Graduation
Your Path to Graduation – Here's What You Need to Do
As you get ready to cross the finish line, make sure you're all set for graduation. Follow these steps before the semester you plan to graduate to ensure a smooth process:
1. Get Officially Admitted to Your Program or Major
Make sure you’ve been officially admitted to the program or major you're graduating from. If you’re not sure, check in with your advisor.
2. Complete Your Application for Graduation
Fill out your Application for Graduation – this tells us that you’re ready to walk across that stage.
3. Submit Your Application for Review
Once your application is complete, submit it to your academic advisor or program director. They’ll review everything with you, double-check your graduation requirements, and sign off on your application. Their signature means they’ll send it in on your behalf.
Important Things to Remember:
- Stay on Track: You’ll need to work closely with your advisor to make sure you’ve completed all the graduation requirements based on your catalog year (the year you started your program).
- Don’t Forget: If you don’t finish all your requirements in the semester you applied for, you’ll need to submit a new application for a future semester.
Extra Honors? We’ve Got You Covered
- Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) Stamp: If you're eligible for an MTA stamp on your transcript, let your advisor know so we can add it.
- Phi Theta Kappa Seal: If you're a member of PTK, make sure to request the PTK seal for your diploma.
After Graduation: What’s Next?
Once you’ve completed all your requirements and the final paperwork is in, here’s what happens next:
- Wait Time: It can take up to 90 days to receive your official degree or certificate in the mail.
- Transcript Update: Your degree or certificate will also show up on your college transcript once everything has been confirmed.
Need a Replacement? No Problem
Lost your diploma? Need a replacement certificate? A replacement can be issued for a small fee. Just contact Student Services for more details.
Readmitted Students: Pay Attention
If you were readmitted after missing four or more semesters, you’ll follow the requirements in the current catalog. In some cases, the date you were admitted to your program may be more important than your readmission date, so double-check with your advisor.
Questions? We’re Here to Help
For any questions or if you need help along the way, reach out to District Student Services at studentservices@mail.wcccd.edu. We’re here to make sure you have everything you need to finish strong.
FAQs
Yes, there is a deadline every semester. Graduation application deadlines:
|
Fall |
MM/DD/YYYY |
|
Spring |
MM/DD/YYYY |
|
Summer |
MM/DD/YYYY |
Graduation Applications submitted after these dates Application will be moved to the following semester.
Step 01: Meet with an Advisor to review your transcript/application to make sure that you have met all requirements. This includes all grades, waivers, changes of grades, sufficient GPA, and a sufficient number of credit hours. (It is recommended that you manually count each credit hour for accuracy).
Step 02: Once grades have been submitted, the campus will review all transcripts a second time to make sure that all requirements have been met and to be sure that applicants are still eligible for graduation. After all, applications have been approved by the campus Presidents, then the campus sends all complete graduation applications/folders to District Records.
Step 03: Students who are deemed deficient by the campus should be notified by the campus. District Records should not receive any deficient student applications and/or folders.
Step 04: Once District Records has received applications/folders from all the campuses, Records will then send an email informing all prospective graduates that their applications have been received. It is difficult for Records to answer questions regarding applications if they do not have the applications folders in their possession.
Step 05: From this point on, applicants will update any necessary information with District Records at [email address] so that the correct diploma will be awarded, ordered, and mailed.
A Deficient means that you have not met all of the requirements for a certain degree and/or certificate program. This includes alt coursework grades, waivers, change aggrades, sufficient GPA, and sufficient credit hours. You should review your transcript with an Advisor, to make sure that you have met all of the requirements. If the Audit Department deems a student deficient, the student will not receive a diploma, whether he or she participated in the graduation ceremony or not.
The entire process takes approximately 90 days after the semester ends. (Not after the application is turned in). Records must wait until current grades have been submitted before the final audit process starts. This is for all applicants, whether you are waiting on grades or not. All applications are audited and reviewed at the same time. Do not call the campuses about your degree. When it is awarded, it will be stated on your unofficial transcript (Web-Gate).
No. Summer, and Fall graduates should already be aware and should have already received their diplomas before the ceremony takes place in June. For spring graduates, the final audit is taking place during the same time as the ceremony. At this time, Applicants should already know if they have met all of the requirements or not, by the Advisor.
There is not a "graduation list". The college does not read the graduates' names from the ceremony booklet. As long as you know that you have met all of the requirements for your degree/certificate program, then you are eligible to participate in the ceremony. If the Audit Department deems an Applicant deficient, the student will not receive a diploma; whether he or she participated in the ceremony or not, The Audit Department makes the final decision.
