Graduation - Cleveland Community College, Shelby, NC
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Current Students

Applying for Graduation

  1. Login to your student application portal at www.clevelandcc.edu.
  2. Select “Self-Service/MyCleveland” under “All Apps”.
  3. Select Graduation Overview.
  4. Select Program of Study and Submit.
  5. Click Apply.
  • Please make sure all the information is filled out correctly, including name, address, and if you will be attending the graduation ceremony.
  • There is no graduation fee.
  • You will get a confirmation email once the application has been submitted.
  • REMINDER! Any information concerning graduation, including commencement information, will be sent to your student email. Make sure to check your email frequently for any deadlines, updates, and concerns regarding your application.

Why Am I Unable To Submit My Graduation Application?

Check your Program of Study:

If your program of study is not correct in our records, your program will not display. If you need to change your program of study, or catalog year, complete a Program of Study Change Form and return to Student Affairs. The form can be found on our website www.clevelandcc.edu. Please contact your Academic Advisor for more assistance.

Check your Graduation Status:

If your Application Status states “Your program is not complete”, you will not be able to submit your graduation application. Please contact your Academic Advisor for assistance.

Please refer to our Student Handbook regarding graduation requirements and guidelines. The Student Handbook can be found on our website at www.clevelandcc.edu.

Graduation Application Deadlines

Fall: November 1

Spring and Summer*: March 1

Summer**: July 1

*Summer graduates wishing to attend the commencement ceremony must apply for graduation by March 1.

**Summer graduates NOT wishing to attend the commencement ceremony must apply for graduation by July 1.

Graduation Requirements

The following are established as minimum requirements for graduation from curriculum programs; however, some departments may have additional requirements applicable only to that department. For more information on the College’s Graduation Policy, please see Policy 5.2.9.

  • Complete course requirements outlined by the active program of study listed in the student academic record and earn at least a 2.0 GPA in courses presented for graduation.
  • Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Fine Arts candidates must make a “C” or higher in every course.
  • Complete 60-61 credit hours for the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in General Education degree; 64-76 credit hours for the Associate in Applied Science degree; 36-48 credit hours for a diploma; and 12-18 credit hours for a certificate.
  • At least 25% of the hours presented for graduation from an Associate degree, diploma, or certificate program must have been earned at Cleveland Community College.
  • Students are encouraged to meet with their assigned academic advisor to discuss graduation requirements. Applications should be submitted through the Student Portal in Self-Service before the deadline to ensure timely processing.
  • Degrees, diplomas, and certificates will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application within 6 – 8 weeks after the last day of the semester. In order to receive your credential, all financial obligations must be fulfilled to the College.

Graduation Honors

  • Summa Cum Laude – A student who has a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.8 or greater with no grade below a “C” in courses presented for graduation.
  • Cum Laude – A student who has a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.50 to 3.79 with no grade below a “C” in courses presented for graduation.

Graduation Ceremony Information Student celebrating on stage at graduation

Commencement, or Graduation, is a time that Fall, Spring and potential Summer graduates are recognized. We currently have one commencement ceremony that is held in May. Participation in commencement does not indicate you have actually earned a degree, diploma or certificate. Only an official transcript serves as documentation that a degree, diploma or certificate has been awarded.

Graduates and potential graduates who submit graduation applications by the deadline will be notified in mid-April with specific instructions for the ceremony. Please read all graduation information carefully.

Graduation is typically held in the James B. Petty Amphitheater on the campus of CCC. Cap, gown and tassel package can be purchased from the College Store. If you already have a black cap and gown from a previous ceremony, you may purchase a tassel only. The College Store also has announcements, souvenir tassels, and diploma frames available for purchase.

Graduation Instructions

  1. On Graduation night, arrive at CCC promptly at 4:30 p.m. and report to the Student Activities Center (SAC). Only graduates will be allowed in the SAC. No graduates will be allowed to enter the SAC after 5:30 p.m. All family members and friends should go directly to the amphitheater.
  2. All bathroom visits, personal hygiene, and dressing issues (ex. caps and gowns) must be completed prior to 5:30 p.m.
  3. As you arrive, please report to the Graduation Check-in table in the SAC to receive your graduation card.
  4. We march in at 6:00 p.m. as the processional is played. You will follow the stage dignitaries and faculty as you march into the amphitheater. A marshal or CCC employee will direct you in filling up seats or rows.
  5. Males remove your cap when the student goes to the microphone for the invocation.
  6. For the presentation of credentials, one row at a time will stand and proceed to the stage. You accept your diploma cover and return to your seat.
  7. Dr. Hurst will ask all graduates to stand as a group to have all degrees/diplomas/certificates conferred. You will then be seated and Dr. Hurst will make his closing remarks. Graduates will stand together and march out as the recessional is played. You will follow a CCC representative or marshal as you march out of the amphitheater. You must march all the way to the SAC in order to avoid congestion.

Notes to remember for graduation night:

  1. Remember that graduation is a time when your family is proud of your accomplishments. March in slowly so that they can see you.
  2. Graduate attire should be dressy/casual. No tennis shoes, flip flops, or hats will be allowed. 
  3. No cell phones will be permitted.
  4. If you are receiving more than one credential, only the highest credential will be announced at the ceremony.
  5. Your tassel should be worn on the right side of your cap at all times. Use a straight pin to hold your tassel in place.
  6. Students must notify Student Affairs if they and/or guests need special assistance during the graduation ceremony.
  7. Please leave all personal items with family members/guests before entering the SAC. Any items left unattended in the SAC will be discarded.
  8. Students are allowed to decorate their graduation caps. Caps containing disrespectful and/or discriminatory messages and/or language will not be tolerated.

Photography

Currently, we use Classic-Photography and Imaging for our graduation photography. Classic-Photography and Imaging is provided your contact information so that following the commencement ceremony, your photography proofs can be emailed to you for your review. Purchasing photos is completely optional. You can learn more by visiting their website: http://www.classic-photo.com/.

Successful Graduate

Ceremony Honors and Awards

Americana Cord –  graduates who are currently serving or have previously served in the United States Armed Forces

Black and Gold Cord – Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society

Gold Stole – Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Black and Silver Cord  or Silver Stole – Sigma Alpha Pi

Blue and White Cord & Medallion – Cleveland Early College High School

Red, Black, and White Cord – TRIO-Student Support Services

Blue Cord – Career and College Promise

Outstanding Graduate Award – These awards are presented to graduating students who have distinguished themselves by being most outstanding in terms of scholastic achievement, performance and maturity of purpose during the program of instruction at the College. The program faculty may select one student to be recognized for each degree, diploma, or certificate program each year.

Transcript Requests

Official CCC transcripts can be ordered and purchased online. A debit or credit card is required for online transcript ordering. Transcript requests are $6.00 each. Requests for electronic transcripts (.pdf) are typically processed within one hour, unless a hold exists on the student account. CCC Adult High School Transcripts can be ordered by contacting 704-669-4050. Continuing Education transcripts can be ordered by contacting 704-669-4015 or coned@clevelandcc.edu. To request an official GED transcript, please visit the NC GED Testing Service.

Contact Information

Student Affairs, Jack Hunt Campus Center, Student Enrollment Center

Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (704) 669-4081; Fax: (704) 669-4204
transcripts@clevelandcc.edu

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