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Pepperdine | Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Degree and Diploma FAQS

 How does GSEP define graduation?

Graduation at GSEP means you have completed all degree requirements for your program, and have submitted an Application for Degree Posting to have your degree awarded to your academic record.

 Why do I have to apply to graduate?

Applying to graduate serves as the school's notification that you have completed your degree requirements and may be eligible to have your degree awarded to your academic record.

 What is an Application for Degree Posting?

An Application for Degree Posting serves as your formal request to have your degree posted to your academic record indicating you have completed all degree requirements. Applying to graduate is a University requirement.

 How do I apply to graduate and have my degree awarded to my student record?

Master degree students must submit an Application for Degree Posting through their student WaveNet account. Detailed instructions, including screenshots, are sent to potential graduates through their Pepperdine e-mail account after the add/drop period of each term.

Doctoral degree-seeking students will complete a paper Application for Degree Posting only when instructed to do so after clearing APA Review, or completing a doctoral internship.

 I am trying to apply to graduate through my student WaveNet account, but I do not have an option to apply?

The link for the Application for Degree Posting is only available during the first month of the term in which the degree should be awarded. If you are trying to submit your application through your student portal after the application has closed, please request a paper Application for Degree Posting from your academic advisor. If you are trying to apply through your student portal before the term has started, you must wait until the term begins.

 How do I confirm GSEP received my Application for Degree Posting?

If you apply to graduate through your student WaveNet account, a confirmation page will appear after you click "submit." Be sure to retain this page for your records.

If you submit a paper application, you can contact your academic advisor to confirm receipt or e-mail gsepreg@pepperdine.edu.

 What happens if I submit my Application for Degree Posting during the wrong term?

If you apply to graduate for a term in which you will not complete your degree requirements, your next term's financial aid and enrollment appointment will be canceled. Be sure to submit an Application for Degree Posting ONLY during the term in which you will complete your degree requirements.

  I applied to graduate too soon and now I need to re-apply. How do I do this?

If you need to re-apply to graduate, you must complete and submit a paper Application for Degree Posting. Please contact your academic advisor, or e-mail gsepreg@pepperdine.edu, to request a paper application.

 Do I need to submit an Application for Degree Posting in order to attend the GSEP Commencement Ceremony?

No, the Application for Degree Posting is solely for the purpose of awarding your degree to your academic records. If you are interested in attending the GSEP Commencement Ceremony, be sure to R.S.V.P. by completing the Commencement Ceremony R.S.V.P link which will be e-mailed to all potential graduates during the spring term. For questions regarding your R.S.V.P, please email gsepgrad@pepperdine.edu.

 How do I know if I’m nearing the completion of my degree?

Students should monitor their degree progress by reviewing their Degree Audit Report (DAR.) From the "Home" page of your WaveNet account, select the "Advising" button on the left-hand side and then select the Degree Audit Report link to access your DAR. Be sure to verify academic requirements by consulting the GSEP Academic Catalog applicable to your term of entry, re-entry, or of a program plan change. For questions regarding degree completion, contact your academic advisor for further information.

 Who can I contact for questions regarding degree completion?

You may contact your academic advisor, or program administrator directly through your WaveNet account. Select the "Advising" button on the left-hand side of the "Home" page of your WaveNet account for direct email access to your advisor.

 I am nearing the completion of my Master’s degree, when should I apply to have by degree awarded?

You should apply to graduate by submitting an Application for Degree Posting during the term in which you will complete your degree requirements and before the application deadline.

 What is the deadline for applying to graduate?

Current application deadline dates are listed in the GSEP Academic Catalog or the online GSEP Academic Calendars. A reminder for the term's deadline will be included in the instructions for applying to graduate.

Doctoral students will be given individual application deadlines during the APA Review process or doctoral internship.

 I am nearing the completion of my Doctoral degree in Education, when should I apply to graduate?

You should apply to graduate by submitting your Application for Degree Posting only after you have received APA Clearance and have been instructed to do so by the Assistant Manager of Writing Support.

 I am nearing the completion of my PsyD degree, when should I apply to graduate?

You should apply to graduate by submitting your Application for Degree Posting only after you have received APA Clearance and completed your doctoral internship.

 If I attend the GSEP Commencement Ceremony does this mean I have graduated?

No, attending the GSEP Commencement Ceremony does not mean you have graduated and completed your degree requirements. You must submit an Application for Degree Posting during the term in which you will complete all degree requirements in order to officially graduate.

 Can I attend the GSEP Commencement Ceremony if I haven’t graduated yet?

Yes. If you are a doctoral (EDD or PsyD) student you may attend the GSEP Commencement Ceremony as long as you have passed your Final Oral Defense by your program's deadline.

Master's level students enrolled in an education or on-campus psychology program can attend the GSEP Commencement Ceremony if they will complete their degree requirements by the end of the Summer (August) term.

Master's level students enrolled in an online psychology program must complete all degree requirements by the end of the Spring (June) term.

 Where can I find details regarding the GSEP Commencement Ceremony?

Details including, but not limited to when and where the ceremony will be, can be found here[BROKEN LINK]. You may also e-mail gsepgrad@pepperdine.edu, or call 310-568-5757.

 When will I receive information regarding attendance at the GSEP Commencement Ceremony?

The GSEP Events department will email the Graduation Attendance Form to all potential graduates during the spring term. To confirm your attendance, you can email gsepgrad@pepperdine.edu.

 How do I confirm my R.S.V.P for attending the GSEP Commencement Ceremony was received?

After completing and submitting the GSEP Attendance Form, you will receive an automated confirmation e-mail from gsepgrad@pepperdine.edu. If you do not receive a confirmation, you can e-mail gsepgrad@pepperdine.edu, or call 310-568-5757 to inquire.

 I have graduated, when will my degree be awarded to my academic record?

For students who have applied to graduate by submitting an Application for Degree Posting and have completed all degree requirements, degrees will be awarded to academic records approximately one week after the term has ended and grades have been submitted by faculty.

  I have graduated, when should I expect to receive my diploma?

Diplomas are mailed to students approximately 120 days after degrees have been posted. You will not receive your diploma if you have any existing holds on your student record. Be sure to check your student WaveNet account for any holds which would prevent you from receiving your diploma, i.e. Federal Loan Exit Counseling or a delinquent tuition balance. Contact the respective office for the hold as soon as possible to prevent a delay in receiving your diploma.

 How do I order official transcripts after my degree has been posted to my student record?

Recent graduates have access to request an official copy of their transcript through their student WaveNet account up to 90 days after their degree is posted. You may also request an official copy of your transcript here[BROKEN LINK]. Be sure to indicate on your transcript request "do not process until the degree has posted." You may contact the OneStop office for questions regarding transcript processing by visiting here[BROKEN LINK] or calling 310-506-7999. Note: students will not receive transcripts if they have any existing holds on their student record.

 I have graduated and need to submit confirmation my degree has posted to my employer sooner than receiving my diploma. How do I do this?

You can request a Degree Verification letter by visiting here.

 How do I change my name on my diploma?

If you have legally changed your name and would like your academic records to reflect your new name, you must submit a Name Change Form. After receiving confirmation of your name change, you may then request a new diploma by submitting the Diploma Replacement Form. Both forms can be located here.