Commencement

Graduation is an official process whereby the College reviews your academic record to verify that all the requirements for a particular degree, diploma, or certificate have been met. If so, then you may graduate from the College with that particular credential at the end of the semester (Spring, Summer, or Fall) in which you complete your final academic requirements, providing you have no outstanding balances or disciplinary issues with the College.

Commencement is a ceremony wherein we celebrate students’ academic accomplishments. This ceremony happens once a year in May. Students who have graduated with a degree or diploma within the past academic year or who will do so within the upcoming summer semester are eligible to participate in the College’s commencement exercises.

Each student must pay a $35 diploma fee for each degree, diploma, or certificate for which they are applying.

There is no cost directly associated with participating in the commencement ceremonies, but there are related costs (graduation application and cap and gown purchase/rental).

NEED COPY

NEED COPY

Children three years of age and younger, and who will sit on a person’s lap, do not need a ticket. All other children will need a ticket to enter the arena

Doors will open 1 hour prior to the start of the ceremony for both graduates and guests.

The ceremony will take approximately 1-1.5 hours. Please keep in mind that traffic may be heavy while exiting campus. Backpacks, umbrellas, and balloons are not permitted.

No, CVCC’s commencement ceremonies at the Tarlton Complex will not be live-streamed.

Strollers are not allowed in the arena. However, they can be checked in the lobby before entering the ceremony.

Students will only cross the stage once. The commencement program will list all of your credentials.

Parking on campus is free; guests will be directed to the closest available parking when they arrive on campus.

Yes, all students participating in commencement exercises must wear a black cap and gown appropriate to the occasion. Students order regalia through the CVCC Campus Store. 

ADA guest seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact [email protected] for further assistance. 

Need specific details

Students do not receive their official diploma on the day of the commencement ceremony. Whether you plan to participate in the commencement ceremonies or not, all eligible students who have applied for graduation will receive instructions emailed to their CVCC student email inbox that will detail the steps necessary to receive their diploma.

Approximately 2-4 weeks after the end of each term, once all final grades have been verified and the final review of all graduation requirements is complete, students will receive an email from Parchment to their CVCC student email account.  The email from Parchment will contain a link to their digital diploma.  The digital diploma can be downloaded and shared to various social media platforms.  Students will have 72 hours upon receipt of the email to verify their mailing address.  Then, within 7-10 business days, Parchment will mail out the paper diploma to the address on file.

Each graduate will have a commencement program at their seat. For guests, programs will be passed out when they enter the arena.

The High Honors and Honors designation is based on the cumulative GPA at the end of the fall term prior to commencement.  Your cumulative GPA can be found in your My CVCC Portal.  High Honors is awarded to students earning a 3.800 – 4.000 cumulative GPA.  Honors is awarded to students earning a 3.500 – 3.799 cumulative GPA.  The honors package is the same for both designations and can be purchased through the campus store.  If your designations changes after the spring/summer term, the appropriate designation will be listed on your official diploma.