Graduation and Commencement

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Overview

COTC graduates students at the end of each semester.  Commencement ceremonies are held at the end of spring semester for students completing degrees and certificates during spring and at the end of autumn semester for students completing degrees and certificates during summer and autumn.  All financial obligations to the college must be satisfied and student loan exit counseling must be completed prior to receiving diplomas or certificates.

Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony

The commencement ceremony for students who earned degrees and/or certificates during spring 2025 will be held Friday, May 2, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Adena Hall Gymnasium on the Newark campus. Please click on the 2025 Spring Commencement Information link in the Forms & Links section below for more information.

Graduation Policies

Each student is responsible for fulfilling all graduation requirements in their curriculum.  These requirements are found on the individual plans of study and in the student’s My Progress.  Students must apply to be graduated two terms prior to the term in which they intend to complete their program course requirements.  Graduation applications can be found under the Graduation Overview link in the Student Planning portal. (If you are a current College Credit Plus student, please contact your advisor for an application.)

For full details on requirements to be graduated, review the Academic Policies and Procedures under “Graduation”.

Diploma and Certificate Distribution

Digital diplomas and certificates will be available via text and/or your COTC student email four to five weeks after the end of the semester. Printed diplomas and certificates will be mailed out by Parchment Award and should arrive 15 to 20 business days after that.  Be sure Student Records has your current mailing address and cell phone number.  You can check your contact information and make any needed changes in Student Planning by selecting User Options.

Accommodations

If you require accommodation to participate fully, contact Stephanie Rowland at rowland.245@mail.cotc.edu. Requests should be made as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks prior to commencement. Requests will be accepted beyond that date, and every effort to provide a needed accommodation will be made but cannot be guaranteed.

Commencement Photo/Video Release

By participating in the commencement ceremony, you and your guests understand that COTC will be photographing and video recording the ceremony. The ceremony will be live-streamed on YouTube or other social media channels, and COTC may use video and photos from the commencement ceremony on college webpages, future publications, or media releases.

Graduation Application Due Dates

Graduation Term  -  Application Due

  • Spring Semester 2025 - Oct. 4, 2024*
  • Summer Semester 2025 – Feb. 28, 2025
  • Autumn Semester 2025 – June 20, 2025

*If you have not submitted your graduation application(s) and you intend to complete a degree and/or certificate at the end of this semester, you need to submit your application(s) as soon as possible. Spring 2025 graduation applications will not be accepted after March 2, 2025.

Forms & Links

  • Graduation Application
  • Cap and Gown Online Order Form coming soon
  • 2025 Spring Graduation & Commencement Information coming soon