Degrees are officially awarded four times a year. A student must have finished all requirements by the final business day of the academic quarter or Summer Session to have their degree dated that quarter. The degree conferral date is the last day of each academic quarter or last day of Summer Session and it is this date that will appear on the student's official University of California diploma and transcript.
Deadlines for Degrees Filed Within the Academic Year or Summer Session
- Fall Quarter 2020: Friday, December 18, 2020
- Winter Quarter 2021: Friday, March 19, 2021
- Spring Quarter 2021: Friday, June 11, 2021
- Summer Quarter 2021: Friday, September 10, 2021
Deadlines for Degrees Filed Between Academic Quarters
A student who completes his/her final degree requirement (e.g., master’s comprehensive exam, project, or thesis, or doctoral dissertation) between quarters (e.g., the break between fall and winter) do not pay additional fees as long as they were enrolled or on a Filing Leave of Absence the previous quarter. The degree conferral date will be the last day of the next academic quarter. Deadlines to file using:
- Fall 2020 Fees or Filing Leave: Monday, January 4, 2021 (Degree conferral is end of winter quarter)
- Winter 2021 Fees or Filing Leave: Thursday, March 25, 2021 (Degree conferral is end of spring quarter)
- Spring 2021 Fees or Filing Leave, or Summer Fees (if applicable): Friday, September 17, 2021 (Degree conferral is end of fall quarter)