Graduation Requirements - official details in college catalog

1. Apply to graduate

Submit an application for graduation by the deadline.

2. Catalog determination & degree designation

• The catalog used to determine graduation requirements is the one in effect at the time you are admitted to a curriculum, or any subsequent catalog selected that is not more than six years old.
  (catalog archives).
• Only the degree major will appear on the diploma.
  The degree major and specialization, if any, will appear on the permanent record.

3. Computer Competency - more

• Students who intend to complete a curriculum in excess of 45 semester credit hours must demonstrate competency in:
  • word processing
  • spreadsheet
  • database management
  • network information resources (Internet)
  • telecommunications software (e-mail).

4. Meet specific program requirements

• Fulfill the requirements of your specific program by the end of the semester/term in which you have applied.
• Contact your campus Counseling Center or Student Development Office for information on the ways in which you may fulfill these requirements.
• Students with disabilities that may be related to achieving and documenting computer competencies should contact the Disability Services representative at their home campus.

5. Outcomes assessment

You may be required to:

• take tests or
• complete a survey

Assessment is designed to measure achievement in general education or selected major areas prior to graduation, for the purpose of evaluating the college's academic programs.

No minimum score or level of achievement is required for graduation.

Test results will remain confidential and will be used for the sole purpose of improving the college's programs.

6. Degree and Certificate requirements summary

To be eligible for graduation with a diploma from the college, you must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Fulfill all of the course and credit hour requirements of the diploma curriculum, with a minimum of 25 percent of the credit hours earned in course work taken at TCC.
2. 2.0 in-plan minimum GPA
   Earn a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all studies completed which are applicable toward graduation in the curriculum.
3. Students who have fulfilled the requirements for AA, AS, AAS, diploma, and one-year certificate programs are eligible for graduation with honors, based on the cumulative grade point averages listed below. Honors are not awarded for career studies certificates.
   
   

   3.2 Cum laude with honor
   3.5 Magna cum laude with high honor
   3.8 Summa cum laude with highest honor
   
   

4. Complete one course designated "international."
   (Applies to AA and AS graduates only.)
5. Submit an application for graduation by the deadline.
    Note that you must fulfill the requirements of the certificate or degree by the end of the semester/term in which you have applied.
   Students lacking in any area must reapply for consideration during a future term. 
6. Satisfy computer competency requirements.
7. No outstanding debts to college -
   Resolve all financial obligations to the college and return all learning resources and other college materials.
8. Be certified by appropriate college officials for graduation.
9. Residency requirement
10. Any other requirements specified in the College Catalog.

7. Second Degree, Diploma, or Certificate

In awarding you an additional certificate, diploma, degree, or career studies certificate, the college may grant credit for all previously completed applicable courses which are requirements of the additional degree, certificate, diploma, or career studies certificate.  However, the awards must differ from one another by at least 25% of the credits. 

8.  Multiple Specializations

The completion of multiple specializations within a single degree does not constitute the completion of multiple degrees.  For example, a student graduating with an AAS in Paralegal Studies with specializations in General Practice and Litigation will only receive one degree.  A student seeking multiple specializations, however, must still submit graduation applications for each specialization if they wish to see both specializations on their official academic record.  Or, if a specialization is available as a career studies certificate and requirements have been met, the student should instead apply for a career studies certificate.  In this case, the student would receive two diplomas--one for the AAS with a specialization and the other for a Career Studies Certificate. Both designations would then appear on the academic record. 

Diplomas

• Diplomas are ordered by the Central Records Office. 
• Every attempt is made to insure that the wording of the student's name on the diploma is ordered exactly as an applicant indicates on the graduation application. Thus, it is of critical importance that applicants are careful when responding to this item on the graduation application. 
• In most cases, diplomas are mailed to the address of record in SIS approximately
  four to six weeks following degree conferral.