Automatic Graduation Procedures
Procedures
Automatic Graduation Procedure for Programs Completed within Intended Degree
Graduation:
HCCC automatically processes a student’s graduation once they fulfill the course requirements
for their chosen academic program. In addition, HCCC offers several short-term certificates
that students may earn along the way while completing their chosen program. When a
student completes the course requirements for a shorter certificate, the Office of the Registrar will simultaneously graduate the student with that certificate while the student
continues to pursue their original academic program. Once they complete the requirements
for their original academic program, students will again be graduated automatically.
A full list of certificates and degrees can be found here.
Diplomas and Commencement:
To ensure their name is called at the Commencement Ceremony and their diploma reflects
the correct information, students must complete the “Diploma Information Form.” Completed forms should be emailed to registrarFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE or printed and submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services at either the Journal
Square or North Hudson campus (70 Sip Avenue, 1st floor OR 4800 Kennedy Boulevard,
1st floor).
Diploma Information Form Deadlines:
- April 1st – for students graduating at the end of the upcoming fall semester
- November 1st – for students graduating at the end of the upcoming spring semester
All students who earn a certificate or degree at any point in the prior year are invited
to attend the HCCC Commencement Ceremony.
Automatic Graduation Procedure for Programs Completed Outside of Intended/Declared Degree Program
The Office of the Registrar regularly conducts Graduation Eligibility Reviews of student records to identify students who have fulfilled the course requirements for their enrolled program as well as other programs.
Sometimes, a student may complete the requirements for a different program than the one in which they are enrolled, providing them the opportunity to graduate earlier. For example, a student pursuing a Sociology degree might also fulfill the requirements for a Liberal Arts degree along the way. In this case, the Office of the Registrar will inform the student of this option to graduate early from the additional program. If the student chooses to graduate early from the additional program, the Office of the Registrar will award the degree, and the student will earn a degree even earlier than anticipated. If they decide not to graduate early, they may remain in their current program and finish as planned.
Graduation Eligibility Review
The Office of the Registrar routinely reviews student records to proactively identify those who have completed the requirements for a degree or certificate and inform them of their eligibility to graduate. This includes degrees and certificates in which the student is not enrolled.
Students may sometimes graduate earlier than expected by completing the course requirements for another program. This allows them to transfer to a four-year institution or enter the workforce sooner.
Always check with the Office of Financial Aid for questions about eligibility.
Please contact the Office of Career and Transfer Pathways at ctpathwaysFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE to discuss questions related to transferring.
You should reach out to the Office of the Registrar to identify what additional courses you may need to complete in order to earn both degrees.
When the Registrar’s Office contacts you to inform you of this opportunity, you will need to respond to confirm whether you wish to graduate from the additional program, continue with your original program, or both. The Office of the Registrar will also ask how you want your name to appear on your diploma, and they will provide instructions for obtaining your diploma and one free transcript.
Students with questions about graduation should reach out to the Office of the Registrar at registrarFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE.
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