Skip to main content

Graduation Requirements

Graduating from college takes determination and focus – and thousands of JCCC students achieve that goal every semester.

In order to graduate from JCCC, you must meet the requirements of the degree and/or certificate you’re seeking.

Check Graduation Eligibility

There are a couple of ways you can determine if you’ve met all the graduation requirements

As soon as you’ve completed all the requirements, you can apply to graduate in summer, fall or spring. 

Applying to graduate is not the same as attending the Commencement Ceremony. 

  • Associate Degree - For an associate degree, 15 credit hours must be earned at JCCC. Advanced standing credits will not count toward satisfying this credit hour requirement.
  • Associate of Arts, Associate of Science and Associate of Fine Arts Degrees - For the associate of arts, associate of science and associate of fine arts degrees, a student must complete an approved cultural diversity course.
  • Certificates - For certificates, a student must complete a minimum of 50% of the required course work at JCCC.
  • Grade Point Average - Graduates must have earned a 2.0 grade point average at JCCC.
  • Developmental Courses - Developmental courses will not count toward fulfilling graduation degree/certificate requirements.
  • Enrollment Requirement - Students must have completed coursework at JCCC within 3 years of the semester in which they wish to graduate.
  • When we receive your application for graduation in the Records office, we will complete an initial verification to ensure degree and/or certificate requirements will be satisfied.
  • You will receive an email with the results of the initial verification.
  • Your degree and/or certificate status will be recorded on your permanent transcript once grades have been posted and a final verification is done to ensure that all graduation requirements have been completed.

 

Rules to Determine Catalog of Record for Graduation

  • The catalog in effect for the term a student is admitted to the college is assigned as the student’s “catalog of record.” Students will follow the program requirements specified in their catalog of record to progress toward graduation.
  • Students who later change to a new major or change from non-degree-seeking status to a declared major will follow the catalog in effect at the time of the change.
  • Students who are continuously enrolled at JCCC will maintain their catalog of record.  Semesters that are completed with grades (other than a “W”) will be counted for the purpose of continuous enrollment.   Students who miss three consecutive semesters (includes summers) will follow the catalog in effect at the time of re-entry.
  • Students may select a more current catalog as their catalog of record and would then follow the program requirements specified in that catalog. Students may not combine program requirements from multiple catalogs.
  • Students who are pursuing multiple degrees or certificates may only declare a maximum of two majors at a time.  As these majors are completed, additional majors may be declared.
  • When the college discontinues a degree or certificate program, students who have already declared their intent to graduate in the program will be allowed a limited amount of time to complete the requirements as long as continuous enrollment is maintained. Additional students may not declare a major that has been discontinued.

All diplomas are mailed within five weeks after the semester ends. Be sure your correct address is on file with the Admissions Office.

 

If you have lost your original certificate or diploma, you may order one duplicate copy at no cost. Complete the Duplicate Diploma Request form and return it to the Records Office.

 

If you missed the deadline to apply for graduation, you may attempt to appeal by submitting a Graduation Appeal Form. This form must be turned in with your late Application for Graduation Form and does not take the place of the application form. Complete these forms online or pick them up in the Success Center, second floor of Student Center.

 

If a deceased student was very close to earning a degree or certificate, in special cases the degree may be awarded posthumously. Normally, the student would be within one semester (i.e., within 18 credits for an undergraduate degree) of completing the requirements for the degree at the time of death. Requests for posthumous degrees or certificates must be approved by the appropriate academic department and the Registrar.