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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), students should meet with an academic advisor to complete a Program Progress Review to ensure satisfactory progress toward graduation and must also submit a Graduation Application within the application period for the appropriate term.
Students eligible 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 following schedule:
- For summer graduation: No earlier than May 1 and no later than July 30
- For fall graduation: No earlier than July 1 and no later than November 30
- For spring graduation: No earlier than December 1 and no later than March 30
Applications are good for only one term. Students who do not qualify in their current term MUST reapply.
Students should submit their application online through MyCampus > Self-Service > Graduation Overview.
Summer, fall and spring graduates are invited to attend the College’s annual commencement ceremony in May.
Graduation in Absentia
Students not attending Commencement who have submitted a Graduation Application may graduate in absentia if all program requirements have been met. The degree or certificate will be mailed to the student by the Office of Records and Registration the week following Commencement.
Eligibility for Graduation
Students may apply for graduation in the semester in which the program requirements are being completed. All curricular requirements must be met to receive a diploma and to have an academic award posted to the official transcript.
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. Students may apply for a Letter of Recognition through the Office of Records and Registration. Recipients of a Letter of Recognition are not eligible to participate in Commencement.
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 Registrar in conjunction with the Vice President for Workforce and Academic Programs or appropriate designee 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 Registrar.
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 or appropriate designee.
Second AA, AS, AAS, AAT Degree
A student may earn a second degree within the same academic year if all requirements for both awards have been completed simultaneously by the end of the semester in which application for graduation is made. However, multiple options are not normally permitted within the same degree designation; (ex. - multiple degree awards in AA, AS, AAS, and AAT degrees). Under extenuating circumstances exceptions could be approved by the Vice President for Workforce and Academic Programs.
Additionally, students returning in subsequent academic years must complete a minimum of 15 additional credits to be eligible for a second 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 between 3.4 and 3.59 will be graduated with Cum Laude, and those students with a grade point average between 3.6 and 3.79 will be graduated with Magna Cum Laude and students with a grade point average between 3.8 and 4.0 will be graduated with Summa Cum Laude.
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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