Home Catalog Graduation and Transfer Petition for a Degree

Petition for a Degree

How to Petition for a Degree

Students can file a online petition for a degree or online petition for a transfer degree. Students can also file a petition in person in the Admissions and Records Office. Be prepared to fill out your personal information and each course that satisfies the general education areas and major requirements. All requirements must be met by the end of the term in which you petition.

Requirements

To petition for a degree, students must:

Know their catalog year*
Complete all degree requirements with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
Complete at least 12 units toward the degree within the Los Rios Community College District (American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento City College)

* Usually, students follow the catalog year from which they began and maintained enrollment or the current catalog year. If you have questions about your catalog year, then please consult the information about catalog rights or a counselor.

Required Documentation

The following must be on file in the Admissions and Records Office for a degree petition to be processed:

Official transcripts for all coursework applicable to the degree and completed outside of the Los Rios Community College District^#
Official copies of AP/IB/CLEP test scores, if applicable
A copy of DD214-military discharge papers, or an official Joint Services Transcript (JST), if veteran desires credit for military units
List of courses in progress if attending another college and official final transcripts will be required at the end of the semester for final degree evaluation
Copy of any required competency tests, if applicable

Students must complete all degree requirements by the end of the semester in which they petition for a degree.

^# External coursework may require a petition for course substitution/waiver approval through the department and use towards your program.

Petition Deadlines for 2025-2026

Fall 2025: Friday, October 3, 2025
Spring 2026: Friday, March 6, 2026
Summer 2026: Friday, July 3, 2026

Approval or Denial

Final evaluations begin after final grades are posted at the end of each respective term/semester.

You will be notified via email if your petition is approved or denied.

If denied, then you will be notified of the missing requirements and advised to submit a new petition. If approved, then your degree will be posted to your transcript within three to four months after the end of the semester.

All diplomas will be mailed to the student's address on file. If you need an accommodation to pick up your diploma in person, then please contact the Admissions and Records office.

Petition Semester	Petition Deadline	Approval/Denial Date	Mailed or Ready for Pick-Up
Summer	First Friday in July	End of October	Early December
Fall	First Friday in October	End of March	End of April
Spring	First Friday in March	End of August	End of October

Catalog Rights

For the purpose of graduating or earning a certificate from any college in the Los Rios Community College District, a student who attends at least one session (whether quarter, semester, or summer) in each calendar year at any California community college, California State University, University of California, or any regionally accredited institution of higher education, may choose to meet the requirements in effect at the Los Rios college from which the student intends to graduate, as follows:

Requirements that were in effect at the time the student was admitted to a Los Rios college
Requirements that were in effect at the time the student originally enrolled in an accredited college
Requirements that were in effect at the intended date of graduation from a Los Rios college

Please note:

A college may authorize or request substitution for discontinued courses.
Students who change their major field of study may be required to complete those requirements for the major in effect at the point of change.
For purposes of this section, "attendance" means taking classes in at least one session (semester or summer session) in each calendar year. Absence for attendance at another regionally accredited institution shall not be considered an interruption in attendance, per Los Rios Policy P-7242: Establishing Catalog Rights.

Sacramento City College offers associate degrees, certificates, and transfer opportunities, as well as courses in general education.

Degree Programs

Associate in Arts Degree (AA)

The Associate degree may be obtained by the completion of all required courses for a major (18 units or more) with grades of "C" or better in each course, fulfillment of general education requirements, satisfaction of competencies, and completion of sufficient electives to meet a minimum total of 60 units with a grade point average of 2.0 ("C" average). At least 12 units toward the degree must be completed within the Los Rios Community College District.

Associate in Science Degree (AS)

Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T)

The following are the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) student completion requirements (as stated in SB 1440 law):

Completion of a minimum of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
1. One of the following general education (GE) patterns (check with your counselor to determine the appropriate pattern for the degree you are pursuing):
  - For students with catalog rights of Fall 2025 or later:
    - California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
  - For students with catalog rights before Fall 2025, one of the following:
    - CSU GE Breadth Requirements
    - Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) – CSU option
    - California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
2. A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0. ADTs also require that students must earn a "C" or better (or "P" if taken Pass/No Pass) in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.

At least 12 units toward the degree must be completed within the Los Rios Community College District.

Visit A Degree With A Guarantee: Associate Degree for Transfer to learn more.