Graduation

Graduation 101

• General requirements
• Different Kinds of Degrees
• Student Responsibilities
• Degree Audit
• Advisor help
• Apply for Graduation
• Commencement and Degree Posting
• Help and Contact Information

General Information for all degrees

• Minimum GPA 2.0 required – some programs require higher standards
• Basic Skills must be met – this is based on courses or placement
• Intermediate Algebra Proficiency for Transfer Degrees and some technical degrees.
• Degree Requirements must be met
• Diversity Requirement must be met
• Last 15 credits or 30 out of the last 45 credits need to be taken at SPSCC

Different Kinds of Degrees

You must apply for graduation for ALL degrees and certificates. Some degrees have certificates within them – you must apply for the diploma and each individual certificate in order for it to post on your transcript AND for us to order diplomas

Transfer Degrees

• 2+2 model (2 years at SPSCC and then 2 years at the university)
• The goal is to complete general university requirements at SPSCC
• Complete any prerequisites to your major related classes

Applied Science Degrees & Certificates

• These degrees are designed to complete courses toward a particular career skill
• The goal for these degrees is to graduate and to go to work in a career area
• These degrees are generally non-transferable

Students are responsible to:

• Ask questions about your degree or certificate and meeting with assigned advisor regularly
• Follow the degree planner/program planning guide. Don’t assume you can substitute or waive certain courses. Be sure you are meeting the basic skills requirements if applying for certificates.
• Maintain continuous enrollment. If you take two or more quarters off, you will be under a new catalog and new degree requirements possibly substantially different in new catalog in effect upon re-entry
• Submit a graduation application for each degree or certificate, preferably two quarters prior to graduation and not later than one calendar year after the year which you would have graduated
• Inform Enrollment Services if you change the quarter that you plan to graduate to a different quarter
• Make sure fines are paid and your are current with financial obligations to the college
• Keep your address and name up-to-date. Inform Enrollment Services of any changes to your diploma mailing address by emailing or call (360) 596-5241

Degree audit is a great tool to help you track your progress!

Online Degree Audit Tool.

• You can use Degree Audit to view NOTES for you from advisors.
• Can view degree requirements for any program
• Monitor progress – see which courses have been completed and what is still needed to graduate
• NOTES section may have information on transferred credit and/or graduation application review
• Placement Test scores are available here
• Academic plans can be created and saved within Degree Audit.

Advisors can help you track your progress!

Meet with your assigned advisor each quarter prior to registration. Advisor contact information can be found on the Faculty & Staff directory.

If your advisor is not available you can make a graduation check appointment with an Educational Planner in the Student Welcome Center in Building 25.  or a make a graduation check at: https://schedule.spscc.edu/schedule/

How and why do you need to apply for graduation?

Graduation Application (pdf)

The How

• Fill out the Graduation Application and turn it into Enrollment Services when you are two quarters away from graduating. Optional Publicity Sheet may be turned into Enrollment Services.

The Why

• You may get an official degree check so that you know exactly what is left to take
• You may get priority registration in your last couple of quarters
• This is the only way to get your degree or certificate posted on your transcript even if you are not participating in the graduation ceremony

Deadline – Applications received by April 30th more likely to be in Commencement Program Listing

What is the difference between Graduation Ceremony and Degree Posting?

Graduation Commencement Ceremony - Commencement

• Commencement Ceremony is the celebration held once every year in June for all graduates
• Participation in the Graduation Commencement Ceremony is NOT official since grades are not posted at the time the ceremony is held
• The Ceremony is a formal but not official celebration held once a year in June for all graduates
• Participation in the Ceremony is NOT mandatory. Information is online and at college bookstore
• Your Name and Degree and Graduation Honors may be listed in the Commencement Program
• GPA is based on the winter quarter college-level grades for High and Highest Honors
• HIGH Honors are GPAs of 3.75 to 3.89 ~ HIGHEST Honors are GPAs of 3.9 to 4.0

Degree/Certificate Posting - view my grades/unofficial transcript

• The posting of your degree/certificate to your transcript is your OFFICIAL notice of completion
• Degrees and Certificates typically post to official transcript about 3 to 4 weeks after quarter ends
• Diplomas and transcripts are not released if a student has financial obligations to the college
• Diplomas are ordered approximately 8 weeks after the quarter ends and mailed to you
• Diplomas are mailed to the address in the Student Registration System. Keep address updated. NOTE: If your address is NOT correct and your Diploma is mailed to the wrong address and you do not receive it, you will be subject to a $10 Diploma Replacement Fee.

If you need help-ask us!

Contact your advisor or Enrollment Services if you have questions about your degree requirements or graduation!

• Graduation Services can be reached at
• Advising Services and Educational Planners can be reached at  in Building 25 and/or call (360) 596-5241 for additional information.