Graduation Requirements

Application for Graduation

Upon completion of 45 credit hours, students must meet with an advisor in the Office of Student Success for a Program Progress Review to ensure you are completing the courses in your chosen academic program and are making satisfactory progress toward graduation.

To ensure your certificate or degree is available by commencement, students must apply in advance for graduation. Application must be submitted according to the following schedule:

• For summer graduation: Between April 1 and June 15.
• For fall graduation: Between July 1 and October 15.
• For spring graduation: Between December 1 and 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 in the Registration and Records Office and on the College’s Website.

Summer, fall and spring graduates are invited to attend the commencement ceremony in May.

Degree

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:

1. 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 16 hours of credit taken at Chesapeake College;
2. have fulfilled the state and institutional requirements with a minimum of 60 credits;
3. have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 at Chesapeake College, 2.75 for the AAT by the posted deadline;
4. have filed an application for graduation;
5. have resolved all financial obligations to the College.

Certificate

To be eligible for graduation with a Certificate from the College, the student must:

1. 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;
2. 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;
3. have filed an application for graduation at the time of registration for his/her final semester;
4. have resolved all financial obligations to the College.

Letter of Recognition

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.

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 Academic Affairs.

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 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 Academic Affairs 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.

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.

Graduation in Absentia

Students who may not be able to attend Commencement must write to the Vice President for Academic Affairs 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 shortly after Commencement.

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.