Graduation & Commencement

Before applying to graduate, you should check your Degree Works worksheet. If any courses in the degree program are marked as “Still Needed”, you must register for the required courses or see your academic advisor for assistance before applying to graduate. You will not be certified for graduation until all degree requirements are either complete or in progress.

Additional Graduation Requirements

• A minimum of 15 academic credits in residency successfully completed at TC3. (These credits must be exclusive of experiential learning or proficiency credits.)
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
• Up to three fitness credits may be applied toward unrestricted elective requirements in any degree program.
• Settlement of all financial or other obligations to the College.

Graduating with Honors

To qualify for honors recognition at graduation, you must have completed at least 30 hours at Tompkins Cortland Community College. Honors will be awarded when you meet the following requirements:

Multiple Degrees

Consistent with the policy of the NYS Department of Education, you can earn more than one degree or certificate at Tompkins Cortland Community College, with some conditions.  

All required courses must be successfully completed for each degree or certificate program.

A minimum of 15 unique credits beyond those required for the first degree must be completed at Tompkins Cortland Community College. Any courses applied to previously earned degrees cannot be counted as part of these additional 15 credits.

If the degrees are to be awarded simultaneously, you should submit a separate application for graduation for each degree and the $20 fee.

If the degrees are not to be awarded simultaneously and enrollment is uninterrupted, you should submit an application for graduation for the first degree. Then, at the beginning of the next semester after the degree has been awarded, a program change form must be filed with the office of Student Success: Advising, Career & Transfer changing from the first degree program to the second degree program. A second application for graduation must also be submitted. There is an additional matriculation fee of $20.

If the degrees are not to be awarded simultaneously and enrollment is interrupted, then you should reapply for admission to the college and indicate the second degree program on the application form. A second application for graduation must also be filed along with the $20 fee.

Note: Multiple degrees will only be awarded for individual degree programs. A student may not receive an additional degree in a degree’s concentration, sequence, or option.

If applicable, all course substitutions, waivers, grade changes, transfer credits, or other documents related to completion of degree requirements must be completed or in process before applying to graduate. 

You must submit a final high school transcript documenting graduation or a high school equivalency diploma (GED) prior to receiving your degree.

You must apply to graduate in the semester prior to completing their program requirements. For instance, if you plan to graduate in May you must apply to graduate by the deadline set in the fall semester. Even if you do not plan to participate in the commencement ceremony, you must still apply to graduate.  In order for applications to be accepted, you must be matriculated in a degree program.

After you submit your application to graduate, the Office of Academic Records will begin a review of degree progress.

You can check the status of your graduation application and degree audit in Degree Works, or on the "Apply to Graduate" link in Self Service. A letter will be sent to you once the official degree audit has been completed by the office of Academic Records.

Applying for graduation is essential. Graduation is not automatic upon degree completion. Every potential graduate must apply to graduate.

Deadlines to Apply

For May Degree Conferral  

• To receive a letter detailing outstanding requirements for degree completion before the beginning of the spring semester: Apply by November 30
• To ensure inclusion in Commencement publications: Apply by March 15
• Final Deadline: April 10 
• Applications submitted after April 10 will be processed for August conferral.

For August Degree Conferral

• To receive a letter detailing outstanding requirements for degree completion before the beginning of the summer semester: Apply by April 30 
• To ensure inclusion in Commencement publications (if eligible to participate): Apply by March 15
• Final Deadline: July 10
• Applications submitted after July 10 will be processed for December conferral.

For December Degree Conferral

• To receive a letter detailing outstanding requirements for degree completion before the beginning of the fall semester: Apply by July 31
• To ensure inclusion in the Graduation Recognition Ceremony: Apply by October 31
• Final Deadline: October 31
• Applications submitted after Nov. 30 will be processed for May conferral.

TC3’s commencement ceremonies are a public celebration of graduation. Students do not receive an official diploma at the ceremonies. The official degree is awarded and posted to transcripts upon final verification that all degree requirements have been completed, within four weeks of the end of the semester. Diplomas are issued approximately six weeks after the end of the semester.

August and December graduates are included in the following May’s Commencement ceremony. There is no August ceremony. December graduates may attend both the December recognition ceremony and the May Commencement ceremony.

No Additional Fees to Graduate

There is no additional charge involved with graduation or commencement. The matriculation fee is applied to the bill the first semester you enroll in classes. This fee covers graduation and commencement expenses. The exception is that there is an additional matriculation fee of $20 for completing a second degree.

Financial Holds do not Prevent Graduation

A financial hold on your account does not prevent graduation. You should still apply to graduate. You will be able to participate in commencement and your degree will be granted (if degree requirements are complete). However, neither the diploma nor official transcripts will be released until the hold is cleared. You must notify the office of Academic Records when the hold is cleared.