Graduation vs Commencement
Students who will complete requirements for a degree in a given semester must apply to graduate. “Applying to graduate” means you want your degree conferred and officially recorded on your academic transcript. Applying to graduate does not mean you are committing to participate in commencement, the graduation ceremony held in May, however you may select that as an option on the application.
If you apply to graduate (receive your degree) in August, December, January or May, you are automatically eligible to participate in the May graduation ceremony. You do not need to make a separate application to participate.
GRADUATION DATES AND APPLICATION DEADLINES
Fall 2024
| June 3 - Dec 1
| January 2025
| December 13, 2024
| March 2025
|
Winter 2025
| Oct 14 - Jan 3
| February 2025
| January 14, 2025
| April 2025
|
Spring 2025*
| Oct 14 - Apr 25
| July 2025
| May 8, 2025
| August 2025
|
Summer 2025 (early)
| Feb 17 - May 30
| August 2025
| July 3, 2025
| September 2025
|
Summer 2025 (late)
| Feb 17 - Aug 22
| September 2025
| August 27, 2025
| November 2025
|
*Students who wish to be considered for the President's Award Recognition must have their application for graduation submitted by March 7, 2025.
HOW DO I APPLY TO GRADUATE?
Students wishing to apply for graduation can do so by logging into the RCSJ Portal. Once there, you should be on the My Campus page. If not, please click the three horizontal lines on the top left corner of the page and select, "MyCampus." Then scroll the page until you see the heading labeled, "Graduation Tools" and click the link labeled, "Apply to Graduate."
HOW DO I ACKNOWLEDGE MY PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT?
When you apply to graduate, you will be prompted to identify if you will participate in the May Commencement Ceremony. Although participation in the Commencement Ceremony is not required to confer your degree and receive your diploma, it is highly encouraged.
HOW IS IT DETERMINED THAT I SATISFIED ALL MY DEGREE REQUIREMENTS?
The Office of Academic Advisement will review each application that is submitted and evaluate the students’ transcripts to ensure that all obligations have been met which includes the total number of earned credits, the correct number of institutional credits, GPA, and course completion. Aside from meeting all the academic requirements, students must not have any holds on their account and ensure that all financial obligations have been met, including the graduation fee. The Director of Academic Advisement will notify students via their RCSJ email the outcome of their application once it is reviewed.
WHAT IS A GRADUATION FEE?
Once your Application to Graduate is completed a $65 graduation fee will be applied to your account. This fee will cover the costs of processing and ordering your diploma. Students who do not pay this fee will not receive their diploma, nor be able to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Students earning a Certificate of Achievement (COA) will not incur a Graduation Fee.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY DIPLOMA?
Dates to pick up your diploma will be available on the RCSJ website and are listed on the other side of this document. Diplomas that are not picked-up by the announced dates will be mailed to the mailing address on file.
COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION
HONORS REGALIA
Students who are graduating with honors should contact their designated representative if they are interested in purchasing commencement regalia.
Phi Theta Kappa Advisors:
Shawn Rutter & Alejandra Valencia
| Business Honor Society Advisor: Danielle Morganti & Irena Skot
|
Paralegal Honor Society Advisor: Lucy McClain
| Mathematics Honor Society Advisor:
Greg Buthusiem
|
National Society of Leadership and Success Advisor: Lucy McClain
|
|
TIPS AND HELPFUL HINTS
Students are encouraged to use the Degree Evaluation tool in the RCSJ portal to assist them in determining the completion of their degree. It is suggested that all students work closely with their assigned Academic Advisor to determine eligibility for degree completion. Students who are receiving multiple degrees or certificates must complete an application to graduate for each degree that is sought. High school students can not be awarded a degree until after their high school diploma is earned.
QUESTIONS?
All questions and concerns regarding graduation should be sent to [email protected]. You may also visit the Office of Academic Advisement at rcsj.edu/gc/advisement for additional information and/or to make an appointment with your Academic Advisor.
