Graduation

Graduation Academic Honors

Graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 to 3.74 will graduate with honors. Those with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 to 3.99 will graduate with high honors. Those with a cumulative GPA of 4.00 will graduate with highest honors.

Graduation Requirements

The general procedures for graduation are outlined below. Course requirements and other regulations are explained for each degree and major in the program section of this catalog.

Students should:

• Meet early and often with an academic advisor to plan a program of study and to ensure all requirements are met to graduate.
• Know and follow the requirements of the curriculum and the rules governing academic work. Academic Advisors can help each student make wise decisions but the ultimate responsibility for meeting the requirements to graduate rests with each student.
• Have at least a minimum of 15 semester hours of residency.
• Must achieve a cumulative 2.0 (C) grade point average in all 100/200 level courses attempted at Rock Valley College.

Students will be certified for graduation only if they satisfy the requirements specified in the official College Catalog, according to the following:
A student may elect to follow degree requirements set forth in any subsequent catalog if the student completes a credit course during that catalog’s effective dates. A new catalog becomes effective in the fall semester of the first year issued and remains in effect until the end of the summer session of the last year noted. Requirements may not be combined from different catalogs.

In the case of curriculum changes and the cancellation or withdrawal of courses, every effort will be made to substitute current course work to fulfill certificate or degree requirements. Course substitutions must be approved in writing by the appropriate academic chairperson, or dean. The student has the ultimate responsibility to fulfill the requirements for the certificate or degree, to check the eligibility to take courses and to observe the academic rules governing the program.

The rules given apply only to requirements for certificates and degrees. All students are subject to the academic regulations stated in the most recent College Catalog.

• Transfers: Students who complete any courses (including final ones) from another college, must submit official transcripts as soon as possible and submit a transcript evaluation request.
• Timing: Graduation requirements may be completed during any semester; however, if a program cannot be completed as planned, notify the Records Analyst immediately.
• Application: Students must submit an application for graduation approved by an Academic Advisor to the Records and Registration Office, located on the second floor of the Student Center,
  Main Campus.

Deadlines for application are:
    March 1 – Spring
    June 1 – Summer
    October 1 – Fall

Note: Summer graduates planning to participate in the Commencement Ceremony must meet the spring application deadline.

Commencement Ceremony

Commencement is held once a year at the end of the spring semester. All students who will complete graduation requirements for the following degrees: A.A., A.S., A.E.S., A.A.S., and A.G.S. are eligible for participation in the spring commencement ceremony. Students who expect to complete their degree at the end of the spring semester or summer immediately following, as well as those who completed their requirements the previous summer or fall semesters, are encouraged to participate. Students must submit an application for graduation to participate in the commencement ceremony (see above). These students will be sent additional information and notified about picking up their cap and gown during the spring semester. Students completing a certificate program will receive their certificate in the mail following the semester of completion. Certificate recipients do not participate in the commencement ceremony.

Second Degree Requirements

A student who has received or qualified for one associate degree from Rock Valley College may receive a second degree upon satisfactory completion of all graduation requirements for the second degree, including an additional 15 semester hours of residency. All specific course requirements for the second degree must be satisfied and at least 15 semester hours of credit, not applied to meet minimum requirements for the first degree, must be applicable toward the second degree.

A student who has received a degree from any other college accredited by a regional accrediting agency, such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), may receive a second degree from Rock Valley College upon satisfactory completion of all graduation requirements for the second degree, including a minimum of 15 semester hours of residency at Rock Valley College.