Frequently Asked Questions
These are just a few questions frequently asked here in the Registrar's Office. If you have any other questions that you might like to appear on this list, please feel free to let us know.
- How do I crash a class?
- How do I sign up for an Intersession or Summer Class?
- How do I defer a student loan?
- How do I enroll for a USD affiliated study abroad program?
- What if I'm studying abroad through a non-affiliated program?
- How do I apply for leave of absence?
- How do I apply for readmission?
- When should I petition for graduation?
- Where can I find information about graduation?
- What happens if I'm a January graduate?
- What if I'm not graduating until August?
- What if I'm a graduate student graduating in January, May, or August?
- How can I get a transcript?
First, come by the Registrar's office and pick up an add/drop form. You
will need to take this form to the instructor teaching the class you want to
take. If they will allow you to crash, have them sign the form under "Instructors
Signature" and bring the form to Founder's 113. There is no fee to add/drop a class.
Back to Top
How do I sign up for an Intersession or Summer Class?
These are considered special sessions and are handled through the Summer and Intersession Office located in Founders Hall Rm. 108. You can also visit
the Summer and Intersession Office Web site. Their direct telephone number is (619) 260-4800.
Back to Top
How do I defer a Student Loan?
You must be enrolled at least half time in order to defer a student loan. Check
with your lender to make sure of their particular regulations. If your
lender has not provided you with a deferment form contact them directly if
you would like them to mail you one, or they might have it posted on their
website. If you do not have an actual form, you can come into the Registrar's
office and have us send your lender a verification of enrollment. Make
sure you get their address or fax number so that you can provide us with this
information.
Back to Top
How do I enroll for a USD affiliated study abroad program?
You can contact the Study Abroad office in several ways. Their direct
phone number is (619) 260-4598 and their office is located in Founders Hall
Rm. 106. The Study Abroad Web
site can also be visited for more information.
Back to Top
What if I'm studying abroad through a non-affiliated program?
If you are studying abroad through another university's program, you
must take a leave absence for that semester prior to leaving USD; otherwise
you will be withdrawn from the University of San Diego. Undergraduate
students should contact the Office of Ass't Vp for Student Learning in order
to obtain the proper paperwork. They are located in the University Center
Rm. 132 and their phone number is (619) 260-7663. If you are a graduate
student, you would contact the Graduate Records Office located in Founders
Hall Rm. 106. The Graduate Records Office phone number is (619) 260-2217.
Back to Top
How do I take a leave of absence?
EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2005
Undergraduate leaves of absence and withdrawals will be handled in the appropriate school or college.
Arts & Sciences majors (including undeclared):
College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Office
Founders Hall 114
(619) 260-4545/FAX (619) 260-4162
Business School majors (including engineering):
School of Business Administration Undergraduate Programs Office
Olin Hall 119
(619) 260-4839/FAX (619) 260-4891
School of Nursing & Health Science majors):
School of Nursing & Health Science RN-BS Program Director's Office
Hahn School of Nursing 107
(619) 260-7608/FAX (619) 260-6814
*International students must also visit International Services (Serra 316) to obtain a signature from the designated school officials
(Note: Process moved from Office of Assistant Vice President for Student Learning and Inclusion)
Graduate students need to contact the Graduate Records Office in order to
obtain the proper paperwork to take a leave of absence. They are located
in Founders Hall. 106 and can be reached at (619) 260-2217. If this paperwork
is not submitted you will be withdrawn from the University.
Back to Top
How do I apply for readmission?
Undergraduate students can either come by the Registrar's Office in Founders Hall 113 to pick up the Application for Readmission, or click here.
Graduate students need to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions to apply
for readmission. They are located in Maher Hall Rm. 257 or can be reached
by telephone at (619) 260-4524.
Back to Top
When should I petition for graduation?
You should petition for graduation
two semesters before you intend to graduate. If you are intending to be May or August, 2008 graduate, you must submit a Graduation Petition. For the Graduation Petition form, click here. If you need instructions for completing the Graduation Petition, click here. Graduate students can obtain their
petition to Graduate in the Graduate Records
Office in Founders Hall Rm. 106. The actual deadline dates for
filing a graduation petition can be found in the academic calendar.
Back to Top
Where can I find information about graduation?
You can find up-to-date graduation information on the Commencement Web
site.
Back to Top
What happens if I'm a January graduate?
If you are a January graduate, you will be able to walk and get your diploma
in the May ceremony of the year. However, your degree will be posted
on your transcripts by the second week in February if you need to show proof
of completion before May.
Back to Top
What if I'm not graduating until August?
Since Commencement is a solemn, official University action, close monitoring of authorized participants is mandatory. August baccalaureate graduates are not graduating, and can claim no right to participate in the May ceremony.
The USD catalog statement reads as follows:
Seniors graduating in August may
participate in the previous May ceremony, provided that: 1) they take
their remaining courses in USD's Summer Session; and 2) they have registered
(including payment) in USD's Summer Session for their remaining courses by
May 1, and have given to the Registrar's Office written evidence of such completed
registration.
What does this mean for August 2008 baccalaureate graduates who wish to qualify for participation in the May 2008 Commencement?
- Courses needed in Summer 2008 to complete degree work must be taken at the University of San Diego. Exceptions to this policy may be approved by the student’s dean when there are extraordinary circumstances beyond the student’s control. Unavailability of a needed course in USD's Summer Session will NOT be grounds for an exception to the policy about Commencement participation. August graduates who wish to take courses elsewhere (after procuring the appropriate waivers) may do so, but they may not participate in the May 2008 ceremony. (NOTE: Summer 2008 courses taken in USD's own Guadalajara and USD’s sponsored Summer Study Abroad programs will meet the requirement for courses taken at USD.)
- August 2008 graduates should register in Intersession 2008 or Spring 2008 for any needed courses that are not being offered at USD in Summer 2008. To facilitate the process of looking at the Spring 2008 and Summer 2008 courses together, a list of courses, dates, and times of USD Summer Session offerings can be obtained at the Summer Session Office, Founders 108 or the USD website. The Intersession 2008 schedule is available in Founders 108. NOTE: Students wishing to participate in the May 2008 Commencement may NOT complete their coursework with an Independent Study (499) during the summer. Unavailability of a needed course in USD's Summer Session will NOT be grounds for an exception to the policy about Commencement participation.
- In cases where financial aid is involved in attendance at USD's Summer Session, papers must be filed timely (by Saturday, March 15, 2008) so that the request can be processed before May 1, 2008. Summer applications will be available in the Financial Aid Office on or after February 1, 2008.
- As noted in the catalog statement above, May 1, 2008, is a final deadline for completion of summer registration at USD for August graduates wishing to qualify for participation in the May ceremony. August graduates may enroll in Summer Session after that day, but it will be too late for them to participate in the May 2008 Commencement ceremony.
- Graduation invitations, caps and gowns will be issued only to:
- May graduates;
- August graduates who have registered and paid by May 1 in USD's Summer Session for all courses needed to complete the degree. (These courses may not include Independent Study.)
What if I'm a graduate student graduating in January, May or August?
If you are a graduate student graduating during any
of the three graduation dates, please contact the graduate records office
at (619) 260-2217 for information. If you would like to go by and see
them, they are located in Founders Rm. 106.
Back to Top
Click here to get full
instructions on how to obtain official or unofficial transcripts.
Back to Top
