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! Here's how it works:

• Preferred First Name Change:
  If you want to use a preferred first name (for example, “Katie” instead of “Katherine”), you can indicate this when you fill out your Graduation Petition. There’s a space on the form to enter your preferred first name for your diploma.

• Legal Name Change (Last Name or Full Name):
  If your last name or full name has legally changed, or if there was an error on your application, you’ll need to submit a Name Change Request Form.

  • This form is required to update your official records and diploma.
  • Please allow 3–5 business days for processing.

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 this 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. The GWC Transfer Center can help you with this.

Understanding General Education (GE)

General Education (GE) courses give you a broad foundation of knowledge and skills that are essential for success in college and beyond. These courses come from a variety of subjects—like arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences—and help you:

• Think critically and creatively
• Communicate clearly in writing and speech
• Solve problems using evidence and logic
• Understand diverse perspectives and cultures
• Prepare for upper-division university coursework

GE is a required part of earning an associate degree or transferring to a university.

Ways to Complete GE Requirements

You can meet GE requirements through one of the following pathways:

1. GWC Local GE Pattern

   • Used only for Associate of Arts (AA) degrees.
   • Requires at least 18 units across Areas A–E, including the Cultural Diversity Requirement.

2. CSU GE Breadth (Retired starting Fall 2025)

   • For students with catalog rights prior to Fall 2025, this pattern is still valid.
   • Requires at least 39 units.
   • Eligible for the Certificate of Achievement in CSU GE Breadth.

3. IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) (Retired starting Fall 2025)

   • For students with catalog rights prior to Fall 2025, this pattern is still valid.
   • Requires 34 units (UC) or 37 units (CSU).
   • Eligible for the Certificate of Achievement in IGETC.

4. Cal-GETC (Starting Fall 2025)

   • A new, unified GE pattern for students transferring to both CSU and UC.
   • Requires a minimum grade of “C” (2.0 GPA) in each course.
   • Courses taken for “Credit” or “Pass” are accepted if equivalent to a “C” or better.
   • Note: May not be ideal for high-unit majors or students transferring to private or out-of-state schools.
   • CSU transfers must complete 9 additional upper-division GE units after transfer.
   • UC transfers may also need to complete additional GE after transfer.
   • Always check with a GWC counselor to see if Cal-GETC is right for you.

AD-T Degrees (Associate Degrees for Transfer) require completion of CSU GE Breadth, IGETC, or Cal-GETC. The local GE pattern cannot be used for AD-T degrees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are CSU GE Breadth, IGETC, and Cal-GETC the same?
A: Not exactly. While all three are general education patterns for transfer, they have different requirements and are designed for different purposes:

• CSU GE Breadth is for students transferring only to a CSU. It includes oral communication and the U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals graduation requirement.
• IGETC is for students transferring to UC or CSU campuses. It includes a foreign language requirement and is not recommended for some UC majors.
• Cal-GETC is the new unified GE pattern (starting Fall 2025) for students transferring to both CSU and UC. It includes Ethnic Studies and removes the foreign language requirement for UC-bound students.

Note: CSU GE Breadth and IGETC are retired starting Fall 2025. However, students with catalog rights prior to Fall 2025 may still use these patterns. New students starting in Fall 2025 or later will follow the Cal-GETC pattern.

Q: Which GE pattern should I choose?
A: It depends on your transfer goals.

• IGETC is best if you're applying to both CSU and UC.
• CSU GE Breadth is fine if you're only transferring to a CSU.
• Cal-GETC is the new option for both CSU and UC starting in 2025–2026.

Q: Can a course count for both GE and my major?
A: Yes! One course can count for both GE and major requirements (with some exceptions—check with a counselor).

Q: Can a course count for more than one GE area?
A: No. Even if a course appears in multiple GE areas, it can only be used to satisfy one area.

Q: Can I use AP scores for GE credit?
A: Yes. Most AP scores of 3 or higher can be used. Official scores must be sent from the College Board. See the GWC Catalog for details.

Q: Can I use courses from other colleges for GE?
A: Yes, if the college is regionally accredited and the courses are equivalent. They must be evaluated and approved.

Q: Is there a GPA requirement for GE patterns?
A: Yes.

• IGETC & Cal-GETC: All courses must be completed with a C or better (C- not accepted).
• CSU GE Breadth: A C or better is required in Areas A and B4, and in 30 of the 39 units overall.

Check Your GE Progress

There are two easy ways to check your General Education progress:

Option 1: Use Your MyGWC Portal

1. Log in to your MyGWC portal
2. Click My Records
3. Select Unofficial Transcripts
4. Choose:
   • Transcript Level: All Levels
   • Transcript Type: Unofficial Transcripts
   • Click Submit
5. Scroll to the Transcript Totals section to view your completed GE Breadth and/or IGETC requirements

Option 2: Use Degree Works

• Log in to your MyGWC portal
• Click on Degree Works to view a detailed breakdown of your completed and remaining GE and major requirements.

Need Help?

We highly recommend making an appointment with a GWC Counselor. They can walk you through your Degree Works audit, help you understand your progress, and guide you in choosing the best GE pattern for your goals.

Golden West College offers several types of certificates in career education programs designed to prepare you for entry into a specific field of employment. Here's what you need to know about each type:

Certificate of Achievement

• This is a state-approved certificate that requires 8–16 units (or more) of coursework in a specific academic or career field.
• These programs focus on courses that directly support specialized job skills and career readiness.
• To earn this certificate:
  • You must complete all required courses with a grade of “C” or better, unless otherwise noted.
  • At least 50% of the coursework must be completed at Golden West College.
  • You must submit a Certificate of Achievement Petition.
• Students who complete this certificate will receive a printed certificate and be recognized at the graduation ceremony.

Certificate of Competency (Noncredit Programs)

• This certificate is awarded to students who complete a noncredit program and demonstrate skills that prepare them to:
  • Advance in a career path, or
  • Transition into credit or degree-applicable courses.

Certificate of Completion (Noncredit Programs)

• This certificate is awarded to students who complete a noncredit program that prepares them for:
  • Entry into a career path, or
  • Enrollment in degree-applicable courses.

Need Help?

• A full list of certificate programs and their requirements can be found in the Degrees and Programs section of the GWC Catalog.
• Be sure to meet with a counselor to confirm your eligibility and understand the steps to complete your certificate.

If you’ve taken classes at other colleges and want them counted toward your degree or certificate at Golden West College, here’s what you need to know:

Submit Your Official Transcripts

• You must submit official transcripts from all other colleges you’ve attended before you petition to graduate.
• You do not need to submit transcripts from Orange Coast College or Coastline Community College.

How to Submit:

• Mail or drop off transcripts in a sealed envelope
• Have them sent directly from the other college
• Or, if allowed by the other college, email e-transcripts to: gwctranscripts@gwc.cccd.edu.

How Transcripts Are Evaluated:

• We review all lower-division, degree-applicable courses with grades of A, B, C, D, F, CR, or P.
• Courses with W, NC, or NP are not reviewed.
• Evaluations are done during a counseling appointment or through an online request if you’re not meeting with a counselor.

In-Progress Courses from Other Colleges

If you're taking a class outside the Coast Community College District (not at GWC, OCC, or Coastline) and it's required for graduation:

• You must submit an official transcript showing a passing grade of C or better to Admissions & Records.
• This transcript must be received no later than the third week after the semester ends to complete the second evaluation of your graduation petition and determine your graduation status.

Special Attention:

We carefully review courses in these key areas for transfer certification:

For Cal-GETC Certification:

• Area 1 – English Composition
• Area 2 – Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning
• Area 6 – Ethnic Studies

For CSU GE Certification:

• Area A2 – Written Communication
• Area A3 – Critical Thinking
• Area B4 – Math / Quantitative Reasoning

For IGETC Certification:

• Area 1A – English Composition
• Area 1B – Critical Thinking – English Composition*
• Area 2 – Math / Quantitative Reasoning

Courses from private or out-of-state colleges may not be accepted if their descriptions don’t clearly show required elements like critical thinking or writing requirements.

COURSE SUBSTITUTIONS

What is a Course Substitution?

If you believe a course you took at GWC or another college should count toward a major or certificate requirement, you can request a Course Substitution.

How to Submit:

• You’ll need to complete a Course Substitution Form before or while submitting your graduation petition.
• The form must include:
  • Your instructor’s signature
  • A signature from the Department Chair or Dean
  • Any required documents (such as official transcripts, course descriptions, or a syllabus)

Please contact counseling for assistance with submitting the form. This is the only way to access the Course Substitution Form.

Note:

• The Course Substitution Form cannot be used for AD-T (Associate Degrees for Transfer).
  If you're trying to use coursework from another college for an AD-T, please meet with a Transfer Center counselor for evaluation.

For more details, check out 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 want an extra copy of your diploma or certificate of achievement, you can order a duplicate for $20.00 per degree/certificate copy.

How to Order:

• Please find the Duplicate Diploma form here: Admissions & Records Forms

Questions?

Email the Graduation Department at:
📧 gwcgraduation@gwc.cccd.edu

Need Proof of Your Degree?

You can also order official transcripts here, which include your degree and the date it was awarded.

Helpful Links:
The California Community Colleges Chancellor's 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 kind of letter do you need?

Pending Graduation Letter

If you’ve already submitted your Graduation Petition Form and need proof that you're on track to graduate—for a job, promotion board, or school application—you can request a Pending Graduation Letter here. This letter confirms that you’re expected to graduate soon and are accepted by most employers and organizations.

Note: This letter is only for students who haven’t officially graduated yet.
If your degree has already been awarded, you can order your official transcripts here, which will show your degree and the date it was awarded right at the top.

Letter of Invitation (foreign visa purposes only)