Graduation Requirements
Note the following general information about graduation requirements from Seward County Community College with an Associate in Arts Degree, an Associate in Science Degree, an Associate in General Studies, or an Associate in Applied Science Degree:
- a minimum of 64 credit hours completed (developmental courses will not count toward fulfilling degree requirements)
- a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0
- a minimum of 15 residential credit hours
- completion of graduate assessments
Certificate programs have various requirements including, specific courses, credit hour totals, and clock hour totals.
All Associate degree and Certificate of Completion graduates are required to participate in graduate assessments held annually each spring. Diplomas and transcripts will not be released until required assessments are completed.
Specific degree and certificate requirements are listed in the college catalog and can also be obtained from the Registrar's Office, the Admissions Office, or an advisor.
Graduation with Honors
"Graduation with Honors" shall be determined by the following grade points as accumulated on a student's cumulative earned Grade Point Average (GPA) through the semester prior to graduation:
- Summa Cum Laude 3.85 - 4.00
- Magna Cum Laude 3.65 - 3.84
- Cum Laude 3.50 - 3.64
The final semester grades are calculated in the final GPA for the purpose of graduation with honors which will then be recorded on the student's Official Transcript.
Students who are designated as Honor Graduates (at least a 3.5 GPA) may wear Honor Cords at the graduation ceremony.
Graduation Ceremonies
Students meeting the requirements for graduation should participate in Commencement ceremonies; numerous graduation activities are held annually in May and include a public reception honoring the graduates.
In order to participate in graduation exercises, the following is required of students:
- An Application for Graduation form should be filed in the Registrar's Office on or before the first Monday in December. All applications must be signed by the advisor and student with the graduation semester, degree & core emphasis designated. Diploma fee of $15.00 is required when the application is submitted.
- A degree check will be completed by the student and the advisor and submitted to the Registrar by December 3rd. The Registrar will verify to the advisor any deficiencies; the advisor will notify the student of any deficiencies by the enrollment period in January.
- A student must be within nine (9) credit hours of completing graduation requirements in order to participate in the commencement activities. Exceptions are made for some certificate programs. A student who withdraws from a course or courses included in the "within nine" credit hour requirement will be ineligible to participate in commencement activities. If all requirements are not met in the semester applied for, the student must reapply for graduation and pay for a diploma. The date on the diploma will be the semester and year that all requirements are met.
- A Graduation Fee must be paid in the SCCC Bookstore. This fee includes cap/gown/tassel purchase and hood rental (hood rental for Associate Degree Candidates only). Students unable to participate in the Commencement ceremony must submit a request in writing to the Dean of Student Services explaining circumstances prohibiting attendance.