Graduation Policies

Students who demonstrate superior academic performance in earning their Associate degree are recognized with honors at graduation.

• "Honors" are awarded at Commencement to students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74 inclusive. (Approved College Meeting April 14, 2003)
• "High Honors" are awarded at Commencement to students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 to 4.0. (Approved College Meeting April 14, 2003)

The Registrar reviews all candidates and certifies that all requirements have been met at the required standard of performance. The College has adopted the plan for a single commencement each year to be held at the end of the spring semester. All full-time faculty, professional and administrative staff are expected to participate in the academic procession and ceremony. 

Graduating students are approved as graduates by a special vote of the faculty, administrator and professional staff members at a duly called meeting, at the conclusion of each semester. 

All students must file the Declaration of Intent to Graduate/Degree form with the Registrar. Submit completed forms to the Registrar’s Office no later than: February 1 for May graduation, June 1 for August graduation, and October 1 for January graduation of the semester in which they expect to complete their requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to originate this request and failure to do so may delay his/her graduation. The responsibility for satisfying requirements rests with the student. 

Criteria for Eligibility: Application for graduation must have been filed no later than the "drop date" for spring semester; record shows that the student is expected to complete or to be within 4 credits of his/her graduation requirements by end of spring semester. (Approved by College Meeting April 25, 1994)

Graduation Application Appeals: If a student’s application for graduation reveals a deficiency, the student may petition the Academic Policy and Standards Committee to hear his/her case. This appeal should be initiated by the student and his/her advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate forms are filed and all deadlines are met. Failure to file the application or petition to appeal on time will delay the student’s graduation.

Cumulative GPA
The student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Course Completion
The student must satisfactorily complete  60 college-level credits of which include 35 General Education credits as follows. (See chart below.) Refer to list of General Education Courses in the current College catalog.

Residency Policy
Students completing a degree at Cape Cod Community College must complete at least twenty-four credit hours at Cape Cod Community College, excluding developmental courses. Students completing a certificate at Cape Cod Community College must complete at least 50% of the required credit hours at Cape Cod Community College, excluding developmental courses. (Approved by College Meeting December 10, 2018)

Cumulative GPA
The student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Course Completion
The student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 60 college level credits, which include 21-23 General Education credits as follows. (See chart below.) Refer to list of General Education Courses in the current College catalog.

Residency Policy
Please refer to the Residency Policy above under the Minimum Standards for the Associate in Arts degree.

Program Requirements
The student must fulfill all specified program requirements.

A student identified by the Office of the Registrar as a probable candidate for August or January graduation may participate in the May commencement ceremony. Students who have met all requirements for specific certificate programs may participate in all commencement activities.

Certificates for programs of less than 30 credits may be awarded at exercises as established by the programs. (Approved by Executive Council May 5, 1987). Refer to the Declaration of Intent to Graduate/Certificate form.

A second Associate degree shall be given to students who:

• Meet all specific degree requirements of the academic program for which a second associate degree will be granted. (Note: The student may complete only one Associate in Arts Degree. Students may complete an additional Associate in Science degree in different programs. For those Associate in Science degrees which have multiple concentrations, the student may complete the requirements for only one concentration.)
• Have completed the specific courses, as identified and approved by the appropriate individual or committee at the institutional level, needed to complete the second degree.
• Completed a minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours beyond the first degree requirements. In no case (other than this 15 hour minimum) should it be mandatory for the student to take more credit hours than necessary to meet the requirements of a second degree. (Approved by College Meeting, May 9, 1994)

Students who change from an A.A. or A.S. program to a certificate program will have only that work required by the certificate program considered in determining academic standing.