Applying for Graduation
Students may complete graduation requirements anytime during a term; however, the graduation verification does not begin until the last day of full-term classes or the last day of classes for the summer intersession. The officially recognized graduation date that is posted on the student’s academic record (transcript) is the last date of full-term/Summer Intersession classes for the term as listed in the Pueblo Community College Academic Calendar. Graduates should anticipate a three to four week delay following the end of a term before their graduation status is verified and posted on the college transcript and diplomas are mailed.

There is one formal graduation ceremony for all three terms which is held once each year in the spring semester. Please refer to the Commencement Ceremony section for more information.

To be considered a candidate for graduation, a student must complete the following steps:

• Verify that the major, and option or area of concentration where appropriate, are listed correctly as the Current Academic Program on the transcript. If not, the student should file a Change of Major form with Admissions & Records;
• Verify that transfer and Prior Learning credit have been posted on the transcript;
• Verify with advisor that previously requested course substitutions and/or waivers have been approved and posted to the student’s record;
• Schedule an appointment with the advisor to complete a Graduation Planning Sheet. The plan should be an ongoing process; however, it should be finalized by the deadline date the semester before graduation.

Graduation Application Deadline: Spring - January 29, 2008 

Planning sheets submitted after the deadline date will be placed in the next term’s graduation file. Print the Graduation Planning Sheet now (PDF file)

Once the student has completed the Graduation Planning Sheet, it is the student’s responsibility to notify his/her advisor immediately of any changes to the plan. The student and advisor will complete the Request for Modification Form available from the advisor or the Office of Admissions & Records. Planning sheets can be rolled forward one time upon written request from the student or advisor. Thereafter, a new planning sheet must be completed.

If you have any questions regarding your status as a candidate for graduation, please contact Marilyn Stodola at 719.549.3017

Graduation Requirements

Associate Degree Requirements
All candidates for associate degrees must meet the following requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit.
• Complete all program requirements for the associate degree.
• Complete a minimum of 15 graded credits at PCC in a program area.
• Satisfactorily complete all general education requirements.
• Achieve a cumulative grade-point average of 2.000.
• Be classified as a degree-seeking student.
• Meet all financial obligations.

Candidates for a degree must complete the Graduation Planning Sheet with the assistance of their advisor. The advisor will obtain the department chair’s signature and forward it to the Records Office by the deadline date the semester before graduation. Candidates must notify their advisors of any changes made after the Graduation Planning Sheet has been submitted, and a Modification Form must be completed. Failure to complete this process may delay graduation.

Top

Certificate Requirements
All candidates for PCC certificate programs must meet the following requirements:

• Complete the minimum semester hours of credit in approved certificate program.
• Complete a minimum of 15 graded credits at PCC in a program area.
• Meet the PCC minimum assessment scores in reading, English, and mathematics or successfully complete the prescribed remediation.
• Achieve a GPA of 2.000 or higher for all certificate courses.
• Be classified as a certificate-seeking student.
• Meet all financial obligations.

Candidates for the certificate must complete the Graduation Planning Sheet with the assistance of their advisor. The advisor will obtain the department chair’s signature and forward it to the Records Office by the deadline date the semester before graduation. Candidates must notify their advisors of any changes made after the Graduation Planning Sheet has been submitted, and a Modification Form must be completed. Failure to complete this process may delay graduation.

Top

Grade Requirements
All courses, unless otherwise noted, which comprise the major of a certificate or a degree, must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Major and related courses completed with a "D" fulfill prerequisite requirements for continuing in the program, but major courses must be completed at a "C" level prior to graduation. Courses fulfilling general education areas of instruction will meet minimal standards with a D grade*; however, the overall grade-point average of all courses within a certificate program must meet a 2.000 GPA. For the associate degrees all courses attempted must meet a collective 2.000 GPA unless excluded by course repeat policies.

Top

Graduation With Honors
Fall degree graduates and spring and summer potential degree graduates who have maintained high academic standards and who have met the following requirements at the completion of the fall semester prior to the Commencement Ceremony will be recognized at the commencement ceremony.

• Summa cum laude: Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.000*
• Magna cum laude: Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.750–3.999*
• Cum laude: Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.500-3.749*

In order to be recognized, a student must earn at least 15 graded credits at PCC.

Top

Commencement Ceremony
A formal graduation ceremony is held once each year in the spring semester. Students are eligible to participate in Commencement if they:

• Are graduation candidates in a degree program,
• Are graduation candidates in a certificate program that requires, at a minimum, 16 semester credit hours,
• Are graduation candidates for the spring semester
• Graduated the preceding fall semester,
• Will be graduating at the end of the following summer session.

Top

The Ceremony
A formal graduation ceremony is held at the conclusion of each Spring semester. Candidates for graduation include both Certificate and Associate Degree seeking students. Commencement is held at the Colorado State Fair Events Center with administrators, faculty, and professional staff participating in academic regalia. Students who attend the Pueblo Campus and the Fremont Campus usually attend the Pueblo Campus graduation ceremony. A separate graduation ceremony is held at the Southwest Campus where administrators, faculty, and professional staff participate in academic regalia.

The College traditionally recognizes graduates who have achieved a cumulative 4.0 GPA. The commencement speaker is often a nationally-recognized individual. Each graduate’s name, degree, program, honors, and distinction is announced as the graduates receive their diplomas.

If you have any questions regarding the graduation ceremony, Pueblo and Fremont students should contact Shirley Carey at 719.549.3080. Southwest Center students should contact Beverly Cattles at 970.565-7496 or Jill Carithers at 970.247.2929.

Preparing for the Ceremony

Graduation Mailings
As a candidate for graduation, you will receive an initial mailing informing you of your status as a graduate candidate. This mailing will include a verification card for you to verify the spelling of your name, your degree or certificate, and a section for you to tell us whether or not you will attend the graduation ceremony.

If you indicate that you will attend the ceremony, we will then send you further information regarding the ceremony.

*The dates above are approximate. Please wait a week after the dates listed above to contact us if you did not receive a mailing.

If you do not receive a mailing, please call Marilyn Stodola at 719.549.3017 to confirm your status as a graduation candidate.

Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns can be purchased from the PCC Bookstore beginning on April 9th. Authorization cards will be required in order to purchase a cap and gown. These cards will be mailed to graduation candidates in early April.

Recognition for graduating with honors:

Summa cum laude (Cumulative GPA 4.000)
Magna cum laude (Cumulative GPA 3.750 to 3.999)
Cum laude (Cumulative GPA 3.500 to 3.749)

Honors is determined, for ceremony purposes only, by your cumulative GPA at the completion of the Fall 2007 semester. If you achieve a GPA in the ranges listed above during the 2008 Spring or Summer semester, the appropriate honors designation will appear on your transcript but will not be noted in the graduation program and you will not be authorized to wear the honor stole. Distinction and honors stoles can be purchased from the PCC Bookstore at the time that you purchase your cap and gown.

**Caps, gowns, and stoles will not be available the evening of the ceremony. Purchase of these items must be made prior to the ceremony.**

Graduation Photographs
PCC has made arrangements to have a photographer from Chappell Graduation Images at the ceremony to take a candid photograph of you at your special moment of recognition. You will receive a free proof of this photo in the mail within two weeks following the ceremony. Since professional photographs will be available, family members and guests are encouraged to remain in their seats, relax and enjoy the ceremony. Guests will not be allowed to approach the stage area for picture-taking during the ceremony.

Graduation Announcements
Announcements may be ordered from CB Announcements. Cost will depend on the package you select. Please visit http://www.cbgrad.com/ for more information.

Guest Information
The ceremony is held at the Colorado State Fair Events Center. This facility provides ample parking and seating for guests. There will be general and reserved seating available. Reserved seating is made available for guests who are unable to climb up and down the bleacher-style seating available throughout the Events Center. Graduation candidates will be given more information regarding reserved seating in the April mailing.

Top