One Commencement ceremony is held each year in May. All those who fulfill degree/certificate qualifications throughout the year will be invited to participate in the ceremony. Commencement is the official ceremony in which the college President confers degrees upon students who have fulfilled their requirements.
To be eligible to march at commencement and take part in the ceremony, you must meet the following criteria:
- apply and pay the appropriate fees, AND
- have completed all requirements for your degree/certificate, OR
- be enrolled in course work that will be completed on or before the end of the Summer 1 session.
Students applying for graduation must see an advisor to obtain the Application for Graduation, and assistance with completing the degree/certificate program check sheet indicated on your Application. Submit completed Application and Check Sheet(s) to the Registration and Records Office after the Business Services Office has processed the appropriate fees.
The following information is important and necessary for us to process your application:
- SMCC Catalog Year.
- Degree Pathway (Major).
- Certificate Program.
- Previous college/universities attended (official transcripts must be on file).
Status notifications are sent to graduation applicant after each evaluation is completed, when application is initially submitted and after grades for semester in progress are processed.
GRADUATION REGALIA
(cap/gown and announcements)
Notification regarding commencement is sent out in April to all degree graduates and degree candidates for graduation. Please review this notification carefully and respond accordingly. Instructions for cap/gown pick-up as well as graduation announcements will also be explained in this notification.
VALEDICTORIAN
Each year those students who have achieved high excellence may be eligible to be designated a class valedictorian. The following criteria is used for valedictorian recognition at South Mountain Community College:
- must have a completed all or most credit hours earned at South Mountain Community College
- must have a cumulative grade point average of 4.000 in all course work at South Mountain Community College
- must have a graduating grade point average of 4.0000
- all debts to all Maricopa Colleges must be cleared before a degree or certificate may be awarded.
- if degree/certificate requirements are not completed, you will need to apply again and pay the appropriate fees (after one year).
- additional graduation requirements can be found in the SMCC College Catalog.