10 STEPS TO COMPLETING YOUR GRADUATION PETITION

The Petition for Graduation is designed to give both you and the Registrar a “plan of action” for how you will finish your outstanding requirements for graduation.  Use this to plan out the rest of your coursework and realistically assess when you intend to graduate.  Please keep in mind that the petition needs to be completed in PENCIL.

Step 1 – Side 1
Box 1:

  • Print your name exactly as you want it to appear on your diploma.  
  • Fill in the other blanks. 
  • Print what you consider your "hometown and state" (past or present), as this may be included in the printed graduation programs. 
  • Write in your planned graduation date (month & year only:  May 20__ or December 20__
  • “Contract Catalog” refers to the academic year in which you began the program.

Step 2 – Side 2
Using your most recent assessment (included with the Graduation Petition), simply copy the units onto SIDE 2 of the Petition just as they appear on the assessment.  (It will become clear as you continue what the abbreviations mean.)

Your job now is to let the Registrar’s Office know how you plan to “fill in the blanks” left on your petition. You will need to find courses that will meet these open requirements before you can graduate.  Please indicate how you intend to fulfill these requirements using Steps 3 through 5. 

Step 3 – Side 2

  • Courses already taken or currently being taken that are not on your assessment – If you have completed or are currently enrolled in courses, indicate these on your petition by writing in the number of units (e.g. 3) for courses being taken through BOLD, or a T-followed by the number of units (e.g. T-4) for courses taken at another university or college.  Note: Be sure to have transcripts for all off-campus courses sent to the your Education Center as soon as possible.
  •  If you have filled in any of the “blanks” with transfer courses that you have taken but that do not appear on your assessment, turn your petition back over to Side 1 – Box 4 and list them there (if you need more space use the blank space at the bottom of Side 1, or attach another sheet of paper).

 Step 4 – Side 2

  • Courses you plan to take in your final term to meet your requirements – If you will be taking a course at Biola to meet these requirements enter the number of units and the term in which it will be taken.
  • For example: 3(F06) indicates a three unit class to be taken at Biola University during the Fall 2006 term (July-December); 2(S07) means you will be taking a two unit class at Biola during the Spring 2007 (January-June).
  • For transfer courses from another college or university, enter a T- followed by the number of units and the term.  (e.g. T-3 (S06))
  • If you have filled in any of the “blanks” with transfer courses that you are planning to take, turn your petition back over to Side 1 – Box 5 and list them there (if you need more space use the blank space at the bottom of Side 1 or attach another sheet of paper).

Step 5 – Side 2
Check your assessment to see if you need additional electives units. These units will also have to be accounted for on your Graduation Petition. If you still need elective units, show how and when they will be completed just as you did in Steps 3 and 4.

Step 6 – Side 2
Once all the “blanks” have been filled, add up all the units under each section, even those you have not completed or are planning to take, and put the total of all the units you will have after completing everything at the bottom of each section.

  • Note: units for major courses that were used to satisfy GE requirements are counted under the GE section (Noted on your assessment as ORLD-3 or CPSY-3). Do not count these units toward your major, they cannot be added twice.
  • For graduation, a minimum of 14 units of Bible is needed; 17 Bible units (maximum) can be used to meet the graduation requirement.

Step 7 – Side 1
Box 6:  Now that you have completed Side 2 of the Petition for Graduation, record the totals from the four sections in Box 6.  Your total should be at least 120 units for Organizational Leadership and 130 units for Psychology.

Step 8 – Side 1
Box 2: Sign & date the petition, committing yourself to this graduation plan.  You may also sign on the right side to waive your confidential privacy.  If you have previously requested “Confidentiality” and you do not waive your confidential privacy on this form, your name will not be printed in the graduation program and will not be read at commencement.

Box 3: To be completed by your Academic Counselor after receiving the completed form.

Box 4: Completed under Step 3. 

Box 5: Completed under Step 4.

Box 6: Completed under Step 7. 

Step 9

Double-check everything for accuracy, and submit your completed petition to your Academic Counselor. Missing the deadline for submitting the petition may result in a $200 late fee, assessed by the Registrar’s Office.

Step 10

Your petition is your official plan for graduation.  Failure to follow this plan, or advise your Academic Counselor of any changes to the plan once you have submitted it, may jeopardize your graduation.

If you have any questions at all about filling out the Petition for Graduation, or need recommendations on what courses to take to fulfill your requirements, please contact your Academic Counselor.