APPLYING FOR GRADUATION

All students must apply to graduate by the posted deadline whether or not you wish to participate in the commencement ceremony.  In order to graduate in a specific semester, you must apply within the specified application period.  It is recommended that you apply for graduation in the beginning of the semester in which you plan to complete all program requirements.  Applications received after the posted deadline will be processed for the following cycle. 

Please be sure to submit your application along with your degree evaluation.  If your degree evaluation lists outstanding course requirements you must complete them by the end of the semester in which you are graduating.    

 Applications may be submitted in-person, via fax at 908-704-3442 or by mail to Raritan Valley Community College, Student Enrollment Center, P.O. Box 3300, Somerville, NJ 08876.  

If you do not successfully complete all academic requirements by the end of the semester, you must reapply for graduation within the next semester that you intend to complete your requirements.  You will not be required to pay an additional fee.  

  Click here for the Graduation Application   

 
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Degrees and certificates are awarded three times a year, but there is only one commencement ceremony held in the month of May.  August and December graduates will be invited by mail to participate in the following May ceremony.  If you have applied for graduation by the deadline date, a Cap & Gown form will be mailed to you.  Submission of your cap and gown form to the bookstore indicates that you will participate in the commencement ceremony.  There is no additional cost for your cap and gown.  If for any reason you have not received your form please stop by the Student Enrollment Center.  There are no rehearsals for the ceremony.  Graduates will be notified by mail regarding when and where to assemble or simply visit this site for instructions.

      Click here for the May 2011 Commencement Ceremony Instructions

DIPLOMA

Diplomas are not distributed during the commencement ceremony.  Diplomas are only ordered for students that have met all their degree requirements.  They will be available for pick-up in the Student Enrollment Center approximately two months after degrees have been conferred.  Students will be notified by mail and/or via the Lion's Den Campus Announcement page of the actual pick-up dates.  All financial obligations to the college must be cleared before diplomas are released.  You must present a photo ID when you pick-up your diploma.  If someone other than yourself will be picking up your diploma please provide him/her with a signed letter authorizing them to do so.  He/She must present a photo I

 ELIGIBILITY FOR GRADUATION

In addition to fulfilling all course and credit requirements for their respective program(s), students must also have a minimum grade point average of 2.0, both overall and within their program. Courses numbered below 100 are not applicable toward graduation requirements.  

•   A student who has been continuously enrolled at RVCC must fulfill graduation requirements that were published in the College catalog at the time the student matriculated into the program.  
•   Students who interrupt their studies for more than one year must fulfill the requirements in place when they re-enroll.  
•   Students with a break of more than one year must meet with an academic advisor.  
•   Students who have transferred must complete a minimum of 16 credits of coursework at RVCC to be eligible for an associate's degree, or 25% of the required credits for a certificate program. Students may not transfer more than 45 credits toward an associate's degree or 75% of the required credits for a certificate program including those from other accredited institutions and those earned through other means.  
•   Students who have studied at RVCC and transfer prior to receiving a degree or certificate may transfer back coursework in order to complete graduation requirements, if the degree or certificate program is active at the time of re-admission.  
•   Students whose programs have been discontinued will be permitted two years to complete the program. RVCC will not award degrees for programs that have been discontinued for more than two years. 
•  

  GRADUATION WITH HONORS

  A student meeting the following criteria will graduate with honors:  

•   An overall cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5  
•   A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 based on credits earned and applied toward an associate degree  
•   No grades below a C (including grades that do not count in GPA calculations)  
•   No grades of WF  
•   A minimum of 33 credits in the curriculum of the awarded degree completed at RVCC.  
•   Students with a degree grade point average of 3.5 - 3.79 will graduate Cum Laude (with honor); 3.8 - 3.99, Magna Cum Laude (with high honor); and 4.0, Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor). 
•  

  REPLACEMENT DIPLOMA

A diploma may be reissued if the alumnus submits a Replacement Diploma form  to the Student Enrollment Center.  The fee is $15.00 and is payable by cash (in-person), check or money order (payable to RVC College), Visa, MasterCard or Discover.  Requests that have no payment enclosed, or credit card information listed will not be processed, and will be returned to the sender.  The degree/certificate will be mailed approximately four weeks from the receipt of the request.