Applying For Graduation
Graduation Application
Applications should be filed either the semester prior to or the semester in which the student plans to graduate. Students should complete the Application for Degree/Certificate Form and pay the $10 filing fee. The application fee is good for one year, but students who do not complete the degree requirements in the semester in which they filed MUST contact the Graduation Office to activate their file for the subsequent term.
Verify Mailing Address
To receive information regarding the graduation ceremony and to have diplomas and/or certificates mailed, students must verify their address no later than May 1. Address and/or name changes must be made in the campus registration office at any HCC campus.
Diplomas will be mailed six weeks after the end of the semester date. If your address changes after you apply for graduation, please call the Graduation Office at 713.718.8515 to report the changes.
Privacy
All students who complete the application for degree/certificate will have his/her name printed in the annual graduation ceremony program. If you do not want your name to appear on the commencement program, you must notify the Office of Student Records prior to April 15.
Graduation Eligibility Requirements
Eligible students are those who have completed requirements during the fall semester or who will complete requirements at either the end of the spring or summer semester. Eligible GED students are those who have successfully completed the GED test and have received their passing test results.
Graduation Honors
Honors for the graduation ceremony will be calculated through the fall semester. Students must be within 12 semester hours of completion to have honors calculated for the graduation program. Honors designation on the actual diploma will reflect all coursework. Honors will be awarded to students completing degrees only. The following classifications of honors will be recognized on the student's transcript and diploma:
Highest Honors: 3.80 – 4.00
High Honors: 3.60 – 3.79
Honors: 3.35 – 3.59
Only HCC grades will be used to determine honors status. Honors graduates will be recognized during the graduation ceremony. Only those courses taken through the preceding fall semester will be used to compute GPA for the ceremony. Students must complete at least 75 percent of the course work for their degree by that time.
GED Graduates
Individuals who have successfully completed the GED examination are encouraged to participate in the graduation ceremony. If you wish to participate in the ceremony, take proof of passing the GED test to any HCC bookstore to purchase regalia and announcements.
Please Note:
Students who apply after May 1 will have diplomas printed and mailed the following semester. A diploma or printed certificate is optional. If a student chooses to receive a diploma or printed certificate, the non-refundable fee of $10 must be paid when making the application. This fee is held for one year pending graduation. Students applying for certificates of completion should indicate the expected course completion date on the Application for Graduation. The completion date will be printed on the certificate. Upon completion of final evaluations, degrees and/or certificates will be posted on transcripts.
