Graduation Requirements
In the final semester/term of enrollment, students should apply for graduation. It is the responsibility of the student to know and to observe the requirements of their declared program of study and the rules governing academic work. Students should meet with their advisor consistently throughout their MCC tenures to ensure they stay on track towards graduation. The graduation policies and procedures of MCC are as follows:
To graduate from MCC, students are required to:
- Complete the general education requirements of the program.
- Complete the required program core courses, support courses, and prerequisite requirements.
- Acquire a minimum of one fourth of the required 100-level or above credit hours at MCC to earn a degree; non-course transfer equivalency (credit brought in through a non-standard method) may, at the discretion of the Registrar’s Office, be excluded from this calculation. These hours must count toward the degree being earned.
- Acquire a minimum of one fourth of the required 100-level or above credit hours at MCC to earn a certificate of proficiency; non-course transfer equivalency (credit brought in through a non-standard method) may, at the discretion of the Registrar’s Office, be excluded from this calculation. These hours must count toward the certificate being earned.
- Meet MCC’s ongoing enrollment requirements in order to be subject to the catalog of initial enrollment. Students not meeting MCC’s ongoing enrollment requirements will fall under the catalog requirements currently in effect.
- If a course substitution is required for graduation, a student must meet with an advisor in order complete a Course Substitution form. The Course Substitution form must be approved and submitted by the appropriate associate dean or program director to the Registrar’s Office for final posting.
- Earn a cumulative 2.0 or higher grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. Some specific programs have higher grade requirements for graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of these program requirements. A degree (or course) may not be transferable to an in-state university unless students earn a “C” or better in each course.
- AGEC-A , AGEC-B , and AGEC-S (Arizona General Education Curriculum) require a “C” or better in each course to receive the AGEC completion designation on MCC transcripts. Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Business (ABus), and Associate of Science (AS) degrees include the classes contained in AGECs. Unless otherwise specified by the program, these degrees can be completed with a “D” grade in AGEC courses as long as an overall 2.0 GPA is obtained. However, the AGEC will not be designated on the transcript and universities may not accept these courses for transfer.
- Previously enrolled MCC students who earned sufficient credits for graduation requirements under the catalog year in which they were enrolled and earned a 2.0 GPA but had one or more “D” grades on their transcript may petition to graduate by contacting an advisor.
- Programs may have different graduation requirements. Please see appropriate program page for detailed graduation requirements that are specific to the program.
Note: Students who apply to graduate and do not complete all requirements by the end of the semester/term for which they applied must reapply to graduate.
Graduation Application and Commencement
In the final year of enrollment, candidates for graduation must complete the following steps to ensure successful graduation. Candidates are required to do the following:
- Meet with an academic advisor for initial review of the degree/certificate of proficiency program requirements at least one semester/term before applying for graduation.
- Complete and submit the online application for graduation during the anticipated semester/term of completion which will initiate a graduation evaluation by the Registrar’s Office to determine if the requirements of the degree/certificate have been met.
- A student’s legal name i.e., the name that appears on their passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, or U.S. Social Security Card, will appear on their diploma, please see Preferred Name for additional information.
- Indicate on the application for graduation their intent to participate in the annual commencement ceremony.
- Complete the graduation survey.
- Students who submit applications after the April due date will have no guarantee of their name in the commencement program.
For a list of important dates, please see the Academic Calendar.
MCC conducts one formal commencement ceremony each May. Students who have filed a graduation application by the appropriate deadlines may participate in the ceremony. Students must purchase a cap and gown to be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony. Cap and gown ordering information is available on the Commencement Information webpage. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee graduation.
Evaluation of Graduation Applications
The Registrar’s Office evaluates the Graduation Application by reviewing a student’s MCC transcript, applicable transfer credits, and cumulative grade point average. Transfer classes do count toward total credits earned for graduation, but are not calculated in the graduating student’s cumulative GPA.
If a student has met all degree/certificate of proficiency requirements, approval is given by the Registrar’s Office to award the degree/certificate and the degree/certificate is posted on the student’s transcript. The Registrar’s Office will handle the printing and mailing of any diplomas. AGEC certificates of completion graduates do not receive a diploma; however, the certificate will be posted on the transcript. Students should allow a minimum of 10 weeks after the end of the graduation term for applications to be processed and diplomas mailed.
Any students seeking a degree verification may print an unofficial copy of their transcript or request an official copy of the transcript showing the degree awarded and date granted. Prior to the end of the term, official transcripts may be ordered for delivery after grades and graduation status is finalized.
MCC reserves the right to evaluate a student’s MCC transcript, applicable transfer credits, and cumulative grade point average to determine if they have earned a degree/certificate of proficiency without a graduation application. If the student meets the requirements for graduation from the applicable program at the time of the evaluation, the Registrar’s Office may confer the appropriate degree or certificate of proficiency without a graduation application.
Graduation with Honors
The Registrar’s Office evaluates a student’s Graduation Application by reviewing a student’s MCC transcript, applicable transfer credits, and cumulative grade point average.
To graduate with Honors, degree program students must:
- Complete a minimum of one third of the required 100-level or above credit hours at MCC to earn a degree; these hours must count toward the degree being earned.
- Achieve an overall cumulative 3.75 GPA for all MCC courses completed by the end of the semester/term in which they have applied for graduation.
To graduate with Honors, Certificate of Proficiency students must:
- Complete a minimum of one third of the required 100-level or above credit hours at MCC to earn a certificate of proficiency; these hours must count toward the certificate being earned.
- Achieve an overall cumulative 4.0 GPA for all MCC courses completed by the end of the semester/term in which they have applied for graduation.
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