Graduation

1.What is the difference between a degree and a diploma?
A degree is the academic title you earn after completing a program of study. A diploma is the physical document that proves you earned that degree.

2.How can I find out what I still need to complete?
If you've completed 30 college units, you can request a pre-graduation check to see what's left.
For a more detailed discussion about your remaining courses, we recommend making an appointment with an academic counselor. Contact the Counseling Center to set up your appointment. Be sure to bring your student ID and all college transcripts you have.

1. Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADTs)
2. Associate Degrees
3. Certificates

Please make sure you successfully complete all your in-progress courses. If we need any more information from you or if your petition is denied, we'll let you know via your student and personal emails.

You can check your unofficial transcript for the most up-to-date status of your degree or certificate. (Note: Certificates of Specialization won't show on transcripts).

5. When will my degree appear on my transcript?
Your degree is usually posted to your academic record about four weeks after the semester ends and all grades are finalized.

6. Can I change the name on my diploma?
Yes, you can change the name on your diploma. When you fill out the graduation petition, there is a space to indicate a preferred name for your diploma.

7. When is commencement? 
Commencement is our graduation ceremony. It takes place at the end of May to celebrate all graduates from the previous Summer and Fall semesters, as well as current Spring graduates. Please visit our COMMENCEMENT home page for all Commencement information.

8. Will I get my diploma at commencement?
No, you'll only receive a diploma cover at the ceremony. Your actual diploma will be mailed to you 2-3 months after the semester ends. We'll post mailing updates on the Graduation channel of the GWC app.

9. Does walking in commencement mean I've been awarded my degree?
Not necessarily. If you're a Summer or Fall graduate, your degree is already on your transcript. However, for Spring graduates, final evaluations happen after commencement. This means you could participate in the ceremony but still be denied your degree if you don't meet all requirements during the final check.

10. Will I receive my diploma if I have a hold on my record?
No, having a hold on your record will not prevent you from being awarded your diploma.However, a hold on your account will prevent you from registering for any future courses.

• Your address on file was incorrect. Contact us, and we can re-mail it as long as your account has no holds.
• The diploma was lost in the mail. If you contact us within 90 days of the mailing date, we can replace it for free. After 90 days, you'll need to order and pay for a replacement.
• Your diploma was returned to us as undeliverable. We can forward it to a new address.
• It may have been mailed to an old address and discarded, in which case you will need to order and pay for a replacement.

1. Have your transcript evaluated by an accredited evaluation and translation service from the NACES list.
2. Submit the official evaluation to Golden West College's Admissions & Records office.
3. Schedule an appointment with a counselor to apply the credits to your educational plan.
4. We can apply these international credits toward your Golden West College local Associate degree (Option 1) requirements.

Transferring to a University

Golden West College cannot apply international coursework toward an Associate Degree for Transfer or for Cal-GETC Certification. While some universities may accept your international credits, it is up to the university you transfer to to decide which courses they will accept and how they will apply to your degree. For details, you should contact the four-year college directly.

To make an appointment to discuss out-of-country academic records contact the Counseling Center at 714-895-8119.

You can check the status of your graduation petition at any time by viewing your unofficial transcripts on MyGWC.com. Please do not contact us to ask for a status update, as this can slow down the review process for everyone.

How to View Your Status

1. Log in to MyGWC.com.
2. Find the "Transcripts" tile.
3. Click on "All Colleges".
4. Choose "GWC Undergraduate" for Transcript Level and "Unofficial Transcript" for Transcript Type.
5. Look for the "Degree Awarded" section, usually found at the top of the transcript. If you submitted petitions for multiple degrees or certificates, you'll see a separate entry for each.

Understanding Your Status

• Applied: We've received your petition and it's waiting to be reviewed.
• Pending: Your petition is currently being reviewed, or we are waiting for your final grades to be posted for the current semester.
• Awarded: The degree or certificate has been officially awarded.
• Denied: The degree or certificate has been denied.

 

If we need more information or if it looks like you are missing requirements, we will contact you via your student email. If you don't hear from us, you can assume everything is on track. Please allow 3-12 weeks after final grades are posted for a final decision, especially during the busy spring semester.

Golden West College awards Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees to students who have met all graduation requirements. These degrees typically take two years to complete and are designed for two main purposes: to prepare you for transfer to a four-year university or to prepare you for a job after graduation.

All GWC majors and programs are approved by the college and the state. To earn an associate degree, you must meet the following requirements:

Degree Requirements

Major or Area of Emphasis:

• Complete a minimum of 18 units in your chosen major.

• Earn a grade of "C" or better in all major coursework.

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in your field of study.

General Education (GE):

• Complete a minimum of 24 units from the GWC General Education list.

• OR, complete a minimum of 34 units of the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC). Students who choose this option will also receive a Certificate of Achievement in Cal-GETC. 

Unit & Grade:

• Complete a total of 60 degree-applicable units.

• Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in those 60 units. 

Residency:

• Complete at least 12 units within the Coast Colleges (Golden West, Orange Coast, and/or Coastline College).

If you plan to transfer, you should meet with a GWC counselor to choose the best general education option for your major and transfer university.

Please Note:

If you began your studies at GWC before FALL 2008 and have maintained continuous enrollment (completion of at least one college course per catalog year), you may be able to graduate under the old requirements. Please contact your counselor in regard to your educational plan.

The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree designed for students who want to transfer to a California State University (CSU). By completing this degree, you're guaranteed admission to a CSU campus, though not necessarily a specific one. It also guarantees that you won't have to complete more than 60 units after you transfer to earn your bachelor's degree (unless you're in a high-unit major).

This degree is ideal if you're transferring to a similar major at a CSU. It may not be the best choice if you're planning to transfer to a specific UC campus or certain CSU majors.

This degree also provides guaranteed admission to many private/independent California colleges and select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)!

Always meet with a GWC counselor to plan your degree and transfer.

ADT Requirements

To earn an ADT, you must meet the following:

• Total Units: Complete 60 CSU-transferable units.
• Major: Complete a minimum of 18 units in your major with a grade of "C" or better in each course.
• General Education: Complete the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).
• GPA: Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all your CSU-transferable coursework. Some majors may require a higher GPA.
• Residency: Complete at least 12 units within the Coast Colleges (Golden West, Orange Coast, and/or Coastline).

Courses that count for your major can also be used to satisfy Cal-GETC requirements. A GWC counselor can help you with this.

General Education (GE) courses introduce students to the fundamental ideas and intellectual activities that scholars across campus—in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences—draw on in their work. Courses in the GE curriculum offer diverse perspectives on how human beings think and feel, solve problems, express ideas, and create and discover new knowledge. These courses also help students acquire the skills essential to university-level learning: they challenge students to assess information critically; frame and deliver reasoned and persuasive arguments orally and in writing; and identify, acquire, and use the knowledge necessary to solve problems. Basically, General Education is required curriculum that makes up the foundation of an undergraduate degree.

Completion of General Education Requirements by one of the following methods:

1. Completion of a minimum of 18 units as listed under Areas A through E, including the Cultural Diversity Requirement. General Education Requirements
2. Completion of a minimum of 39 units of CSU General Education requirements. Students who complete this pattern are also eligible to receive the Certificate of Achievement in CSU General Education Breadth
3. Completion of a minimum of 34 (UC) or 37 (CSU) units of Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements. Students who complete this pattern are also eligible to receive the Certificate of Achievement in IGETC.

Students should consult a GWC counselor in order to select the best pathway to meet their educational goals. For students who intend to transfer, the choice of general education will be specific to both their major and transfer institution.

What is the GE Breadth?
The CSU General Education Breadth is a pattern of courses that community college students can use to satisfy lower division general education requirements for any California State University campus. This agreement describes the coursework that students must take to fulfill the lower division G.E. requirements for the CSU campuses.  CSU GE Breadth Requirements
 
What is the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)?
The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is a pattern of courses that community college students can use to satisfy lower division general education requirements for any University of California or California State University campus. This agreement describes the coursework that students must take to fulfill the lower division requirements. IGETC Requirements  (Note: On some UC campuses, IGETC is not recommended for some majors.)

Are CSU GE-Breadth and IGETC the same?
No. While similar, there are some key distinctions between the two patterns. IGETC has a foreign language competency requirement that can be met in a variety of ways. Most students will satisfy this requirement with either two years of high school foreign language with grades of C or better, or one semester of foreign language at the college level.

The CSU GE-Breadth requirements include an oral communications course, as well as the graduation requirement of U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals. This graduation requirement can be met at the community college and can be included in the general education coursework. 

Which General Education Pattern should I choose?
It depends. If you plan on applying to both the UC and CSU, then the IGETC is an appropriate pattern as it meets the requirements for both systems. If you are only seeking transfer to the CSU, then you can follow the CSU GE-Breadth requirements.

Check what requirements you have completed on your unofficial transcript:

1. Log-in to your MyGWC portal.
2. Click on My Records on the left navigation bar.
3. Click on Unofficial Transcripts under Transcripts.
4. Transcripts Level: All Levels // Transcripts Type: Unofficial Transcripts // Click Submit
5. Click on Transcripts Totals. This will take you to the bottom of the page where you will find the completed requirements for the GE Breadth and/or IGETC. 

Can a course be used to satisfy both General Education and Major requirements?
Yes. A single course can meet the requirement for both general education and major requirements. See a Counselor for exceptions.

Can a course be used to satisfy more than one GE Category?
No. While a course may appear in more than one general education category, it can only be used to satisfy the requirement in one area.

Can I use Advanced Placement scores for IGETC or CSU Breadth?
Yes. Official Advanced Placement scores must be received from College Board for these to be used in either general education pattern. In most instances, scores of 3 or better will be granted course/subject or unit credit. See GWC Catalog for a listing of AP tests, scores, and approved credit.

Can I use coursework from any college to meet the IGETC or CSU GE Breadth requirements?
Yes. A community college can include courses from regionally accredited colleges and universities to meet IGETC requirements if the coursework is evaluated and deemed to be equivalent to that of the community college course.

Is there a GPA requirement for the CSU Breadth and/or the IGETC Pattern?
Yes. IGETC coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better. Grades of Pass or Credit will be accepted when a passing grade is equivalent to a C or better. C- and D grades are not acceptable.

 The CSU GE Breadth requirements stipulate that grades of C or better must be achieved in areas A and B4, as well as coursework in 30 of the 39 units of the general education pattern. Grades of Pass or Credit will be accepted when a passing grade is equivalent to a C or better.

Golden West College offers two types of certificate awards in career programs designed to prepare the graduate to enter a particular field of employment.

Certificate of Achievement: Requires 12 or more units in a state approved program. Certificates of Achievement are not automatically awarded. A petition must be filed in Admissions & Records at the beginning of the semester in which the student will be completing the final requirements. Petitioning periods are listed below.

Certificate of Specialization: Approved programs of less than 18 units. Certificates of Specialization are not awarded automatically. A petition must be filed in Admissions & Records at the beginning of the semester in which the student will be completing the final requirements. Petitioning periods are listed below. Certificates of Specialization are not printed on official academic transcripts.

A list of career programs and requirements can be found in the Degrees and Program Section of the Golden West catalog. Check with a counselor to determine the requirements for completion.

Official transcripts from all other institutions you have attended must be submitted to the Admissions & Records before petitioning to graduate for a degree or certificate. You do not need to submit official transcripts from Orange Coast College or Coastline Community College.

Official transcripts from other institutions must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Students may personally hand in their transcripts, have it sent directly from the institutions, or if the other institutions permit, students may have e-transcripts emailed to gwctranscripts@gwc.cccd.edu.

Transcripts submitted to Golden West College are evaluated for every lower division, degree applicable course completed with a grade of A, B, C, D, F, CR or P. These courses, units, and grades earned are applied as appropriate to the student's GWC goal and used for educational planning purposes. Transcript evaluations are completed in conjunction with scheduled counseling appointments or by completing an online request if no counseling appointment is scheduled.  Courses with W, NC or NP notations are not reviewed or applied. Students must request copies of official sealed transcripts be sent to Admissions and Records from each college attended before an evaluation can be performed.

We are required to carefully scrutinize general education courses in the areas of written and oral communication, critical thinking and composition, and mathematics and quantitative reasoning that represent the following areas:

For California State University General Education Certification:

• CSU GE Area A2 – Written Communication
• CSU GE Area A3 – Critical Thinking
• CSU GE Area B4 – Mathematics / Quantitative Reasoning

For Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum Certification:

• IGETC Area 1A – English Composition
• IGETC Area 1B – Critical Thinking – English Composition*
• IGETC Area 2 – Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

Application of courses from private or out-of-state colleges and universities is often denied because course descriptions are insufficient and do not confirm required course elements (e.g., 5,000 written words, critical thinking, inductive/deductive reasoning, etc.).

COURSE SUBSTITUTIONS

What is a course substitution?
If you believe a course taken at GWC or at another institution should be used to substitute for a requirement within a major or certificate, you may file a Course Substitution Form. This form must be completed prior or concurrent to petitioning for graduation. Course Substitution Forms must be complete with Instructors signature and a signature from either the chair or Dean of the department being petitioned. You will need to submit any necessary official transcript and/or course descriptions and/or course syllabus with the course substitution. Incomplete forms will not be processed.

Please contact counseling for assist if submitting the form.

Please Note: The Course Substitution Form may not be used for courses being used toward an AD-T. Students attempting to fulfill AD-T requirements with coursework from other colleges or institutions must speak with a Transfer Center counselor for evaluation.

For more detailed information please visit the Golden West College Catalog’s Policies and Regulations

Academic Honors 

You can earn academic honors based on your GPA without any application or fees. These distinctions are automatically added to your transcript. These semester distinctions are not, however, sufficient to entitle students to the privilege of graduation with honors.

• President's List: Complete 12 or more letter-graded units with a 4.0 semester GPA.
• Dean's List: Complete 12 or more letter-graded units with a 3.50–3.99 semester GPA.
• Honors List: Complete 6–11.9 letter-graded units with a 3.75–4.0 semester GPA.

Graduation with Honors:

To graduate with honors, you must:

• Meet all graduation requirements.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher across at least 48 letter-graded units.

Important: Your final GPA for honors is calculated using all college coursework, including classes from other schools. The GPA shown on your transcript or MyGWC may not be your final honors GPA. Certificates are not eligible for graduation with honors.

Recognition for Graduation with Honors:

Students who graduate with honors will have this noted on their diplomas and transcripts. If you are a Summer or Fall graduate, or a Spring graduate with "potential honors," you will receive a gold honors cord to wear at the commencement ceremony. Your name will also be in the commencement program.

Note to Spring graduates / Potential honors:

The May commencement ceremony happens before final spring grades are posted. To recognize students at the ceremony, we calculate a "potential honors" GPA by assuming you'll earn "A's" in all your in-progress classes. This is what determines if you receive an honors cord and are listed in the program.

After final grades are posted, we calculate your final honors GPA. Your final grades will affect your honors status on your diploma and official transcript.

Understanding Your Catalog Rights 

1. When you first started attending any California community college or CSU campus.
2. When you started attending our college.
3. When you plan to graduate.

You are responsible for telling us which catalog year you want to follow when you submit your graduation petition. If you don't petition and lose your catalog rights, you will have to follow the graduation requirements from the catalog year you reapply in.

• You change your program of study.
• Your program has specific requirements from an outside agency or licensing board that must be completed within a set timeframe.
• Your vocational program changes to meet new industry standards.

Note: Documented military withdrawals will not be considered an interruption of your enrollment. This policy applies only to formally admitted students, not to special admit or dual enrollment students.

For more detailed information please visit the Golden West College Catalog’s Policies and Regulations

​If you've already graduated from Golden West College and you'd like to order a duplicate copy of your diploma or certificate of achievement, please submit a Duplicate Diploma Order Form using one of the links below. There is a $20.00 charge per replacement document.

 For information regarding Duplicate Diplomas orders you may contact the Graduation Clerk, Christy Banales at cbanales@gwc.cccd.edu.

Still have access to your GWC login, then use this order link: Current Student

No longer have access to your GWC login, then use this order link: Former Students

You can also show proof of degree by ordering official transcripts. Official transcript orders can be placed at: www.goldenwestcollege.edu/records/

Helpful Links:
The California Community Colleges Chancellors Office:
https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors-Office

The California State University: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/transfer/Pages/ccc-associate-degree-for-transfer.aspx

What type of verification do you need?

Letters of Pending Graduation
If you need to verify your cleared graduation status due to an upcoming promotion board appearance, school admission, or other work-related circumstance, you may request a "pending graduation letter" as long as you have already submitted your Graduation Petition Form. A Letter of Pending Graduation is accepted for most employment and/or promotion board purposes as confirmation of an upcoming graduation.

Note: Letters of Pending Graduation are not intended for students whose degree has already been conferred. Students that need verification of a degree previously earned should submit an Enrollment Verification Request, or visit the National Student Clearinghouse at, http://www.studentclearinghouse.org/

Letter of Invitation (foreign visa purposes only)
Students with international guests may request a formal invitation to their commencement ceremony. The invitation will state the student’s name, when their ceremony is, and that all invited family and friends are welcome. This letter is intended only as helpful supplemental information. We cannot guarantee how U.S. consulates will approach each individual situation.

Note: It is recommended that you also provide your invitees with an Enrollment Verification to accompany this letter. Provide each of your prospective guests with a copy of your invitation letter and Enrollment Verification to present as part of their request for a visitor’s visa.

Graduation Letter Requests Form