Admissions and Records
Graduation Information
Graduate from Fullerton College with confidence
Planning to graduate? This page brings together the most important current catalog information for traditional associate degrees (AA/AS) and Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T), along with commencement, diplomas, honors, and key next steps.
Current graduation application window
Applications are only open for specific graduation terms. The current application is the one shown here.
- Application term
- Summer 2026
- Application opens
- March 9, 2026
- Application closes
- June 25, 2026
Explore graduation information
Use the section links to jump around the page.
Choose the degree path that matches your goal
Fullerton College offers traditional associate degrees for students completing local degree requirements, as well as Associate Degrees for Transfer designed for students planning to continue to a CSU campus in a similar major.
Select your degree path to see the requirement set that best matches your graduation goal.
Degree requirements
AA & AS graduation requirements
An Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree requires completion of at least 60 degree-applicable units and all seven of the following requirements. Select any requirement to see the full details.
1 Residence Requirement
Complete at least 12 degree-applicable semester units at Fullerton College or Cypress College. Alternatively, you may satisfy residency by completing a minimum of 24 units over two or more semesters at FC.
- Units awarded as Credit for Prior Learning (including Credit by Exam) do not count toward residency units.
- The Board of Trustees may excuse the residency requirement to alleviate injustice or demonstrated undue hardship.
- Official transcripts from all other institutions you have attended must be submitted to Admissions and Records prior to applying for graduation.
2 Major Requirement
Complete 18 or more units and all requirements for your major or area of emphasis.
- Each course counted toward the major must be completed with a grade of C or better, or a Pass (P) grade if the course is offered on a pass/no-pass basis.
- A major is a focused program of study within a specific discipline. An area of emphasis is an interdisciplinary program spanning multiple related disciplines.
3 General Education Requirement
Complete one of the following approved general education patterns:
- Option 1: Fullerton College AA/AS GE pattern (local)
- Option 2: Cal-GETC
- Option 3: CSU GE Breadth (only available to students who enrolled at a CCC or CSU and maintained continuous attendance prior to Fall 2025)
- Option 4: IGETC (same continuous attendance restriction as CSU GE Breadth)
Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution are considered to have fulfilled GE requirements, as long as Title 5 minimums are met. Official transcripts must be submitted to A&R for verification. (See counselor for details.)
A course may not be applied to more than one GE area, but the same course may satisfy both a GE requirement and a major requirement when allowed.
FC local AA/AS General Education pattern
The current Fullerton College local GE pattern requires a minimum of 22 units:
- Area 1: English Composition, Oral Communication, and Critical Thinking (6 units)
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities (3 units)
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units)
- Area 5: Natural Sciences (3 units)
- Area 6: Ethnic Studies (3 units)
- Area 7: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (1 unit)
This local GE pattern does not by itself satisfy CSU or UC transfer GE requirements.
GE credit from another college
Official transcripts from other accredited institutions may be evaluated to determine whether coursework satisfies FC GE requirements. Cal-GETC, CSU GE Breadth, or IGETC coursework completed elsewhere may also satisfy related areas on the local FC GE pattern. The Articulation Officer determines applicability in consultation with discipline faculty as needed.
Already have an associate or bachelor's degree?
Students who have earned an associate, baccalaureate, or higher degree from an institutionally accredited U.S. institution are considered to have met FC GE requirements, provided Title 5 minimums are satisfied. Official transcripts must be submitted to Admissions and Records for evaluation. (See counselor for details.)
4 Scholarship Requirement
Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all lower-division degree-applicable coursework.
- If additional units lower your cumulative GPA below 2.0, Fullerton College may compute the GPA based solely on the courses used to satisfy degree requirements.
- Students who use this modified GPA calculation are not eligible to graduate with academic honors.
AA-T & AS-T graduation requirements
Associate Degrees for Transfer are designed for students who plan to complete a bachelor's degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Completing an ADT guarantees admission to the CSU system, but not to a specific campus or major.
Important: You must apply for graduation for your ADT degree to be awarded. Failure to do so may result in your CSU admission being rescinded.
Units & GPA
Complete at least 60 CSU-transferable semester units with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all degree-applicable coursework.
Residence
Complete at least 12 semester units in residence at Fullerton College or Cypress College.
Major
Complete 18 or more units and all requirements for the AA-T or AS-T major. Each course counted toward the major must be completed with a grade of C or better (or P if equivalent to a C or better).
General Education
Complete one approved transfer GE pattern: Cal-GETC, CSU GE Breadth, or IGETC. CSU GE Breadth and IGETC are only available to students with continuous attendance at a CCC or CSU prior to Fall 2025.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a counselor to confirm which GE pattern they are eligible to use and whether an ADT is the best fit for their transfer goal.
What the ADT guarantees
The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (SB 1440) guarantees CSU system admission for any student who completes an AA-T or AS-T. Students who transfer to a CSU campus that accepts their specific ADT for a similar major will be:
- Granted priority consideration to that campus and major.
- Required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor's degree (unless the major is a designated high-unit major — check the specific degree requirements for details).
The ADT guarantees admission to the CSU system, not to a specific campus or major. It may not be the best option for students targeting a particular campus or transferring to a UC or private institution. Always work with a counselor to confirm it fits your goals.
Approved GE patterns for AA-T/AS-T
- Cal-GETC — available to all eligible students
- CSU GE Breadth — only for students who enrolled at a CCC or CSU and maintained continuous attendance prior to Fall 2025
- IGETC — same continuous attendance restriction as CSU GE Breadth
Biology and Chemistry ADT note
Students pursuing an ADT in Biology or Chemistry may be able to use CSU GE for STEM or IGETC for STEM if they enrolled at a California Community College or CSU and maintained continuous attendance prior to Fall 2025.
Important transfer reminder
AA-T and AS-T degrees guarantee admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. They may not be the best option for every transfer goal — students should always work with a counselor when planning for transfer.
Transcripts, exam credit, and supporting documents
If you need prior coursework, exam scores, or other documents applied toward your graduation review, select a document type to see submission details.
Select a document type to view what to send, where to send it, and any important notes.
Transcripts
Official transcripts from other colleges or universities should be sent directly to Fullerton College Admissions and Records so prior coursework can be evaluated for degree, major, and GE requirements. Transcripts on file are kept for a maximum of five years — if you have been absent more than five years or completed new coursework since your last enrollment, submit updated transcripts right away.
- Submit official transcripts as early as possible before your graduation review.
- Transcripts are not automatically evaluated — you must request an evaluation through a Fullerton College counselor.
- Transfer units will be posted to your FC transcript at the time your degree is conferred, not before.
- Electronic transcripts must come directly from the school or the school's authorized third-party vendor.
Send electronically to: transcript@fullcoll.edu
Or mail to:
321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
High School Transcripts
If you are pursuing a degree or transfer certification and using high school credit to satisfy language or other requirements, send your official high school transcripts to the Fullerton College Counseling Office — not Admissions and Records.
- Official documents must come directly from the school or an approved service.
- If you are unsure whether your high school transcript is needed for your graduation review, check with Counseling before submitting.
Send electronically to: COUNdocs@fullcoll.edu
Or mail to:
321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
International Transcripts
If you are pursuing a degree or transfer certification and using international college credit to fulfill language or other requirements, send your official international transcripts to the Fullerton College Counseling Office.
- International transcripts may require additional review or an outside evaluation before they can be applied toward graduation requirements.
- Contact Admissions and Records or Counseling to confirm current requirements before submitting.
Send electronically to: COUNdocs@fullcoll.edu
Or mail to:
321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Advanced Placement (AP) & CLEP Credit
Fullerton College grants General Education credit for successful AP exam scores of 3, 4, or 5. Credit may apply toward the FC Associate Degree GE pattern, Cal-GETC, and eligible majors. CLEP (College Level Examination Program) scores of 50 or above may also be awarded credit in eligible subject areas. It is the student's responsibility to petition for credit through Admissions & Records.
- Official AP score reports must be on file before credit can be reviewed — submit early if you want scores considered in your graduation evaluation. AP scores must be sent by the College Board directly to the A&R Office (hand-carried copies in a sealed envelope are also accepted).
- Do not take a course for which you have already earned AP or CLEP credit. Duplicate credit will not be awarded by FC or any transfer university. If you are unsure whether your exam score or a required course overlap, speak with a counselor before enrolling.
- There is no AP or CLEP exam that satisfies the Area 1B Critical Thinking/Composition GE requirement — this must be completed through coursework.
- Once AP or CLEP credit is posted to your transcript, it cannot be removed.
Submit the AP/CLEP Credit Form
View the full AP, CLEP, and IB credit tables in the FC catalog
Mail official AP scores to:
Fullerton College Admissions & Records321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
International Baccalaureate (IB) Scores
Credit is awarded for IB Higher Level (HL) exams only. Required scores vary by subject:
- Most HL subjects require a score of 5, 6, or 7.
- Language A (Literature; Language and Literature) and Theatre HL exams require a score of 4, 5, 6, or 7.
- Standard Level (SL) exams do not qualify for FC credit.
Approved credit may apply toward FC AA/AS GE areas and Cal-GETC. Students must complete the petition process through Admissions and Records to have credit posted to their record. Do not take a course equivalent to an IB exam you have already passed — duplicate credit will not be awarded.
View the full IB credit table in the FC catalog to see which subjects qualify and how they apply to GE areas.
Mail official IB scores to:
Fullerton College Admissions & Records321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
SAT II Scores
SAT II scores may be accepted in limited cases based on current college policy and prior catalog rules. Students should confirm eligibility before relying on these scores for graduation purposes.
For questions about SAT II score eligibility or to submit documentation, please contact the Fullerton College Counseling Department.
Questions or submissions:
Fullerton College Counseling Office321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Military Experience Credit
Fullerton College accepts military coursework and experience toward credit in the following ways:
- College-level courses completed through the United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) will be accepted for credit. The transcript must be mailed directly from the DANTES Contractor Representative, Madison, WI 53713.
- Service training school coursework is accepted for credit as recommended by the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces (American Council on Education).
- A student may petition for an evaluation of military education and experience after completing 40 degree-applicable units from an accredited college or university, including a minimum of 12 units at Fullerton College. Petitions are processed through the Veterans Resource Center.
- A copy of the DD-214 (discharge papers) must be submitted with the evaluation petition. Credit awarded is elective only and posted at graduation. Elective credit for military work will not exceed 30 units.
CSU transfer students with a DD-214: FC certifies 3 units of transferable credit and full completion of CSU GE Area E for students who submit a DD-214 documenting completion of basic training. Students using the FC AA GE pattern or IGETC instead of CSU GE will receive 3 units of degree-applicable elective credit.
Start with: Veterans Resource Center
Fullerton College Admissions & Records321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Petition to Substitute Graduation Requirements
A course substitution is the process of receiving formal approval to use one or more courses to satisfy specific course requirements in a major for an Associate Degree or ADT at Fullerton College.
- The official Petition to Substitute Graduation Requirements must be signed and approved by the division dean for your major.
- The petition is valid for two years from the date it is submitted to Admissions & Records.
- Petitions are not transferable to other majors.
- Students are advised to work with a counselor to review other college transcripts and determine where substitutions may be appropriate.
Complete and submit the petition online using the link provided. Once submitted, it will be routed for review and approval.
Graduating with honors
Honors are determined by your cumulative GPA across all attempted lower-division coursework, including transfer work from other colleges, excluding non-degree credit courses.
Honors
Cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher (excluding non-degree credit courses).
High Honors
Cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher (excluding non-degree credit courses).
Ceremony vs. diploma designation
Spring grades are not included in the GPA used for the ceremony honors announcement, but are included in the final honors designation recorded on the diploma.
Note: Students who graduate using the modified GPA calculation (GPA computed only on courses used for the degree) are not eligible for honors or high honors. Students using this option should be aware this affects their diploma designation as well.
Commencement and diplomas
Commencement
Participation in commencement is optional and entirely separate from earning the degree. Commencement is held once a year at the end of the Spring term. Previous Summer and Fall graduates, as well as current Spring candidates, are automatically invited to participate.
Visit the Commencement page for current ceremony details, regalia, and updates.
Diplomas
Diplomas are mailed to the address on file with the college approximately three months after graduation. Diplomas are not distributed at the commencement ceremony.
If you change your mailing address after applying for graduation, update your address with Admissions and Records via MyGateway to ensure your diploma reaches you.
Policies and special circumstances
Review anything in this section that may apply to your situation. When in doubt, meet with a counselor before you apply.
Before you apply
DegreeWorks
DegreeWorks is your degree audit tool — it shows exactly which requirements you have completed, which are still in progress, and what's left before you can graduate. As you complete courses each semester, your audit updates automatically so you always have a current picture of where you stand.
Use DegreeWorks to spot any remaining gaps before you submit your graduation application. Keep in mind it is a planning tool — your official evaluation is completed by Admissions and Records when you apply.
Log in to myGateway and go to Shortcuts → DegreeWorks to access your audit.
Catalog rights
Students who maintain continuous enrollment may graduate under the catalog in effect when they first enrolled at FC, any catalog in effect during their continuous enrollment, or the catalog in effect when they apply for the degree.
Continuous enrollment means receiving any grade (including W, EW, or I) in at least one course per academic year. Documented military or medical leave, or attendance at another regionally accredited institution, does not break continuous enrollment.
Special circumstances
These apply in specific situations — expand any that are relevant to you.
Multiple associate degrees
Students seeking more than one associate degree may be subject to additional residency and coursework requirements. If you have already earned or plan to earn multiple degrees, meet with Counseling to review how catalog rules and degree requirements apply to your record.
Credit for prior learning
Students may receive credit for knowledge or skills acquired outside the traditional classroom through Fullerton College's procedures for awarding Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Note that CPL units do not count toward the residency unit requirement for your associate degree(s). Contact Admissions and Records for more information.
Noncredit course petitions
In limited situations involving injustice or demonstrated undue hardship, students may petition to have noncredit courses counted toward associate degree requirements. Contact Admissions and Records to discuss eligibility.
Need help planning your graduation?
For help with graduation requirements, degree planning, transfer questions, or supporting documents, connect with the appropriate office listed in this section.
Admissions & Records
Questions about graduation applications, transcript evaluation, diploma requests, and records processing.
Counseling
Meet with a counselor to confirm your degree path, catalog rights, transfer plan, and remaining coursework.
Commencement
Questions about the ceremony, participation, regalia, and day-of details.