Graduation FAQs

All students who submitted their application will receive an email from the PC Commencement Committee. 

The 2026 commencement ceremony will be located at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Street Address:
1826 W. McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85007

The commencement ceremony takes place on Friday, May 15, 2026, and begins at 6:30 p.m. Students can check in beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Parking at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum is as follow:

•  Graduates participating in commencement will be provided with one parking pass for free. Students will receive communication when they are ready to be picked up in the Hannelly Center, Welcome Desk, prior to commencement. If the pass is not picked up prior to commencement, graduates will need to pay $12 at the Coliseum.
• Additional parking will be available at the Coliseum for a cost of $12 per vehicle.

If you arrive late, accommodations will be made in the best way possible. Please leave early, and check for traffic delays, including freeway closures, in advance.

The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.

There is no limit on the number of guests who can attend the ceremony, and no tickets are needed.

An electronic program will be available online.

The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum (located at the State Fairgrounds) enforces a clear bag policy for events, requiring bags to be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC, not exceeding 12" x 6" x 12". Small clutch purses (approx. 4.5" x 6.5") are typically allowed.

Key Details of the Policy:

• Permitted Bags: Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags (12" x 6" x 12" max) and one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc or similar).
• Prohibited Items: Backpacks, non-clear purses larger than 4.5" x 6.5", luggage, computer bags, and camera cases.
• Exceptions: Medical bags or kits may be allowed after inspection.

It is highly recommended to avoid bringing bags, if possible, to expedite entry.

ASL interpreters will be on stage.

Please contact Disability Resources & Services for accommodations:
   
    Phone:             (602) 285-7477
    Video Phone:   (623) 208-4063
    Email:               drs@phoenixcollege.edu
    Fax:                  (602) 285-7663  

Yes, a professional photography service will be available.  You'll have the opportunity to purchase pictures through GradImages.

The ceremony will also be live streamed for those that cannot attend in person: phoenixcollege.edu/live.

For safety reasons, balloons, confetti, confetti cannons, etc. (or any items of this nature) are not permitted inside the coliseum. There will be a marked, unsecured, designated area for these types of items outside the venue to be retrieved after the ceremony.

You are welcome to bring flowers for your graduate but no glass is allowed in the Coliseum so vases need to stay in the car or at home.

Phoenix College will offer a limited number of free caps & gowns  for only Associate or Certificate (tassels available for a fee) packages for Spring 2026 commencement. Bachelor regalia only available by ordering online.

Stop by the Hannelly Center, Welcome Desk, to see if we have your size in stock for Associate or Certificate degrees.  Regalia for 2026 from Balfour should be placed by April 5 for guaranteed delivery. The last day to order regalia is May 3 from Balfour.

Associate or Certificate - royal blue cap and gown with royal/gold tassel 
Bachelor - gold cap, gown and tassel (Phoenix College does not have any spare Bachelor regalia; it must be ordered)

Place your order from Balfour https://www.buildagrad.com/pcm who will ship the package directly to you.
Pricing: $12.65 for Regalia Package>
Tassel Only: $1.65
Ship to Home Fee: $13.45

NOTE:  Phoenix College does have royal/gold tassels available in the Hannelly Center for $5. 

IMPORTANT
Orders placed less than 4 weeks prior to graduation are not guaranteed to be delivered in time for the commencement ceremony.

Yes, you may decorate your cap. 

However, you must refrain from using offensive, or distasteful decorations.  Phoenix College will ask you to remove your cap if it deems the decorations to be objectionable.  We'll provide you with a replacement cap to wear during the ceremony.

Yes, students graduating with a degree who have earned a 3.5 GPA, or higher, for their degree will receive a gold cord to wear during the commencement ceremony. You will receive the cord when you check in at the commencement ceremony.

Qualifying for a distinction cord: 

• GPA for the ceremony/cords will be calculated based on the previous semester.
• GPA is calculated by the grades for the student's degree. Transfer credits are also included (not cumulative GPA). 
• he final GPA will be calculated when grades are posted and will be reflected on the student’s diploma/transcript. 

Distinction cords are different than designations for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the Phoenix College Honors Program. See the next FAQ for information about regalia related to those programs.

Phi Theta Kappa
The minimum GPA to become a member of PTK is 3.25.  For eligibility and particpation details, visit the Phoenix College Phi Theta Kappa page.  Already a member?  Students may purchase regalia online by visiting the Phi Theta Kappa store:  https://store.ptk.org

PTK regalia must be ordered prior to commencement in order to receive it on time; refer to delivery timeframes at the PTK store.

Questions regarding PTK regalia?  Email [email protected], and indicate your inquiry is related to PTK and Commencement.   PTK designations aren't handled through Admissions, Records & Registration. 

Honors
To qualify as an honors student, graduates must have completed 15 credit hours of honors classes.  They must have also maintained a GPA of 3.5.  Visit the Phoenix College Honors Program page for more information.

Questions regarding Honors regalia?  If you're receiving designations from the Honors Program, contact the program coordinator directly at [email protected].  Honors designations aren't handled through Admissions, Records & Registration. 

Designations for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the Phoenix College Honors Program are different than the designation for students with high GPAs. See the previous FAQ for details related to Distinction Cords, which are automatically disributed to students who've earned GPAs of 3.5, or above.

Yes.  Certificate holders are encouraged to participate.  They should follow the same application process as students who are earning degrees.

Graduation application forms, and submission procedures, are discussed in detail on the Apply for Graduation Page.
To participate in the commencement ceremony, complete the commencement registration form on the Commencement Details & Registration page.

Yes, providing a check sheet will eliminate any chances of your application being denied for missing requirements. 

The check sheet is discussed in detail within Step 2 - See Your Advisor on the Apply for Graduation Page.

Yes, there is now one online application for degrees and certificates. 

The application form, and submission procedures are discussed in detail within Step 3 - Submit Your Application on the Apply for Graduation Page.

Students Participating in Commencement

To meet the priority deadline, apply for graduation and apply to participate in commencement, by March 13, 2026.  Applications submitted later will be processed when received; however, your name may not be printed in the commencement program book or displayed on the screen at the commencement ceremony.

APPLY FOR GRADUATION
Follow the steps on the Apply for Graduation Page.

APPLY TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMENCEMENT
Register online, by completing the commencement registration form on the Commencement Details & Registration page.

Students Not Participating in Commencement

Submit your application at any time.  Follow the steps on the Apply for Graduation Page.

Students who are completing their courses during Summer 2026 can participate in the Spring 2026 commencement. Students who are completing their courses during Fall 2026 can participate in the Spring 2027 commencement. 

IMPORTANT 

Students won't receive their diploma/certificate until all courses and all grades are posted and all financial obligations are cleared to the college.

No, students are not assessed a graduation fee to apply for graduation or a commencement fee to participate in commencement.  

Graduates in need of a duplicate diploma should email [email protected]. 

Costs: 

• Each duplicate diploma: $5 
• Each diploma cover to pick up at the Hannelly Center: $5 
• Each diploma cover to be mailed: $10