Commencement

PSC grants certificates and the following five associate's degrees:

1. Associate in Arts (A.A.)
2. Associate in Science (A.S.)
3. Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
4. Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.; career and technical degree)
5. Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.; not intended for career program or a bachelor's degree)

When submitting a graduation petition, students will be asked to identify the year of the catalog from which they are graduating. Any modifications of graduation requirements must be approved by the department. A course substitution form must be completed with the program coordinator. The dean of the department also will review the document. If approved, the course substitution form will be submitted to Enrollment Services.

Graduation petitions must be completed by the following deadlines to be eligible for graduation:

• October 1 for December graduation
• March 1 for May graduation or August graduates participating in the annual Commencement ceremony
• July 1 for August graduation

December, May, and August candidates may choose to participate in the annual Commencement ceremony, but it is not a requirement.

Note: A $20 graduation fee will be will be applied to student’s accounts. An additional $20 late fee will be assessed if the petition is submitted after the deadline date.

There are three categories of graduation honors: Cum Laude (3.30-3.64 GPA), Magna Cum Laude (3.65-3.84 GPA), and Summa Cum Laude (3.85-4.0 GPA). Certificate students are not eligible for graduation honors.

The earned GPA is used to determine the recognition of honors at the ceremony. Any courses in progress during the spring term will not be used to determine honors eligibility for the Commencement ceremony. The official designation of honors will be applied to the student’s transcript once all grades have been received for the semester in which the degree is conferred.

Graduating members of the college's academic honor societies may purchase regalia items as mementos of their achievement. Honors stoles, cords, and tassels that are not provided by the college generally need to be purchased through the online store for their honor society. Students with questions about ordering academic honor society regalia items can reach out to their faculty advisor.

Prospective and current Phi Theta Kappa members should complete the following:

1. accept your membership and pay the $80 one-time membership fee
2. order your graduation regalia no later than the last week of April at https://portal.ptk.org/Store.aspx to ensure delivery before commencement.

Student veterans and those currently serving can contact MSgt (Ret.) Georges Sanon, Coordinator of Military Student Affairs, at gsanon@prairiestate.edu for military stoles and honor cords.

Students planning to receive a degree and/or certificate at PSC must request an official evaluation of their credits at least one or two semesters prior to degree and/or certificate completion in order to ensure correct course selections.

When you have completed the requirements for your degree, and your graduation application has been approved, your transcript will be updated to show that your degree has been awarded. This can take 4 to 5 weeks after grades are posted for the semester since every application must be individually reviewed to ensure that all the requirements for the awarding of the degree have been met. Students can order their transcripts at any time and request 'Hold for Degree to Post.' Once posted, the transcript will be mailed to the address on file. 

Degrees and certificates will be mailed to student homes in early to mid-July.