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If graduation is your goal, it is our goal to help you reach it. The information on this page outlines the requirements and process to graduate from Chesapeake College with a degree, certificate, or letter of recognition.
NOTE: Information about Commencement (the graduation ceremony) will be provided to eligible graduates by the College at the appropriate time.
Applying for Graduation
Upon completion of 45 credit hours (or 75% of curricular requirements to complete a certificate or letter of recognition), students must meet with an assigned advisor to complete a Program Progress Review to ensure satisfactory progress toward graduation and must submit a Graduation Application within the application period for the appropriate term.
Students eligilble for graduation at the time a Graduation Application is submitted are invited to participate in the College’s commencement ceremony in May, providing no changes that make the student ineligible for graduation have occured to the student’s schedule after submission of the application.
Application deadlines
The Graduation Application must be submitted according the the following schedule:
- For summer graduation: No earlier than April 1 and no later than July 1
- For fall graduation: No earlier than July 1 and no later than November 1
- For spring graduation: No earlier than December 1 and no later than March 1
Applications are good for only one term. Students who do not qualify in the term they apply will be required to reapply if graduation is completed within one year.
Forms are available on the College’s Website and in the Registration and Records Office.
Summer, fall and spring graduates are invited to attend the College’s annual commencement ceremony in May.
Graduation in Absentia
Students who may not be able to attend Commencement must write to the Vice President for Workforce and Academic Programs at Chesapeake College, explaining the circumstances that necessitate the request for permission to graduate in absentia. When such permission is granted, the degree or certificate will be mailed to the student by the Office of Registration and Records after Commencement.
Eligibility for Graduation
Students earning degrees, certificates, and letters of recognition are eligible to apply for graduation after completing 75% of the curricular requirements. However, all graduation and curricular requirements must be met for a student to be eligible for award of the appropriate credential and for participation in commencement ceremonies.
Degree eligibility
To be eligible for graduation with an Associate of Arts degree, Associate of Arts in Teaching, Associate of Science degree, or an Associate of Applied Science degree from the College, the student must:
- have fulfilled all course requirements of his/her degree program as outlined in the appropriate College Catalog (see Catalog Year Graduation Requirements), with a minimum of 15 hours of credit taken at Chesapeake College;
- have fulfilled the state and institutional requirements with a minimum of 60 credits;
- have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 at Chesapeake College, 2.75 for the AAT by the posted deadline;
- have filed an application for graduation;
- have resolved all financial obligations to the College.
Certificate eligibility
To be eligible for graduation with a Certificate from the College, the student must:
- have fulfilled all of the program course requirements outlined in the appropriate College Catalog (see Catalog Year Graduation Requirements) and have achieved at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average;
- have completed the prescribed total semester hours of credit for the certificate, at least 25 percent of which must have been taken at Chesapeake College;
- have filed an application for graduation at the time of registration for his/her final semester;
- have resolved all financial obligations to the College.
Letter of Recognition eligibility
The Letter of Recognition is awarded in certain programs that are of a duration of less than 12 semester hours. Students must achieve a 2.0 cumulative grade point average for these semester hours. Students must apply to the Registration and Records Office by April 1.
Curricular Requirements for Graduation
For detailed curricular requirements for graduation, refer to your chosen Program of Study.
Catalog Year
Students who maintain continuous enrollment may elect to meet the catalog curricular requirements from their year-of-entry catalog or graduation year catalog. If a student changes curricula, the catalog in effect at the time of the change is considered the year-of-entry catalog.
Should a student’s enrollment at Chesapeake be interrupted by a break of three or more regular semesters, excluding summer sessions, the catalog in effect when the student re-enters Chesapeake College will be considered the year-of-entry catalog.
When courses have been discontinued, the Vice President for Workforce and Academic Programs will designate appropriate substitute courses to meet curricular requirements. Any requests for use of curricular requirements from any catalog other than those specified above, may be submitted in writing to the Admissions, Financial Aid, and Academic Standing Committee.
Course Substitution
Any request for substitution of a course or courses for those listed as requirements for a degree or certificate must be stated in writing and approved by the Registrar and the Vice President for Workforce and Academic Programs.
Second AA, AS, AAS, AAT Degree
A student may earn a second degree wihin the same year in accordance with the following standards: Multiple option designations would not be permitted within the same program of study; multiple degree awards (AA, AS, AAS, and AAT) would not normally be permitted, although exceptions could be approved by the Vice President for Workforce and Academic Programs. Multiple program of study designations may be made within the AAS degree.
Academic Honors and Awards
Academic Honors
Degree and certificate students having completed at least 15 credit hours at Chesapeake and whose cumulative grade point average is 3.5 or better will be graduated with Honors, and those students with a 3.75 average or above will be graduated with Honors with Distinction at Commencement.
John T. Harrison Award
The John T. Harrison cash award and plaque are bestowed upon a Chesapeake College student who, upon graduation, exhibits outstanding characteristics of scholarship, citizenship, and leadership at the College and in the community.
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