Application for a Degree or Certificate
Associate Degrees and/or Certificates are not automatically awarded when students complete the requirements. Students must submit the electronic Degree Application or Certificate Application by the following deadlines.
It is strongly recommended that students meet with a counselor regarding degree, certificate, and/or transfer requirements.
Official transcripts from other colleges must be on file; only when transfer work is to be applied towards degree or certificate requirements. Major course work and course substitutions must be TES (Transfer Equivalency System) approved.
Graduation Application Deadlines
| Graduation Term | Graduation Application Opens | Submission Deadline | Commencement Ceremony |
| Spring 2025 | November 5th, 2024 | TBA | Spring 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | March 3rd, 2025 | TBA | Spring 2025 |
Degree Requirements
- Students may graduate from College of the Desert with an Associate of Arts or Science
degree upon meeting the following District requirements:
- A minimum of sixty (60) degree-applicable units with a 2.0 ("C") Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Completion of twelve (12) units in residence at College of the Desert
- Major, General Education (GE), and Competency Requirement
- Kinesiology Activity Requirement (if required for degree)
Certificate Requirements
- A Certificate of Achievement may be awarded to a student who has completed a required
sequence of courses in an occupational field and fulfilled the following requirements:
- Completion of six (6) units in residence at College of the Desert for certificate field.
- A minimum of a “C” average, 2.0 ("C") Grade Point Average (GPA), shall be maintained in all courses required for the certificate.
Graduation Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Students are strongly encouraged to review their "My Progress" page within the Self-Service portal. The responsibility is on the student to verify that the following is correct prior to submitting their graduation application:
- The intended program reflects on account
- No areas or requirements reflect as missing
- Meet the minimum 2.0 ("C") Grade Point Average (GPA)
Students who have missing areas or are unsure if they are eligible for graduation may meet with a counselor to review program requirements.
If you have coursework currently in progress at another institution, please submit a copy of your unofficial transcript or class schedule to enrolls@collegeofthedesert.edu through your MyCOD student email with the following information:
- Subject: [Term You Plan To Graduate] Degree: In Progress Schedule
- Name & Student ID number
- Name of Other Institution
- Intended Major/Program
- Attach copy of unofficial in progress class schedule
External records must be submitted in a timely manner to prevent a delay in graduation. Once your final grades have been posted, you will need to submit official transcripts to the Admissions & Records office.
If you have completed coursework at a different institution, contact all the schools you have attended and request to have your official transcripts sent to College of the Desert.
External records must be submitted in a timely manner to prevent a delay in graduation.
Students who have completed two years of the same foreign language of high school work with a grade of "C" or better; or, earned a score of 3 or higher on the Foreign Language Advanced Placement test, must request to have their official transcript sent to College of the Desert.
External records must be submitted in a timely manner to prevent a delay in graduation.
Students who are pursuing an Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern or plan on transferring to a UC are recommended to submit their transcript.
Students are strongly encouraged to review their "My Progress" page within the Self-Service portal.
Students may also attend a Student Educational Plan (SEP) Lab to create either an abbreviated Student Educational Plan or a Comprehensive Student Educational Plan.
An additional Associate Degree may be earned if the student completes a minimum of 12 degree applicable units in residence at College of the Desert beyond the prior degree, and fulfills all requirements for the new major field including any additional General Education requirements that are appropriate.
An electronic degree application will be required for each program you intend to complete. Students are encouraged to review requirements for each degree.
An additional Certificate of Achievement may be earned if the student completes the required sequence of courses with at least six (6) units in the certificate field in residence at College of the Desert
An electronic certificate application will be required for each program you intent to complete. Students are encouraged to review requirements for each certificate.
