What’s the difference between graduation and commencement?

Graduation is the act of completing the requirements and receiving a degree in a student’s chosen program. Commencement is the ceremony celebrating students who are graduating.

Do I have to attend the commencement ceremony to graduate?

Graduates are not required to attend the commencement ceremony held each May. However, they are strongly encouraged to attend as recognition of their accomplishments. The degree or certificate will be conferred at the end of the semester the coursework is finished, and a diploma will be mailed to the graduate.

When will I receive my diploma?

Diplomas are typically mailed 4-6 weeks after the last day of the term. Therefore, graduates will not receive official diplomas at the commencement ceremony. Please note that the college cannot confer a degree and mail a diploma until it has been verified the student has passed all courses and meets all requirements to graduate.

Where will my diploma be sent?

Diplomas will be sent to the address each graduate has on file at OTC. Students can update their address by going to their My Contact Information page in myOTC. Address changes must be received by the last day of classes for the semester a student graduates.

What if I move after I graduate?

Graduates who change their address after graduating, but before they receive their diploma, should submit a forwarding address order with the US Postal Service to ensure their diploma will be delivered to the new address.

How do I request a duplicate diploma?

Students who need to order a duplicate diploma, can order one on the duplicate diploma website.

I need my diploma for a job, how do I get it sooner?

Diplomas are ceremonial documents, suitable for framing and hanging on the wall as recognition of the accomplishment at OTC. They should never be used to verify a degree with another institution or prospective employer. Graduates can request an official OTC transcript, or request a Degree Verification through the National Student Clearinghouse.

What if I didn’t pass all my classes?

If a student didn’t meet all requirements to graduate, they can still enroll the following semester without re-applying to OTC. They will only re-apply to graduate in their final semester.

Can I graduate with more than one degree?

OTC has a policy regarding graduating with more than one degree. For more information, visit the Degree and Certificate Overview section of the current OTC Catalog or visit your Academic Advisor/Student Success Navigator.

What does it mean to graduate with scholastic honors?

A special distinction is awarded to students who demonstrate high academic performance in completing a certificate and/or associate degree. Scholastic honors are conferred according to the requirements in effect at the time of admission to OTC (or at the time of readmission if the student was not enrolled for more than one calendar year). Upon completion of your academic program, scholastic honors will be granted based on the OTC Cumulative grade point average. To view the possible scholastic honors and their respective GPA requirements, see Scholastic Honors. Scholastic honors will be posted to the transcript and diploma.

How are Scholastic Honors determined for the Commencement Ceremony?

All students attending the spring Commencement Ceremony will have their eligibility for scholastic honors for the commencement book and name card determined based on their current OTC cumulative GPA at the time those documents are printed. Since spring semester grades are not yet available, they cannot be included in that calculation. Scholastic honors are re-calculated once grades for the spring semester are finalized, which may add or remove a student from the list of scholastic honors after the commencement ceremony. The final determination regarding eligibility for scholastic honors is made at the time the degree or certificate is conferred, and any scholastic honors earned will be listed on those documents.

I’m in the OTC Honors Program. Does this mean I will graduate will scholastic honors?

While maintaining the 3.5 cumulative GPA required to participate in the Honors Program will make you eligible to graduate with scholastic honors, scholastic honors are separate from the Honors Program. The Honors Program is designed to help high achieving students get the most out of their college experience and requires students to complete honors courses at OTC, whereas graduation scholastic honors are an acknowledgment of a student’s overall body of work upon completion of an academic degree or certificate.

I made an academic honor list. Does this mean I will graduate with scholastic honors?

While maintaining a GPA eligible for making an academic honor list throughout your whole academic program will make you eligible to graduate with scholastic honors, academic honor lists recognize academic performance only for the semester in which they are awarded. I.e. academic honor list recognitions are awarded based on academic performance for a single semester, while graduation scholastic honors are awarded based on performance for all courses taken to complete a degree or certificate program.

I’m a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Does this mean I will graduate with scholastic honors?

While maintaining the 3.5 cumulative GPA required for Phi Theta Kappa membership will make you eligible to graduate with scholastic honors, scholastic honors are separate from Phi Theta Kappa. Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the official honor society for two-year colleges. OTC has a local chapter led by student officers with staff support. Though maintaining Phi Theta Kappa membership through graduation is a distinctive honor that will appear on your transcript, graduation scholastic honors are a separate acknowledgment of a student’s overall body of work upon completion of an academic degree or certificate.