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Graduation

Home/Graduation
Graduation 2024-04-23T14:35:00+00:00

Graduation

Graduation vs. Commencement

Graduation

Graduation is the act of receiving your degree, certificate or diploma after you have finished all course requirements. You must apply to graduate when you are close to finishing your program of study in order to receive your degree, certificate or high school diploma.

Commencement

Commencement is the ceremony held each June to honor all of that year’s graduates. Participation in Commencement is not required to receive your degree, certificate, high school diploma or GED.

 

When to Apply for Graduation

Apply when you are registered in your final quarter of classes.

  • For Spring quarter, the application will open in ctcLink on February 5, 2024, and close on May 24, 2024.
  • For Summer quarter, the application will open in ctcLink on May 9, 2024, and close on August 5, 2024.
  • For Fall quarter, the application will open in ctcLink on May 9, 2024, and close on November 15, 2024.

Academic Advisement Report (AAR)

We use Academic Advisement Report (AAR) to check how close to completion you are and you can too! We will send your application back to you with a recommendation to see your advisor if you apply too early. The Department Coordinators for your program will approve your applications when you have met the requirements.

Review your ctcLink account to ensure you are in the correct Program of Study for degree posting. Review your active Program Plans in ctcLink by selecting Student Homepage > Academic Records > My Program.  If you do not see your Program Plan listed, please complete the Program of Study Update Request form first before submitting a graduation application.

Steps to Apply to Graduate Via ctcLink Desktop Site

  1. Log into  ctcLink Student Portal – Desktop
  2. Select the Academic Progress tile to display the menu.
  3. Select the Apply for Graduation link to display the Submit an Application for Graduation page.
  4. Select the Apply for Graduation link again to display the Select Program and Degree options.
  5. Then select an Academic Program link to display the Select Graduation Term page.
  6. Select a term from the Expected Graduation Term drop-down menu to display Graduation Instructions.
  7. Then select the Continue button to display the Verify Graduation Data page.
  8. Select the Submit Application button and the Submit Confirmation page will display.

For assistance, you may view a tutorial Canvas module on how to apply for graduation and review your graduation status.

Steps to Apply to Graduate Via ctcLink-Mobile Site

  1. Select Highline College from the Pick Your College list.
  2. Log into ctcLink Student Portal – Mobile
  3. Select the Menu icon.
  4. Scroll down on the left and select the Academics option
  5. Select Apply for/View Graduation option.
  6. Select the Term you are applying for for example, Winter 2022
  7. Select the Continue button
  8. When asked if you are sure you want to apply for graduation, select the Yes button.
  9. Your status will show Applied for Graduation

For assistance, you may view step-by-step instructions on how to apply for graduation.

More Information about Graduation

Graduate with Honors

To earn graduation with honors, your cumulative GPA must be 3.50 or higher at the time your last course requirement is completed.

Receive Degree, Certificate or Diploma

Once requirements have been met:

  • Your degree, certificate or diploma will be entered on your transcript approximately 8-10 weeks after grades for your final quarter have been posted.
  • Your paper degree, certificate or diploma will be mailed to you within 8-10 weeks of being entered on your transcript. The graduation application fee for a degree or high school diploma must be paid prior to the mailing of your paper copy.
  • If you need proof of your degree for a job application or entrance to another college, you may order an official transcript. Be sure to select the “after-degree posts” option when ordering.

Request Copy of Diploma or Certificate

Use this Diploma/Certificate re-order form (PDF). Follow the instructions on the form.

Graduation Evaluations, what if I Disagree?

Use this Graduation Review Board Appeal form (PDF) to appeal a graduation decision to the college’s Graduation Review Board.

Only use this process if you have:

  1. Already applied to graduate
  2. Have already had a response back from our department saying you are not done with your degree or certificate.
  3. Want to ask for an exception to program requirements in order to complete your degree or certificate.

Do not use this form to reapply if you have taken additional courses since an old graduation application was returned to you. Follow the regular graduation application steps above if you have taken any additional courses.

About the Graduation Appeal Review

Your appeal will be forwarded to a six-member committee made up of the registrar, vice presidents, and instructors. At least four members must vote and a majority vote is required to grant an appeal or waiver. The decision of the Graduation Review Board is final. There is no other method of appeal.

The Graduation Review Board will contact you by your Highline student email with the outcome of the appeal. Please allow 8 weeks for the appeal to be circulated and a decision to be reached.

Graduation for Department Coordinators