Page 62 - Southwestern Community College Handbook 2019-2020

A CACDAE MD EI CM INCFIONRFMORATMIOATNION
GRADUATION APPLICATION AND COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Commencement exercises are held at the end of the spring and fall semesters for all students who are candidates for degrees, diplomas or certificates. Students should apply between the first and 50th class day of the semester in which they expect to complete their program. Applications will not be accepted after the announced deadline.
Application steps are as follows:
1. For each major, obtain an Application for Graduation from the Registrar’s Office or
academic advisor.
2. Complete the candidates section of the application.
3. Take the application to your advisor for degree evaluation.
4. Place order for your cap and gown online and pay all debts owed to the College at the
Business office.
5. Submit application to the Registrar’s office for final approval prior to the announced deadline.
6. All applicants must have completed all requirements by the end of the spring or fall
semester if they plan to participant in commencement ceremonies. Refer to college calendar for due dates.
If the student is qualified, the Registrar orders credentials and mails them to the
student 6-8 weeks after graduation. Those who apply and do not qualify must reapply after deficiencies are completed. Credentials will not be ordered and held for students to complete requirements in a subsequent semester.
A student must maintain a program GPA of 2.00 in order to graduate. Some health science programs have additional graduation requirements as defined by those programs.
NOTE: Students enrolled in a course(s) required for graduation at another college, must submit a copy of the registration form to the Registrar.
Students who maintain a perfect 4.0 cumulative shall receive “high honors” recognition.
Graduating with Honors
1. During the final week of the semester, the Registrar will rank the candidates for associate’s degrees or diplomas according to their program GPA from the previous semesters of work. Each program GPA will be rounded to two decimal places.
2. Each candidate with a program GPA from 3.90 to 4.00 will graduate summa cum laude.
3. Each candidate with a program GPA from 3.70 to 3.89 will graduate magna cum laude.
4. Each candidate with a program GPA from 3.50 to 3.69 will graduate cum laude.
5. When the selections have been determined by the Registrar, the instructors of those selected will be contacted to determine whether the candidate is maintaining the same quality of work during the final semester as during the previous semesters.
6. Candidates who are failing or doing poor work in the final semester will be excluded from the list when the Registrar receives written notice from the instructors.
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