Steps to Graduate

Learn the required steps to graduate and attend the commencement ceremony.

An HCC graduate gives the double thumbs up sign during the Commencement Ceremony.

Graduate Checklist

  1. Apply for Graduation - Graduation signifies the successful completion of all academic program requirements. Upon meeting these requirements, you'll receive your diploma and have your credential reflected on your official transcript.
  2. Register to attend Commencement - The Commencement Ceremony is the event where you, alongside your peers, walk across the stage to celebrate your accomplishments with friends, family, and faculty.

Please follow the steps below to ensure you don't miss any required deadlines. 

Apply for Graduation

Graduation signifies the successful completion of all academic program requirements. Upon meeting these requirements, you'll receive your diploma and have your credential reflected on your official transcript.

  1. Meet With Your Academic Advisor

    Before applying for graduation, you must meet with your assigned Academic Advisor. Your advisor will confirm that you have completed all program requirements and approve you to apply. Review Step 2 below for graduation application deadlines.

    To find your assigned advisor & book an appointment, log-in to Navigate Success with your HCC Student credentials, and then click on the Appointment tab from your student profile. Then click the “Schedule an Appointment” button. Once a new appointment is set, you will receive a reminder in your To-Do list.

    Connect With Your Academic Advisor

    Use Navigate Success or visit a campus Advising office to contact your assigned Academic Advisor. 

    Navigate Success

  2. Apply for Graduation

    After getting approval from your Academic Advisor to graduate, your next step is complete application for graduation. The link to apply will not appear in your Student Center unless your Academic Advisor approves you.

    1. To apply: Log in to your Student Center.
    2. Select the Academic Records tile.
    3. Select the link on left to apply for graduation. 

    Graduate Applications Submitted after Deadline

    Students who apply for graduation AFTER the October 16 deadline and meet the academic program requirements will receive their diploma and have it reflected on their transcript. However, they will not be permitted to walk across the stage at the Commencement Ceremony. 

    Apply for Graduation by October 16

    In order to be eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, graduates must apply for graduation AND register for the Commencement Ceremony by the deadline.

Register to attend Commencement

The Commencement Ceremony is the event where you, alongside your peers, walk across the stage to celebrate your accomplishments with friends, family, and faculty.

  1. Register to attend Commencement

    Walking in the Commencement Ceremony is optional and entirely up to you. Not registering will not affect your diploma or transcript.

    If you'd like to participate, once you've applied for graduation by the deadline, you'll receive an email invitation from Tassel with instructions on how to register for the Commencement Ceremony.

    Make sure you:

    • Register early to secure your preferred ceremony time. Due to building capacity limits, space is limited for each ceremony time slot.
    • Regularly check your HCC student email for full details on registering and preparing for the ceremony, including your spam folder.

    Register for Commencement by October 30

    To participate in the Commencement Ceremony, you must register by the October 30 deadline. Please mark this date on your calendar and prioritize registering before this cutoff.

    Only graduates who are registered by this deadline will be allowed to walk in the ceremony.

  2. Know Before You Go: Commencement

    This page highlights everything you and your guests need to know before ceremony day.

    It includes information about:

    • Where to purchase your regalia
    • Honors Cords
    • Arrival Time
    • Parking & Venue Info
    • Guest Ticketing, and
    • More important information

    Consider bookmarking this page and sharing with your guests.

    Visit the Know Before You Go: Commencement Page

    Know Before You Go

Graduation and Commencement Help

Student Services

For more information regarding Graduation and Commencement, please contact us.