Application for Graduation

Click Here to Download.  Spring and summer graduation candidates should apply for graduation no later than March 31.  Applications will be accepted after the March 31 date, but these applicants will not be eligible for consideration for academic awards for that graduating class.  Fall graduation candidates should submit application for graduation by November 13.  This application will initiate action toward a complete transcript evaluation to determine eligibility for graduation. Graduation exercises are held at the close of the spring semester. Attendance is required of all graduates.

An application to be excused from graduation is available in the Registrar’s Office and must be approved by the Vice President for Instructional Services. Graduation fees are to be paid in the Business Office at the time of application.

Degree Awards

Graduation with an associate degree from RCC requires a student to have completed at least 64 hours with an overall GPA of 2.0. While a student may earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 which includes one or more grades of "D", it is wise to remember that grades below "C" may not fulfill graduation requirements in some programs.

For the associate degree, a student must complete the last 15 hours in residency at RCC. Correspondence classes and credit by examination may not be used toward the resident credit hour requirement. No more than one-half of the work required for any degree or certificate may be taken by correspondence and credit by examination.

Summer graduation candidates may participate in the spring graduation ceremonies if they need nine hours or less to complete graduation requirements.  The required hours needed to complete graduation requirements must be taken during the summer term.  Graduation candidates who need more than nine hours to finish degree requirements will need to apply as a December graduate.

The diploma will be presented following the successful completion of the required course work and the clearing of all obligations at the institution.

Additional Degrees

An additional degree for a different program may be earned by accumulating an additional 15 credit hours in residence at RCC, above those submitted for the first degree. A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be attained on the 15 appropriate additional hours submitted. The specific degree and program requirements for the second degree must be successfully completed.

Advanced standing credits may not be used for the additional degree hours. For certificates, a minimum additional six credit hours will be required.

Program Degree Procedures

Degree seeking students should follow the course requirement pattern for the program academic area selected as outlined in the catalog in effect at the time of entry. The program requirements remain in effect as long as continued uninterrupted enrollment is maintained, with the exception of summer terms.

A readmitted student must follow a program plan specified by the current academic year catalog. A student needing assistance in planning a program of study should request the assistance of personnel in the Student Services Center. Any substitution of course requirements listed for the associate degree must be recommended by the division director and approved by the Vice President for Instructional Services. The course substitution document must be filed in the Registrar's Office. A student has the option of meeting new degree requirements adopted since the date of enrollment.

Commencement Procedure

At least one semester before they plan to complete their degree requirements, students should begin the commencement procedure as follows:

1. Final official transcripts from all schools attended and ACT scores must be on file at RCC before an official program plan can be prepared.

2. A final check of the program and an application plan for graduation should take place in the Registrar's Office before the time of enrollment for the last semester of attendance.

3. Once grades are recorded for the final semester of enrollment, a final review will take place and students contacted as to their status.

Formal commencement will be scheduled at the end of the spring semester of each academic year. Students meeting requirements at the end of any semester should arrange to participate in the graduation ceremonies, unless a written request for graduation in absentia is submitted to the Registrar and approved by the Vice President for Instructional Services.

Commencement Honors

Students who have completed at least 64 semester hours prior to commencement are eligible for consideration for the following honors:

Summa Cum Laude 3.75 - 4.00 overall GPA

Magna Cum Laude 3.50 - 3.74 overall GPA

Cum Laude 3.25 - 3.49 overall GPA