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  CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE – SPRING 2021: Classes are being conducted online, in-person and hybrid. Select (in-person) student services are available by appointment in the Hannelly Center and the Library.  All services are available remote/online. Please view the following links for more information.   Maricopa Coronavirus Website  |  CARES Funding FAQs  |  Need Help?  | Remote Services & Support  | Library Hours

  1. Become a Student
  2. Admissions and Records
  3. Commencement

Commencement

Congratulations on your academic achievement at Phoenix College!   Get pumped to turn your tassels and leave your PC home with a sense of accomplishment and pride. This is a very exciting time of the year as you receive the degree/certificate for which you have worked so hard to complete. 

Application Deadlines

Spring 2021: March 1, 2021

Graduation Ceremony

Date: May 14, 2021
Time: TBD
Place:  TBD
Theme: TBD

Preparing for Spring Graduation Ceremony

Note: Since the graduation ceremony is held once per year, previous year Summer and Fall degree/certificate completers may participate. Students may be awarded after the completion of each semester (Spring, Summer, Fall).

Obtain your Official Transcripts

Ensure that all credits received at other institutions is sent to Phoenix College by ordering official transcripts and sending them to:

Phoenix College Admissions, Records, and Registration
1202 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85013

Please note: You do not need to have other Maricopa Community College transcripts sent to PC.

Submit Your Application

Applications are located at the Welcome Desk in the Hannelly Center or you can download the application below. Submission can be done in-person with an advisor, at Cashier’s office, or an Admissions representative. If you cannot submit the application in-person you may submit via e-mail to pcgraduation@phoenixcollege.edu. Phoenix College's commencement is open to all degree and certificate graduates.

Instructions:

  1. Download a degree application or certificate application  [PDF].
    1. The applications are fillable PDF documents.  You can complete these using the Free Adobe Reader
  2. Submit a separate application for each degree/certificate. 
  3. Attach a completed check sheet or degree progress report for each degree/certificate. Check sheets should be picked up from the Hannelly One-Stop Enrollment Center (you can also find check sheets and more information at the MCCCD Curriculum website)

    Note: It is strongly recommended that students schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor or Program Coordinator for a review of your check sheet.

Pay Your Fees

  • $25 commencement participation fee 
  • $5 hard cover 
  • $5 tassel 
  • $5 reorder/reprint of certificate or diploma
  • $0 if you wish to only receive your diploma/certificate in the mail

Need to make a payment online? Email brooke.sexton@phoenixcollege.edu

Outstanding Balances

This is a good time to be sure you have no outstanding balances, fees, or traffic fines before you submit your graduation application. Any debts within the Maricopa Colleges must be cleared before a degree/certificate can be awarded.

Grad Trax is a graduation information session for all potential graduates who are targeted to complete a degree or certificate. In this informational session, you will learn about the many resources available to assist you with your transition from Phoenix College to your next step. The resources include, the next steps to transfer to a university or the tools needed to apply for your career. You will gain knowledge on the importance of paying off student debt and payment options available to you. The session will wrap up with what to expect on commencement day and what you can do to get involved with Phoenix College’s Alumni Association.

Enroll into Grad Trax Online!

GradTrax

How to Register for Classes

Honors Program Cords & Special Designation

If you are receiving honor’s designations from the Honors Program, contact the coordinator of this program directly at 602-285-7305 or PC-Honors@phoenixcollege.edu.  This designation is not handled through Admissions, Records & Registration. 

Phi Theta Kappa Graduation Regalia

If you are planning on ordering regalia for your graduation, please go to http://www.ptk.org/Store.aspx and click "login" in the upper right corner. Then follow the instructions for entering your Phi Theta Kappa membership number and school information (you should have received your PTK membership card in the mail). Once you have successfully entered the information, you'll be able to order your graduation regalia. You may choose to order the cords, the stole, or both. PTK regalia MUST be ordered early and will not be available at the commencement ceremony.

Veterans

If you are a veteran and would like to wear the Veteran's commencement stole, please contact Veterans Services at 602.285.7342 or PC-Veteran-Services@phoenixcollege.edu.

Cultural Stoles

You may attend a cultural convocation and receive a cultural stole. Please RSVP here.

Distinction Cords

Degree-seeking students may receive a distinction cord which is based on the grade point average at the end of the previous fall semester.  There will be no spring semester grades taken into consideration for your graduating GPA. If you are participating in commencement, the distinction cords earned will be disbursed at check in. 

 

 

More information about cap and gown pick up for May 2021 will be coming soon!

Degree-seeking students may receive a distinction cord which is based on the grade point average at the end of the previous fall semester. There will be no spring semester grades taken into consideration for your graduating GPA.

How to Wear Your Cap & Gown

What do you wear under your cap and gown?

What you wear under your cap and gown is about comfort and style! Think business-casual dress, and remember: your shirt collar or dress top will show. Wear comfortable shoes suited for the surface — a football field? Stairs to climb or descend? Check to see what the temperature will be during the ceremony and make sure you are prepared. Most importantly, wear something that won’t distract from the formality of the ceremony and is the right fit for post-ceremony dinner or an outing with family and friends.

How do you wear a mortarboard?

Wear your mortarboard like the academic pro you are. Place the cap on your head so the point is in the front, about 1 inch above the eyebrows. Your mortarboard should be worn level on your head, and the tassel should be placed on the right side.

How do you iron a graduation gown?

If you choose to iron your graduation gown, here are a couple of quick tips:

  1. Turn the gown inside out and use the “Warm” setting on your iron. If you are ironing your stole, iron it face down, not directly on the stitching on the front.
  2. Move the iron continuously; don’t stay too long in one spot! Hang the gown to keep it wrinkle-free. You can use a steamer on your graduation stole, too!

What side do you wear your graduation cap tassel?

Wear your graduation tassel on the right side of your mortarboard. When you have received your diploma, you will be told to flip your tassel to the left side!

How do you wear honor cords at graduation?

Here’s how to properly wear your graduation honor cord(s):

  1. Once you are in your gown, first place your graduation stole around your neck, making sure the ends are at the same length.
  2. Place your honor cord(s) on top of your graduation stole, again making sure the cords are at the same length.

If you would like to be a part of making Phoenix College history, apply to be the “Student Speaker” at the 2021 Phoenix College Commencement Ceremony!

To be considered for this honor, please submit the following:

  • A one-page personal letter discussing why you should be selected to be the Student Speaker.
  • A draft of your 3-minute speech (approximately 500-600 words). The purpose of the speech is to welcome the audience to the commencement ceremony.
  • Include your personal contact information (email, telephone, etc.) as to how we may reach you.

   * Submissions must be received by TBD via e-mail to brooke.sexton@phoenixcollege.edu

Finalists will be contacted to schedule their audition time, in which they will present their speech to the Selection Committee.

Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Student must be graduating in May 2021 and be participating in the Commencement Ceremony on May 14, 2021.
  • Content of speech.
  • Organization of speech.
  • Appropriateness for welcoming the audience to the commencement ceremony.
  • Time limit (can be done in 3 minutes).
  • Ability to appropriately represent the 2020 graduating class of Phoenix College.
  • GPA Requirement 2.0

If you are selected as the “Student Speaker” for Commencement, you will be expected to rehearse (and revise if necessary) your speech with a faculty mentor from the Communication Department. For further information, contact Brooke Sexton at 602.285.7513.

 

**Location for the 2021 commencement ceremony is to be determined. Please know that the information below is not up to date. More information about location will come at the beginning of 2021.**

Social Media

#PCgrad21

#PCproud  

#Heartofthebear.

Alumni

Once you graduate, you will become a proud alum of Phoenix College. Please fill out the alumni membership form to receive information about events and activities that are alumni specific. Membership into the Phoenix College Alumni Association is free to all alumni who either attended or graduated from Phoenix College. Make sure to visit our Facebook page and Like us!

 

Below are some of the Frequently Asked Questions for graduation and commencement:

What do I wear for graduation?

  • Students are required to wear caps, gowns and tassels when participating in the Phoenix College Commencement Ceremony as well as any college convocation ceremony and most special interest convocation events.

How do I get tickets for graduation ceremonies?

  • Tickets will not be required for the Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony at Desert Financial Arena.

Will my name be read at the ceremony?

  • Graduates names will be called as they walk across the stage. The degrees and certificates will be recognized on the live screen as the graduate walks across the stage.

What happens if I show up late for any ceremony?

  • It is recommended that you arrive 45 minutes before your ceremony is scheduled to begin. Most ceremonies require that students check-in and receive their reader card. This is the card that you hand to the reader before you cross the stage. If you arrive as the ceremony is beginning or after the event begins, you are not guaranteed a seat or that your name will be called. 

How long is the ceremony? 

  • Two hours.

What is a program book?

  • A program book has all the information about the commencement ceremony and list ALL graduates with their name, degree/certificate earned, distinction, honors, PTK.

When will I receive information about the ceremony?

  • All students who submitted their application will receive an e-mail and a letter with all details about the ceremony. They will receive a “Fact Sheet” when they pick up the cap and gown. All information is on our commencement page on our Phoenix College website. 

Can certificate holders participate?

  • YES!! :) They go through the same process as degree holders.

Are there professional photographic services offered?   

  • Yes, we will have GradImages there to take pictures. The students will be given directions on how to order with when they pick up the cap and gown.

Where is the ceremony located?

  • Desert Financial Arena
  • Arizona State University

What time is the ceremony?

  • 7:00 pm

Will there be a fee for parking or other charges outside of the $25 for ceremony?  

  • No, there should not be any additional charges outside of the $25. Free parking will be provided at the Arena.

How many people can a student invite to the ceremony and do guest need tickets?

  • Tickets are NOT required for friends and family.

Do I need to have invitations for my family?

  • If the students wish to send out announcements they can purchase those at the Bookstore.

Can I still participate even if I have more classes to take? (Summer in-progress classes)

  • Yes, students can participate in ANY spring semester they want. They will not receive their diploma until ALL courses and ALL grades are posted.

If I don’t want to participate in the commencement ceremony, how much would a graduation fee be?

  • If a student does not wish to participate, it is no cost to them to receive their diploma in the mail.
  • If a student wishes to have their diploma mailed with a diploma cover, it is a cost of $5 paid to the cashier's office.

I do not want to participate in commencement, but I would like to have a program book.

  • The program book is also available on our website located under commencement. Program books are only given out to students who participate in the commencement ceremony.

Do students get a special cord for GPA?

  • Students will receive a distinction cord if they earned a 3.5 GPA or higher.
  • (CORDS  will be picked up on the day of Commencement, at ASU)  ** GPA for the ceremony/cords will be calculated based on the previous semester.GPA is calculated by the grades for the students degree. Transfer credits are also included.
  • The final GPA will be calculated when grades are posted and will be reflected on the student’s diploma/transcript.

Do students receive tassels or stoles for PTK or honors? 

  • Phoenix College does not provide PTK tassels or stoles. The student will need to purchase these items on the PTK website. If they have any questions they can speak to our PTK rep, in the honors department.
  • Students in the Honors Program can connect with Safia Sampson in regards to graduation regalia.

Do any extra steps need to be completed to receive such honors?

  • PTK- Students sign up for PTK on the website. I believe there is a deadline to be apart of PTK and the student would need to check on the website. Also, the minimum GPA to withhold PTK is 3.25.
  • Honors- Honors students would need to complete 15 credit hours of honors classes to be an eligible honor student. Students need to connect with Elaine P. for any information regarding honors. Also, students would need to maintain at least a 3.5 for their degree.

When can I pick up my cap and gown?

  • March 16, 2020. 

When is the last day to pick up my cap and gown?

  • April 17, 2020- This date is set to make sure all students complete the survey in the Bookstore. The information gathered from the survey is used for the reader cards at the ceremony.

What is included in my $25 dollar commencement payment?

  • Cap, gown, tassel, diploma cover, program book

Can I purchase just the tassel?

  • Yes, it is a $5 payment with the cashier’s department. Extra tassels will be at the Student Businesses Services office for students just wanting the tassel. 

I want a copy of my diploma/ certificate sent to me, what do I need to do?

  • Students who are in need of a copy of their diploma will need to submit a graduation application and pay the $5 reorder fee with the Student Businesses Services office. Processing time for a reorder is about 7-10 business days.

Do students really need to have a check sheet to turn in a degree application?

  • Yes, providing a check sheet makes the graduation process faster. It also states on the application to attach a check sheet.

Are the degree applications online?

How late can a student submit the application?

  • Students NOT participating in commencement- these students can submit their application at any time; however, sooner than later.
  • Students participating in commencement- these students need to submit their application before March 1st to have their name printed in the commencement program book. If they submit after March 2nd, their name may or may not appear in the program book.
  • Also, students who participate in the ceremony will definitely need to submit their application and pick up their cap and gown before April 17th. If they submit after April 17th, their name and degree will not appear on the big screen at the ceremony.