Office of the University Registrar

In This Section

The Office of the University Registrar maintains CBU students' official academic records and assists students with transcripts, degree and enrollment verifications, veterans benefits and other requests related to student enrollment.

The Registrar also assists students with official evaluations of previous college work, reviews requests for concurrent enrollment and transfer work, reviews academic variances, processes all applications for graduation and posts final degrees.

Please navigate through the links below to find printable versions of academic forms and resources to help aid you in your academic life here at CBU.

Academic Forms and Resources

Academic Variance

Address and Information Changes

Attendance and Withdraw Policies

Course Schedules

Enrollment/Degree Verification (Letter Request)

FERPA - Student Privacy

Internships

Post-Baccalaureate Credit Request

Readmission Policies (Including VA students)

Graduation Forms

Applying for Graduation

Students should review their InsideCBU degree guide on a regular basis to evaluate progress toward graduation.

Students should submit an application for graduation if they will complete all degree requirements.

You must apply for graduation even if you do not plan on walking in a ceremony.

Application Deadlines

March 15, 2024 for August 31, 2024 posting
July 15, 2024 for December 31, 2024 posting
November 15, 2024 for April 30, 2025 posting

Students who submit their application after the deadline may not be eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Submitting the Application

Students should review their InsideCBU degree guide on a regular basis to evaluate progress toward graduation.
Students should submit an application for graduation if they will complete all degree requirements by the degree posting date.
Graduation Applications must be submitted by the application deadline. Students who do not submit their application by the deadline may not be eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony.
Applications received after the degree posting date will be required to apply for the next eligible degree date.
An official graduation evaluation will be sent to your LancerMail account when your graduation application has been reviewed. If you have questions about the status of your graduation application please contact the Office of the University Registrar.

Graduation Honors

Honors are awarded to baccalaureate degree students according to the following cumulative grade point average:

3.50 - 3.69: Cum Laude
3.70 - 3.89: Magna Cum Laude
3.90 - 4.00: Summa Cum Laude

Honors are awarded to associate degree students according to the following cumulative grade point average:

3.50 - 3.69: Honors
3.70 - 3.89: High Honors
3.90 - 4.00: Highest Honors

Honors announced at the undergraduate commencement are determined by the student's cumulative grade point average at the completion of the previous semester. Degrees and honors awarded in the ceremony are conditional upon completion of all course requirements in accordance with university policies. Postbaccalaureate students (graduate and second major only) are not eligible for graduation honors.

Degree Posting

All degree requirements must be met prior to the posting date.
Degrees completed between posting dates will be posted at the next scheduled date.
Once the degree is posted, no changes will be made to the transcript.

Fees

Graduation Application Fee - Undergraduate Degree $175
Graduation Application Fee - Master’s Degree $250
Graduation Application Fee - Doctoral Degree $750
Duplicate Diploma Fee $50

Graduation Helpful Information

After Applying for Graduation

You will receive a graduation evaluation and a candidacy letter sent to your LancerMail Account or the email address listed on your application if you are not a current CBU student.

If you have questions about your evaluation or if you were denied candidacy, please contact the Degree and Records Analyst who completed the evaluation. Their number and email address can be found at the bottom of your graduation evaluation and on your candidacy letter.

Failure to complete degree requirements by the designated posting date may require re-application and an additional fee will be assessed.

Graduation Ceremony

Closer to the graduation date, you will receive additional information from the Office of University Commencements. The exit process is completed on line through the commencement website. Information about the commencement ceremony and the exit process can be found online at calbaptist.edu/commencement.

Commencement Participation:

Students participate in the Commencement related to their expected degree posting date as approved through the graduation application process.

Graduation Check List

Complete at least 124 semester units of credit, at least 39 of which must be upper division (300 level and 400 level courses).
Complete at least 36 units in residence at CBU, at least 30 of which must be upper division (300 level and 400 level course).
Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 overall with no grade below C- in the major field of study.
Complete all general education requirements.
Complete all coursework in a major as selected from the University Catalog.
Complete all coursework for minor or concentration, if applicable.
Complete a graduation application for planned graduation date.
Satisfy all financial obligations.
Be in good academic standing (not suspended or academically disqualified) at the time of completion.

Graduation FAQs

Q: When should I apply for graduation?

A: The sooner the better! You will want to apply for the posting date you will have all requirements completed by. You should apply for graduation as soon as possible once the application for your posting date is available.

Q: I'm not participating in the ceremony, do I still need to apply?

A: YES! You are applying to post your degree. In order to pick up your diploma you must apply for graduation!

Q: What commencement ceremony will I participate in?

A: Students who are posting their degree in December will participate in the Fall Commencement. Students who are posting their degree in May will participate in the Spring Commencement. Students who are posting their degree in August will participate in the Summer Commencement.

Q: I've already walked in a ceremony, but I didn't post my degree. Do I need to reapply if I'm not walking in another ceremony?

A: Yes, the application is for posting your degree.

Q: My application has been denied. What do I do?

A: Your application was denied because there were too many outstanding requirements that were unaccounted for. Please send an email to your Degree and Records Analyst who completed your evaluation and explain how every outstanding requirement will be completed by your intended posting date. Our office will then re-evaluate your file for graduation.

Q: If I finish my degree mid-semester, when will my degree post?

A: CBU has three posting dates during a graduation cycle and degrees are only posted on those dates. As long as you have applied for graduation, your degree will post on the next posting date following the completion of your coursework.

Q: When will my graduation fee be billed to my Student Account?

A: Your account will be billed the graduation fee after your graduation application has been approved.

Q: I do not plan on walking in a ceremony. Will the graduation fee still be billed to my Student Account?

A: Yes. The fee is the same for every student regardless of whether or not he/she decides to walk in a ceremony.

Q: I am filling out my graduation application and it asks for my outstanding coursework. What should I put there?

A: Please list any courses that you are not currently enrolled in at CBU that you need to take to finish up your degree requirements. This includes any courses to be transferred from another institution.

Q: Do I have to put my full legal name on my diploma?

No. You can choose to include your middle name or maiden name.

Q: When will my diploma be available?

A: Diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application approximately 6-8 weeks after the posting date as long as you are cleared by both the Student Accounts and Financial Aid Offices.

Q: Am I able to order a second diploma?

A: You may order a second copy of your diploma by completing the Diploma Re-Order form and paying the $50 diploma re-order fee. Processing takes approximately twelve weeks. Please contact the Office of the University Registrar for additional information and/or the Diploma Re-Order form.

Q: I'm taking courses at another institution. When do my official transcripts need to be received by CBU?

A: Transcripts need to received in the Enrollment Services Office by approximately the 3rd Friday after the posting date. Please contact the Office of the University Registrar for the exact deadline for your posting date.

Degree Requirements

General Education

The General Education curriculum consists of 40-55 units of coursework designed to provide the student with a strong and diverse academic preparation. In keeping with the ideal of a liberal arts education, the general education curriculum provides students with a broad exposure to the world of ideas and the arts to secure a foundation for students to successfully move into their major of study. In addition, a decidedly Christian perspective is integrated into the requirements and afford the student an opportunity to develop a Christian worldview.

Majors and Minors

Though a minimum of 39 upper-division units are required for graduation, some majors require less than 39 upper-division units. The additional upper-division units may be taken in the student’s major field or in other academic areas. A student may qualify for a minor by using these additional units to meet the requirements for a minor in the field of choice. Coursework for credit toward a major, minor, or emphasis must be passed with a minimum grade of C- and an overall average in the major or minor of 2.0 or higher. Certain disciplines may require a minimum grade of C (2.0) in the lower-division prerequisites also.

Electives

A number of electives may be taken from the regular university courses offered in each department. Students should plan carefully and complete their required work first. Failure to do this may cause students to take more than 124 semester units in order to graduate.

Work in Residence

Students are required to complete 36 units in residence at California Baptist University. Of the 39 upper-division units required for graduation, at least 30 upper-division units must be taken in residence.

Upper Division

Upper division requirements for graduation can only be fulfilled with courses at the 300 and 400 (Junior and Senior) level. Of the 39 upper-division units required for graduation, at least 30 upper-division units must be taken in residence. Lower division units cannot be used to fulfill upper division unit requirements. Upper division requirements that are varianced must be replaced by upper division electives. Students seeking substitutions and exemptions must submit an Academic Variance Form to the Office of the Registrar for approval.

Transcripts

For OFFICIAL transcripts: California Baptist University has partnered with Parchment to accept official transcript orders via the Internet on a secured site. This service allows you to order official academic transcripts 24/7, even when the University Registrar's office is closed or on a holiday break. You can also check the status of your transcript order anytime. Please print or save your order number as this is required for verifying the status of your request.

For UNOFFICIAL transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are available to current CBU students and very recent graduates/attendees. If you are previous student, an unofficial transcript is no longer available through InsideCBU. Please follow the steps for ordering an official transcript.

Please use the link below to order your official transcripts or to check the status of your order.

Transcript Request

Transcript Request Policies

The Transcript Request:

All requests must be authorized by the student.

Processing the Request and Delays in Processing:

Transcript requests with insufficient information, incomplete questions, or a note to hold for a grade or degree to post, may cause a delay in processing.

Included on the Transcript:

Only past and current semester courses at CBU are on the transcript. Future semesters are not included on the transcript.
All program levels (undergraduate and graduate) enrolled at CBU are included.
Other institution's transcripts are NOT included.

Location and Hours

If you are in need of assistance regarding the ordering of your transcripts:
Please call the Parchment Customer Service Department at (847) 716-3005. One of their representatives will be happy to assist you during regular business hours:

Monday-Thursday: 7:00a-8:00p (CST/CDT)

Fridays: 7:00a-6:00p (CST/CDT)

If you have academic questions regarding your transcripts:
Please contact the Office of the University Registrar at 951.343.4566 or registrar@calbaptist.edu during regular business hours:

Monday-Thursday: 8:00a-5:00p (PST)

Friday (Summer): 8:00a-4:00p (PST)

Enrollment & Degree Verifications

California Baptist University partners with the National Student Clearinghouse for most types of enrollment and degree verifications. All students, alumni, and 3^rd party companies should attempt to verify enrollment and degree information with the National Student Clearinghouse before following up with the Office of the University Registrar.

Current CBU Student - Use the Student Self-Service portal. Most common uses are for car insurance discounts, student loan deferments, and tax-related inquires. Access the Student Self-Service portal using your LancerMail credentials.

CBU Alumni (Including recently graduated students and those expecting to graduate very soon) - Visit the clearinghouse website here to generate a degree verification. Depending on the type of verification needed, it could be more cost-effective to order a CBU transcript.

3^rd Party Companies - Both enrollment and degree verifications can be obtained by visiting the National Student Clearinghouse verification services page.

If your request is unique and cannot be resolved by any of the options above, CBU has two additional options to consider:

Transcript Request – Consider ordering a transcript that will contain previous semesters attended, grades, GPA and past course names and numbers. If you have graduated from CBU, your completed degree will also show here.

Letter Request – CBU can write a letter for you that will verify information not otherwise on a verification from the National Student Clearinghouse or on your CBU Transcript. Processing time for letter requests is 3-5 business days. You may be contacted to provide additional information / documentation if needed. Completed requests can only be sent via e-mail at this time.

Letter Request Form (PDF)

Forms can be completed and signed digitally. Email the completed form to registrar@calbaptist.edu.

Transfer Courses

See the Transfer Course Information page.

Additional Information

Need additional information? Then check out InsideCBU and click on the Academics tab. InsideCBU has more information on: