A close up a student wearing a blue grad cap from behind. The cap is adorned with flowers and gold ornaments, and reads "She believed she could so she did"

Commencement: June 20, 2026

Graduating? Let's Celebrate!

Grad Fair

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

10 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Building 11 | TCC Campus

One-stop shop for caps, gowns, cords and more!

Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, June 20, 2026 | RSVP deadline: May 1

Building 20 | TCC Campus

Celebrate your achievement with us, family and friends!

Commencement Ceremonies

TCC will hold two ceremonies on June 20. Degree and certificate programs have been assigned to either the morning or the afternoon ceremony. Click below to find out which ceremony you will walk in!

RSVP to walk at Commencement by May 1

Creative Arts, Literature & Communication

Associate in Music

Associate in Arts with Specialization in:
- Music
- Art
- Communication Studies
- Literature
- Spanish
- World Languages
- Writing Studies
Education, Social & Behavioral Sciences

Associate in Arts with Specialization in:
- Anthropology
- History
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
General Studies

Associate in Arts

Associate in General Studies

High School Diploma

Science, Engineering & Mathematics

Associate in Computer Science

Associate in Science in Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering

Associate in Science in Civil and Mechanical Engineering

Associate in Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Associate in Science in Materials Science and Manufacturing Engineering

Associate in Biology

Associate in Science with Specialization in:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Environmental Sciences
- Astronomy
- Physics
- Atmospheric Science
- Computer Engineering
Associate in Arts with Specialization in:
- Mathematics
Associate in Science (no specialization)

Posthumous Degree
Business, Paralegal & Technology

Bachelor of Applied Science
- Health Information Management
- Applied Management
- Advanced Networking and Data Security
Associate in Applied Science
- Accounting
- Business
- Health Information Technology
- Networking & Cyber Security
- Paralegal
Associate in Business

Certificates:
- Accounting Office Associate
- Assistant Bookkeeping Clerk
- Bookkeeping Systems
- Computerized Accounting
- Customer Service
- Entrepreneurship
- Global Transportation and Secure Logistics
- Health Information Associate
- Health Records
- Help Desk
- Human Resource Management
- Human Resource Specialist
- Management
- Marketing
- Medical Billing
- Medical Scribe
- Paralegal Professional
- Tax Preparation
- Technical Support
Science, Engineering & Mathematics

Associate in Arts in Pre-Nursing

Healthcare

Bachelor of Applied Science
- Community Health
Associate in Applied Science
- Allied Health
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Emergency Medical and Health Services
- Radiologic Science
- Respiratory Therapy
Associate in Nursing

Certificates:
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Global Health and Cultural Competency
- Nursing Assistant Certificate
- Paramedic
Education, Social & Behavioral Sciences

Associate in Applied Science
- Early Childhood Education
- Human Services
Certificates:
- Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate
- Early Childhood Short Certificate
- Early Childhood Education State Certificate
- Human Services Case Aide
- Substance Use Disorder Professional Education

Guest Tickets

Answers to your questions about Commencement tickets.

- Graduates are guaranteed up to 6 guest tickets.
- Graduates can request the number of guaranteed tickets they want (up to 6) on the rsvp form.
- Graduates do not need tickets for themselves if walking in the ceremony.
- By May 27, 2026 graduates will receive an email with their tickets.
- Tickets are electronic and will be emailed to grads from hometown tickets, sender address: tacomaboxoffice@hometownticketing.
- The subject line will say: your receipt and tickets for TCC commencement.
- Graduates can print or email/text tickets to their guests (free printing is available in the Building 11 Collaboratory).
- Graduates will be emailed by May 27, 2026 with information about whether additional tickets (beyond the 6 per grad) are available and how to request them.
- Children of any age will require a ticket if they sit in their own seat. Small children, i.e. infants, who will be held on another ticket holder’s lap, do not require a ticket.
- If tickets are lost, a replacement can be requested at the will-call booth in Building 20 on day of the ceremony, June 20.

Day of Ceremonies: Information for Guests

How to have a great Commencement experience

- Doors open 1 hour prior to each ceremony.
- Please give yourself plenty of time to park, make your way to Building 20, and find a seat before the ceremony starts.
- Yes. Please bring your electronic or paper ticket.
- Additional ADA parking in Lot L.
- ADA seating.
- ASL interpreters.
- Event live-captioning.
- Event livestreaming at tacomacc.edu.
- For additional accommodation requests, please email commencement@tacomacc.edu.
- A check-in area is available. Please check strollers and other large items.
- Ushers will guide you to your seat. Please follow their directions.
- Please let ushers know if you require ADA seating or other accommodations.
Please do not bring large, loud, or distracting items into the gym. We ask that you do not bring:
- Balloons
- Bullhorns, air horns, or other noise-makers
- Large signs
- Confetti

Day of Ceremonies: Information for Graduates

How to have a great Commencement experience

10 a.m. ceremony:
- Graduates must be there no later than 9 a.m.
- Check in and get ready to walk with your program.
- Doors open for guests at 9 a.m.
3 p.m. ceremony:
- Graduates must be there no later than 2 p.m.
- Check in and get ready to walk with your program.
- Doors open for guests at 2 p.m.
- All graduates will wear a cap, gown, and tassel.
- For graduates of most programs, caps and gowns are blue.
- For graduates of TCC Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) programs, caps and gowns are black.
- Students involved in certain programs or honor societies, and students receiving academic honors may receive stoles and cords to wear during a Commencement ceremony.
- You may decorate your cap and wear additional cultural regalia as relevant.
- The gold tassel attaches to the top of your cap.
- The tassel starts out on the right side of your cap, symbolizing your status as a candidate for graduation.
- During the ceremony, when directed by the Graduation Speaker, move the tassel to the left side, signifying that you have earned your degree.
Cords are the rope-like accessories worn draped around the neck.

Types of cords include: Veterans, PTK, Honors, Music, BAS Program, and more.

Ask your program advisor if you think you may be eligible for a cord.
- Go to the staging area in the auxiliary gym, Building 20.
- Graduates and TCC employees only in this space, please!
- Please check in at the name card tables in the Auxiliary Gym after arriving in Building 20.
- Please leave valuable items with your guests or leave them at home.
- In the auxiliary gym, you will line up with your program. Marshals (staff in robes with "marshal" stoles) will be on hand to assist you.
- Graduates will proceed with the marshals from the auxiliary gym to the main gym. At your seat, you'll find your program.
- The marshals will direct you when to stand, when to line up to cross the stage, and when to exit.
- You may not leave the ceremony early.
- If you need help during the ceremony, flag down a marshal to help you.
- You will receive diploma cover during the Commencement ceremony.
- Check the Important Dates calendar for degree posting dates. Expect Diplomas in the mail 4-8 weeks after this date. Ensure your phone number, email address and mailing address in ctcLink are up to date.

Commencement FAQ's

Graduation occurs when a student officially and successfully completes all of the graduation requirements for a particular degree or certificate.

Commencement is the ceremony that honors graduating students.

find out more about Commencement vs. Graduation
- Purchase ($58.99) or borrow regalia (free, but must return gown). If you are borrowing regalia indicate so on the RSVP form. For any questions on the borrowing program, please email: commencement@tacomacc.edu
  - **When ordering regalia, please add your height/weight in the notes section of the check out/shipping section**
- Pick up your regalia beginning May 27 at Grad Fair or in the Bookstore in Building 11, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- After May 27, pick up regalia in the Bookstore.
- Any regalia not picked up by May 27 at 7 p.m. will be held in Building 20, where you can pick it up before your ceremony.
- Honor cords can be picked up in the Bookstore with regalia (they will have a list of names receiving honors). TCC covers the cost of honor cords.
- Other cords and stoles are distributed through programs. Please check with your program advisor.
- During the Commencement ceremony, only diploma covers will be given.
- Diplomas and certificates will be mailed after grades have posted and Enrollment Services has completed the final review of your degree requirements.
- Expect your diploma in the mail 4-8 weeks after grades have posted for your final term.
- Degrees/certificates for Spring graduates will officially be awarded to their academic record and transcript on July 6.
Honors and High Honors are based on courses being used in the degree. Review your Academic Advisement Report Degree GPA. Please be aware that the GPA listed on your transcript may not match your Degree GPA. This is because the transcript GPA will include all courses taken at TCC, not necessarily just the courses being applied to the degree earned.

Commencement Honors: Honors at Commencement for Spring and Summer graduates are based on credit earned through Winter quarter. Spring and/or Summer grades are not included when calculating honors for Commencement. For Commencement purposes, this is a pre-evaluation of honors and should not be considered final or official.

Graduation Honors: Honors at Graduation is based on all credit earned through your final quarter completing your degree. Graduation Honors is considered final and official and is printed on a Official Transcript.

For additional question please reach out to degreeapp@tacomacc.edu.

more about academic honors
The Building 20 indoor gymnasium will have bleacher and floor seating available on a first come, first served basis.

ADA seating does not need to be requested in advance. Ushers will be on hand to help visitors find accessible seating.
- Yes, you will be able to walk in both ceremonies. Yes, you will be able to get tickets for both programs.
- If interested in walking in both ceremonies please reach out to degreeapp@tacomacc.edu.
- Free photos are available for download at our event photographer's online gallery for 2026 Commencement. Prints are also available for purchase at this site.
- You may get pictures at Grad Fair in Building 11 on May 27 from 10 AM – 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM. Portrait shots and 360 degree video footage are available.
- Photos of graduates with college administration as they cross the stage at the June 20 Commencement will be available for graduates to download.

Definitions

What do the graduation terms we use mean?

Refers to the ceremony that celebrates graduates. Graduates' names are read, and they cross the stage. TCC holds two Commencement ceremonies, typically on the first Saturday after spring quarter finals. All students who have earned credentials to graduate within the academic year are invited to participate in the June Commencement.
An academic degree is a qualification awarded to a student upon successful completion of a course of study.

An Associate Degree requires no fewer than 90 quarter hour credits.

A Bachelor's Degree requires no fewer than 180 quarter hour credits, 60 of which must be upper division.

A Certificate is a credential awarded for completion of competencies and requirements for an occupational program.
An academic record of student grades and achievements.

An unofficial transcript is a copy of the student's academic record accessed by the student for reviewing or checking academic progress.

An official transcript carries the Registrar's signature and the college seal and must be delivered sealed or through secure channels from the sending school to the receiving party.

Important Links

Graduating Student Survey

Please tell us about your TCC experience. Open to all 2026 graduates.

TAKE SURVEY

Congratulate the Class of 2026!

Congratulate our graduates on Kudoboard.

SHARE KUDOS

Meet the Class of 2026!

Congratulations, you did it!

OUR GRADS

Questions?

Got questions about the commencement ceremony or applying to graduate? Drop us a line!

EMAIL US