overall GPA at graduation. To be eligible, you must have completed at least 90 (98 for the School of Nursing) University of California units for a letter grade. The levels of honors are summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude. For specific GPA requirements, which are subject to yearly change, the Latin Honors breakdown is available in "Degree Policies" of the Academic Policies section in the Schedule of Classes. For other eligibility restrictions, contact your college or school or see Academic Excellence in the undergraduate section of the current UCLA General Catalog.

What is the least number of units I need to receive a degree?

In any school/college except Engineering (HSSEAS), you must satisfactorily complete for credit a minimum of 180 units. In HSSEAS, the minimum units allowed is between 180 and 200 depending on the program of study.

Can I receive my degree with an Incomplete grade on my record?

If you do not need the course to fulfill any requirement, you can receive a degree with an "I" on your record.

After I complete the requirements for my degree, when will my final transcript be available?

Official transcripts, with your graduation date included, are available approximately 7 weeks after the end of the final term. There is a per-copy fee.

If I need proof of graduation earlier, what do I do?

If you are a Letters and Science student and require earlier proof of graduation, contact your degree auditor at 1113 Murphy Hall, (310) 825-2754. Depending on the timing of your request in the degree award process and when you need certification, there may be a fee. Non-Letters and Science students should contact a degree auditor in their school (see "Transcripts and Diplomas" in the Academic Policies section of the current Schedule of Classes for more details).

Can my academic record be changed after I have graduated?

Student records are closed to revisions in enrollment, grading, and academic actions upon award of a degree. Students are responsible for requesting review of their record prior to award of their degree. See UCLA Procedure 220.1 Student Grievances Regarding Challenge to Content of Student Records Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act at http://www.adminvc.ucla.edu/appm/public/app_0220_1.html.

Changes requested by the individual after award of a degree are considered by the College or school only under extraordinary circumstances. Supportive documentation is required. Upon action of the academic dean, a statement of the request for revision and a note of the change will be recorded only in the memoranda section of the transcript.