All students must Apply to Graduate through Self-Service Banner [SSB] at least one semester prior to graduating. An application can be completed for up to two degrees and/or certificates. Students applying for more than two degrees/certificates must go through the Records Office.

It is your responsibility to make sure that all grade change forms, course substitutions, transfer credits, and incompletes are recorded in the Records Office prior to graduation. Petitions are only valid for the semester applied. If the requirements are not met during that term, the student must reapply for the new expected graduation term.

After completing the application, you should run a degree audit through SSB. The Records Office will perform an official degree audit, but this may take many weeks depending on when it is received. Degree audits will be completed for each student in the order received. You will be notified by email when the official degree audit is completed. The audit will indicate any courses still needed to complete your program requirements. Questions regarding CAPP and or missing requirements may be directed to an academic advisor.

This information is available in lieu of Commencement rehearsal.

Commencement will occur on May 7, 2021 at three different times based on academic division (see below) and will last approximately 1 hour.

Allied Health, Nursing & Science Division - 5 p.m.
Health Care Administration, Health Information Technology, Law Enforcement, Medical Assisting, Nursing and Physical Therapist Assistant, Mortuary Science pathway

Liberal Arts & Business Division - 6:30 p.m.
Accounting, Communication, Digital Media Technology, Management, Marketing, Music and Office Administration, Associate of Arts pathways (American Sign Language, Creative Writing, Economics, Education, English, History, Psychology, Social Work), Associate of Science pathways (Biology, Business, Health Information, Management, Mechanical Engineering Technology)

Technology & Skilled Trades Division - 8 p.m.
Computer Systems, Construction Technology, Electricity, HVACR, Manufacturing Engineering, Power Technology, Robotics - Integrated Manufacturing and Welding

Candidates and their families are to arrive and enter through the General Technologies Building (Building B) at least 15 minutes prior to their time slot. Families will be escorted to the Student Activities Center to find their seating area, while candidates will be guided to their line-up location.

Candidates will follow the direction of the graduation marshals who will guide you to the Student Activities Center. Candidates will have a calling card which lists their name, major, and honors. Graduation marshals will direct you when to approach the stage. You will hand your calling card to the speaker. The name of each candidate will be announced and each candidate will proceed to the middle of the stage stage for a picture with the President and/or Vice-President of Academic Affairs. Along the way, they will be handed a diploma/certificate cover. Candidates should pause for a moment for the photographer to capture your picture and then follow the guides to your seat and be seated.

After all students have processed across the stage and have been seated, the ceremony will be continued. Finally, candidates will be asked to stand for the conferring of degrees. Candidates will change their tassels from right to left.

Due to CDC social distancing guidelines, candidates will be limited to a maximum of four guests in attendance.

Graduation honors for Commencement are based on Fall Semester grade point average (GPA). In order to check your current GPA status, please log onto your Student Portal. Grade point averages are not rounded up for honors. Your diploma will have honors recorded based on your final semester GPA.

Honor Classification	Cumulative Grade Point Average
summa cum laude	3.90-4.00
magna cum laude	3.75-3.89
cum laude	3.50-3.74

All graduates are required to wear a blue cap and gown with the appropriate tassel. Cap, gown, and tassel are purchased in the College Store. Please watch your Student Portal for an announcement of when they are available for purchase. The cost is $40 plus tax. If you have earned honors, the honor cord(s) will be given to you when you purchase your cap and gown.

All certificate graduates are required to wear a blue gown. You will need to purchase your gown in the College Store for $30 plus tax.

Students can also purchase a tassel for $5 plus tax if they do not want to participate in graduation but would like to have a tassel.

The College Store hours for the day/night of graduation will be 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

A photographer will take your photo as you accept your diploma cover at Commencement. There is no charge for this and you will receive a complimentary 5” x 7” color print when you pick up your diploma. Additional copies can be purchased. The College will record the ceremony and the video link will be posted on our website. We offer this service so that your family and friends may enjoy the ceremony. Please inform your guests of recording service.

Candidates and guests requiring special handicapped accommodations due to a disability please contact the Record's Office at 419.559.2405 or recordsdept@terra.edu.

Pick up your cap and gown before Commencement Day and hang it up or press it to be wrinkle free.

Candidates and their families are to arrive and enter through the General Technologies Building (Building B) at least 15 minutes prior to their time slot. Families will be escorted to the Student Activities Center to find their seating area, while candidates will be guided to their line-up location.

Do not bring any personal items with you to Commencement that you will have to carry with you. There are no areas available for storing these items. We recommend you lock personal items in your car or ask a family member to hold them for you.

Do not misplace the calling card you will receive upon checking in.

Listen to the announcement of staff when it is time to line up for your degree.

Fresh flowers and commemorative Commencement t-shirts will be available for purchase at Commencement, and are available now for pre-order online at: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/terra/.

Terra State Community College awards and distributes diplomas/certificates three times per academic year. We have one commencement ceremony in May. It normally takes up to 8 weeks following Commencement for diplomas and certificates to be available. Participating in the commencement ceremony does not constitute graduation. You will receive your diploma or certificate cover at the commencement ceremony. Diplomas and/or certificates will be ready for pickup or will be mailed approximately 8 weeks following commencement. All remaining diplomas and certificates that have NOT been picked up will be mailed to the permanent address on file. Students can update their address in Banner Self-Service up until the day diplomas are mailed.

To receive your diploma/certificate you must have a zero balance on your account and all library materials returned.

Final grades posting usually take 2-3 weeks after the semester ends. Degree/Certificate posting to your transcript may take longer than 3 weeks to process. If you are requesting a transcript, please be sure to select “hold for graduation” when completing the request.