In order to be eligible for graduation, each student must:

Students wishing to graduate must submit an application for graduation to the Dean of Student Affairs / Registrar with their registration materials at the time of registration for their final trimester. This gives all the administrative departments time to verify that all requirements have been, or will be, met before the end of the trimester.

There is a graduation fee which covers costs associated with the ceremony, such as cap and gown, diploma, etc. All graduating students must pay the graduation fee, whether or not they choose to participate in the ceremony.

• Complete Graduation application form (pdf).

Graduation Examination

Students are eligible for the graduation exam when they have completed 300 hours (level I) of Practice Internship. This is to ensure that students acquire the necessary clinical knowledge and experience to do well in the graduation exam, which is clinically based.

The comprehensive graduation examination is given three times each year. In order to graduate from Yo San University, a student must pass the graduation exam. Passing the graduation exam is also a requirement to sit for the California licensing exam.

If a student fails the exam, he or she is required to repeat the exam at the next scheduled exam date, approximately four months later. Students failing the exam a second time will not be allowed a third attempt until they have undergone, at their expense, a Board Review Class approved by the Academic Dean. Students failing the exam a fourth time may be subject to dismissal from the University.

The graduation examination fee must be submitted to the Dean of Student Affairs / Registrar upon registering for the exam. Registration deadlines are posted in the YSU Academic Calendar. Exam guides are available from the Dean of Clinical Education. To reschedule or cancel an examination a student must give the Dean of Student Affairs / Registrar a written request five business days prior to the date of the examination to receive a full refund. Otherwise, the fee is forfeited.

Graduation Ceremony

A graduation ceremony is held once a year. In order to participate in the ceremony, students must be scheduled to complete all course requirements and clinic requirements by the end of the Spring trimester (April) of their graduation year.

Passing the graduation exam is not a requirement to participate in the graduation ceremony and walk in the graduation procession. But students will not be officially “graduated” and eligible to receive their official diploma until they have passed the graduation exam.

Once a year, at the Graduation Ceremony, the winner of the Board of Trustees' Meritorious Prize (Class Valedictorian) will be announced. Any student who has passed the Graduation Exam by the end of the preceding trimester, and has completed all course work required for graduation by the end of the preceding trimester, is eligible for this prize. Additional awards, including the Distinguished Community Service Award, may also be presented at the Graduation Ceremony.

Time Limit for Degree Completion

The degree must be earned within 8 calendar years (96 months) from the first date of enrollment. The University may require changes in the student's curriculum for the degree when:

If the University finds that a student has not been making satisfactory progress, and cannot be expected to complete all degree requirements, including new requirements set by the University, the University may recommend that the student be dismissed.

No student may complete the program in less than 36 months, unless appropriate transfer credits have been awarded (see transfer credit policies).

Graduation Ceremony

A graduation ceremony is held once year, usually in February. In order to participate in the ceremony, students must be scheduled to complete all course requirements and clinic requirements by the end of the Spring trimester (April).

Passing the graduation exam is not a requirement to walk in the ceremony, but students who have not yet passed it will receive a "mock" diploma until they pass the graduation exam.