Commencement Information
PSC grants certificates and the following six associate's degrees:
- Associate in Arts (A.A.)
- Associate in Science (A.S.)
- Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
- Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.)
- Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.; career and technical degree)
- Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.; not intended for career program or a bachelor's degree)
Specific curriculum requirements for a particular degree or certificate program are found in the catalog under DEGREES, CERTIFICATES, COURSES in section 2. Consult that section of the catalog and the index for detailed information.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree or certificate, you must complete the academic requirements shown in the catalog for the year in which you entered Prairie State College. If the degree or certificate requirements are changed during your attendance, you may elect to satisfy either the new requirement or the ones in force when you enrolled. If you withdraw from Prairie State College for either a fall or spring semester, you must satisfy requirements in force at the time you re-enroll.
Students planning to receive a degree and/or certificate at PSC must request an official evaluation of their credits in the Office of Enrollment Services by completing the "Transcript Evaluation Request Form" at least one or two semesters prior to degree and/or certificate completion in order to ensure correct course selections.
Graduation Petition
When submitting a graduation petition, you will be asked to identify the year of the catalog from which you 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 the Office of Enrollment Services.
Students must submit a graduation petition to the Enrollment Services Office by the following deadlines to be eligible for graduation:
- October 1 for December graduation
- March 1 for May graduation or August graduates participating in May ceremony
- July 1 for August graduation
December, May and August candidates may choose to participate in the annual May Commencement ceremony (see Commencement Ceremony).
Graduation Petition Instructions:
- Obtain the Graduation Petition form in the Enrollment Services Office
- Complete the form, carefully printing your full name as you want it to appear on your diploma
- Pay the appropriate fee in the Business Office (staff member in Business Office must
sign the bottom of the form)
Graduation fee is $20 per degree and/or certificate. Petitions received after the posted deadlines are charged an additional $20.
- After payment, return form to Enrollment Services Office. The staff will sign the form and give you a copy of the petition.
- In approximately 2 to 3 weeks, you will receive an eligibility notice in the mail, along with additional information regarding the awarding of your degree and/or certificate.
Virtual Commencement Ceremony
The 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony will be on Saturday, May 15. Be on the lookout for more information.
If you have any questions about graduation or the virtual ceremony, please contact Helen Manley at hmanley@prairiestate.edu.
We will be creating slides for our graduates. A letter will be sent to our graduates with more information.
If you have any questions about graduation or the virtual ceremony, please contact Helen Manley at hmanley@prairiestate.edu.
Diplomas
Transcripts will reflect the student’s degree or certificate conferral. Mailing typically takes place four to six weeks after the end of the term, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mailings may be delayed.
Cap and Gown Ordering / Measurements
Important Commencement Information
The commencement ceremony, originally scheduled for May 16, 2020, has been moved to a virtual event set to take place in early August. We will share additional information as it becomes available.
Although 2020 Commencement will be a virtual event, graduating members of the college's academic honor societies may still purchase regalia items as mementos of their achievement. Students with questions about ordering academic honor society regalia items can reach out to their faculty advisor. 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.
If the graduate or guest has special needs, contact Helen Manley at hmanley@prairiestate.edu or (708) 709-3910.
For more information regarding commencement, please contact Helen Manley at hmanley@prairiestate.edu or (708) 709-3910.
Tickets
The 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony will take place on May 15, 2021. Therefore, no tickets will be provided. A link will be shared closer to the date.
Graduation Honors
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. [Please note, any courses in progress during the spring term will not be used to determine honors eligibility for the 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.
For more information or clarification about the Commencement Ceremony or the above graduation honors, please contact Helen Manley (708) 709-3910, or stop by the Student Leadership center, room 1260.
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