Apply to Graduate

Students must apply to graduate. They may apply before finishing requirements, but all program and college requirements must be completed by the end of the applied-for term.

Degrees and Certificates

Step 1: Review ctcLink to ensure you are in the correct Program Plan for degree/certificate awarding. Find your active Program in ctcLink by selecting Student Homepage --> Academic records--> My Program.  If you are not in the correct program plan please meet with your Advisor to correct it before submitting a graduation application.

Step 2:  TRANSFER STUDENTS ONLY: Review your Transfer Credit Report in ctcLink if you have transfer credit from a different institution. Student Homepage -->Academic Records--> View Transfer Credit Report. Only Official Transcripts can be used to grant credit. If you have not submitted official transcripts, submit them as soon as possible for an official evaluation. Keep in mind milestones are not credit and do not satisfy degree requirements.

Step 3: Ensure you meet your catalog requirements. Your catalog year is listed on your Academic Advisement Report in ctcLink. If you are unsure about a requirement or have questions about a specific requirement, contact your advisor.

Total credit requirement will be met (Example: 90 credits for an Associate in Arts degree)
GPA requirements will be met (2.0 GPA in Program)
25% of the applicable credits for the specific credential must be taken at TCC. (Degrees and Graduation Policy).
All degree and/or certificate requirements will be fulfilled, review your catalog for specific courses.
Review your program plans and/or certificates and work with your advisor to submit any program plan additions. Also submit a discontinue program plan form for any plans that will not be continued or graduated.
Review Academic Advisement Report for any Exceptions, Substitutions or Waivers. Ensure your Academic Advisement Report is complete. Advisors can submit the Degree Progress Update form via the Enrollment Services Hub to submit exceptions.
Decide if you will continue to take classes with TCC after you graduate. If you will continue taking classes at TCC after you graduate, ctcLink requires you have an active program plan. Work with your advisor to submit a program plan addition form for the next program you will declare. We have a Non-degree seeking program plan in addition to the Degrees and Certificates listed in the Academic Catalog.

Step 4: Complete the following steps in ctcLink:

Graduation Application navigate to Student Homepage--> Academic Progress--> Apply for Graduation
Degree Name navigate to Student Homepage-->Profile--> Select the plus sign (+) and the Degree Name  type should appear to allow you to enter your preferred Degree Name.  (Example: Legal name is John Smith, preferred degree name is Jonathan Smith. The final printed Diploma will indicate Jonathan Smith.)
Update Address and Phone Number: Diplomas will be mailed to the address listed in ctcLink. If your contact information is incorrect, please log into your ctcLink Student Homepage-->Profile to update your information. Degrees and Certificates will be awarded after grades are posted. View the Important Dates calendar to find the "Degrees Posted" date for each term. Once awarded, you will receive a secure digital copy and a physical copy at no charge.  Please do not place a separate order for your diploma.

Step 5: STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT EARNED A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ONLY: Students who have not earned their High School Diploma are eligible to receive a TCC High School Diploma upon completion of an eligible degree at TCC. Work with your advisor to request a High School Diploma Plan and complete the High School Diploma Graduation Application. Note: Students who have already received a High School Diploma from their High School are not eligible.

Step 6: Complete the Graduating Student Survey.

Once your Graduation Application has been received, look out for a message in your message center regarding next steps! Note: Paper Applications will continue to be accepted.

Graduation Term Update

If you need to change your graduation term after applying, submit the Graduation Update Notification form to move or withdraw your application. Withdrawing resets your application in ctcLink so you can reapply when ready.

GRADUATION UPDATE NOTIFICATION

View Graduation Status

During the Pre-Evaluation stage, a student's Graduation Status is updated. A student is guaranteed a Graduation Status update by Enrollment Services if they have applied by the priority deadline listed in the Important Dates.

Graduation Application Received	Your application has been submitted. Thank you! You are in line for evaluation.
Unmet Requirements-Contact Advisor	Your evaluation shows unmet requirements. Contact your advisor for further review. Without additional information, your status may be updated to withdrawn at the end of the quarter.
Approved to Graduate-Pending Final Grades	Graduation applications go under a preliminary review. This review is done after enrollment has taken place for the final term. This status indicates that your prior coursework plus successful completion of current classes, will complete your degree requirements.
Withdrawn	Your evaluation shows unmet requirements and has been withdrawn. Please check your grades and your Academic Progress on your Student Homepage. Contact degreeapp@tacomacc.edu or your advisor if you have any questions about your degree requirements.
Degree has been Awarded	Congratulations, your degree/certificate has been awarded! Ensure your address is up to date in ctcLink. View the Important Dates calendar to locate the "Degree Posted" date for each term. This date reflects the day your unofficial transcript will show your credential/s. Expect Diplomas in the mail 4-8 weeks after this date. Commencement is held once a year, and information is released during the Spring quarter.

Pending Final Grades

What is the Difference Between Commencement and Graduation?

Commencement

Commencement is the ceremony that honors graduating students. Commencement refers to the start of something in an academic context, this ceremony signifies you are starting your career and the next phase of your life.

Commencement will not include a Diploma, but instead a Diploma Cover.
Diplomas will be mailed after your Graduation term has completed and final grades have been reviewed.

Students graduating Summer Term may be allowed to participate in commencement prior to completing all of their graduation requirements.
Students invited to Commencement are those who have completed their degree within the Academic Calendar or anticipate being complete. For example: Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 are all invited to attend the Spring 2025 Commencement.

Commencement Information

Graduation

Graduation is the term in which Enrollment Services confers degrees and certificates. Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on the official transcript.

Graduation refers to the term students have earned the required number of credits for their credential
Taken all the necessary courses for their credential
Completed all requirements for the credential and it has posted to the Official Transcript
Diplomas are mailed after a students Graduation Term
A Graduation Term can be Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer term.

Summer Graduate and Attending Commencement

Students who have applied to Graduate for the Summer term are invited to the Spring Commencement Ceremony. For summer grads, to be invited to the Spring commencement a student must apply to graduate by the Summer Graduation Priority Deadline listed on the Important Dates. Applying early ensures the Summer graduate is included in the Commencement Program.

Degree Name

The name printed on the Commencement Program and the Digital and mailed Diploma. Is based on the Degree Name listed in ctcLink. Navigate to Student Homepage-->Profile--> Select the plus sign (+) and the Degree Name  type should appear to allow you to enter your Degree Name.

Questions?

For questions about graduation applications, contact degreeapp@tacomacc.edu.

Diplomas

Diplomas for degrees and certificates are awarded once final grades have posted and a final graduation evaluation confirms all requirements have been satisfied. Diplomas are mailed to graduates 4-6 weeks after the end of the quarter in which they graduate.

Additional Diploma Information