Frequently Asked Questions
- My Degree Progress Report (DPR) does not have information on my major/minor. Why?Your major/minor may not be declared. Submit a signed Plan Change Form to the Office of the Registrar to officially declare or correct a major/minor. For advisor contact information, visit Major Advising and College Success Centers.
- I think my Degree Progress Report (DPR) is wrong. What can I do?
For questions regarding general education (GE), contact Graduation Advising. For questions regarding your major, minor, or certificate, contact your specific advisor. For advisor contact information, visit Major Advising and College Success Centers.
- When should I apply to graduate?
Apply one year in advance of the term in which you will complete all degree requirements and coursework.
(Example: If you will finish all degree requirements by Spring 2027, the on-time deadline is May 15, 2026).
Students who apply on-time will be reviewed prior to their last semester, may receive a priority graduating senior registration appointment for your final term, and will avoid a late fee.
- What is the difference between graduating and walking?
Graduating is completing all degree requirements. This could be in the spring, summer, or fall term. The winter intersession is part of our spring term.
Walking is participating in the commencement ceremony, which is only held in the spring.
- When can I walk?Chico State holds one commencement ceremony in May. This ceremony celebrates students graduating in five different terms (last summer and fall, this spring, summer, and fall).
If you will graduate in winter, spring, or summer, you would walk in the spring ceremony of that year. If you will graduate in fall, you can walk in the spring ceremony before or after- it is your choice.
- How long will it take to receive my diploma?
Your diploma may take up to 12 weeks to be received afterthe official graduation conferral date of the term. Spring conferral date is May 31, Summer conferral date is August 31, and Fall conferral date is December 31.
* International delivery will require additional time.
Degrees are typically posted to your academic record and can be verified 4-6 weeks after the official graduation conferral date of the term. You can confirm that your degree has been awarded by running your Degree Progress Report or an unofficial transcript in your Student Center. Once you see the degree posted at the top, prospective employers and agencies may request enrollment or degree verification through the National Student Clearinghouse.
Do we know where to send your diploma? Be sure to update your diploma address in your Student Center if needed. You can also submit a forwarding address with the United States Postal Service to help ensure your diploma is delivered to the correct location.
- What will my diploma say?
Your diploma will include your degree, major(s), any applicable option, and any honors earned. Patterns, minors, and certificates will not show on the diploma, nor will it indicate that a major was completed in an online format.
If you complete multiple majors within the same degree (BA, BS, BFA, or BSW), all majors will be listed on a single diploma. If you complete multiple majors that lead to different degrees, you will receive separate diplomas that list the major(s) for each degree.
The diploma is size 8.5 x 11.
- Where will my diploma be mailed?
Your diploma will be mailed to the diploma address you have listed in your Student Center. If no diploma address is provided, it will be sent to your permanent address. To update the address on file in your Student Center, use the "Profile" drop-down on the left and select "Contact Info".
If you plan to move shortly after graduation, it’s recommended that you submit a forwarding address with the United States Postal Service to help ensure your diploma is delivered to the correct location.
Chico State contracts with Michael Sutter Company for diploma printing. Visit the Michael Sutter Company(opens in new window) website to view when and where your diploma was mailed as well as the name, major, option & honors listed on the diploma.
- How and when can I get verification of my degree?
Degree Verification for Students
Degrees are typically posted to your academic record and can be verified 4-6 weeks after the official graduation conferral date of the term. Spring conferral date is May 31, Summer conferral date is August 31, and Fall conferral date is December 31.
You can confirm that your degree has been awarded by running your Degree Progress Report or an unofficial transcript in your Student Center. You can request an official transcript in advance to be sent after the degree has been posted to the academic record.
Once your degree is posted to your academic record it can be verified online by prospective employers and agencies. They can request through the National Student Clearinghouse.
Degree Verifications for Prospective Employers or Agencies
Chico State partners with the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) for providing degree and enrollment verifications to prospective employers or agencies. Requests can be submitted at www.degreeverify.org. If a student has a FERPA restriction, the written consent of the student is required by NSC to release information. If a prospective employer or agency has submitted a request, processing typically takes 2-5 business days.
Enrollment is typically verifiable after the first week of the semester.
Degrees are typically verifiable 4-6 weeks after the official graduation conferral date of the term. Spring conferral date is May 31, Summer conferral date is August 31, and Fall conferral date is December 31.