> student services > graduation > graduation requirements > a.s./a.a./a.f.a/a.e.s.

It is the student’s responsibility to see that all graduation requirements are satisfied. Students are encouraged to work closely with a counselor or advisor to monitor educational progress through graduation.

The student who elects to earn an Associate in Arts Degree, Associate in Science Degree, Associate in Fine Arts Degree or Associate in Engineering Science Degree must:

1. Earn a minimum of 64 semester hours of credit, including:
   • 55 semester hours in courses which have a second digit of “1”;
     
   • Courses from each of the following areas – communications, health, arts, humanities, mathematics and science and social science;
     
   • A maximum of eight (8) semester hours of one-credit hour PYED courses (PYED 1130, 1131, 1132, 1133, 1140 and 1141 may be taken in addition to this eight-hour maximum);
     
   • No more than nine (9) semester hours of credit from courses with a second digit of “2,” provided the courses have been articulated. (See an academic advisor/counselor for the approved courses).
     
   • Complete a one-credit hour Orientation 1101 course. Students will choose a one-day session on-campus to attend and will then be required to complete an online course.
     
2. Achieve an overall grade-point average of 2.0 (“C”).
   
3. Earn a minimum of 16 semester hours of credit from Rend Lake College.
   
4. A degree or certificate is not automatically conferred upon completion of Rend Lake College curriculum requirements. Candidates must apply for graduation. (See Application Process.)
   • Applications for graduation are available from the Executive Assistant to the Dean of Student Services or online. Graduation application deadlines are:
     First Friday in May – Summer graduation (July)
     First Friday in September – Fall graduation (December)
     First Friday in December – Spring graduation (May)
     
   • Caps and gowns are ordered from the information included on the application for graduation. They may be picked up in the Rend Lake College Retail Store during the week of spring semester final exams.
     
   • Graduation fees and all other outstanding fees must be paid in the Business Office. Fees are the same regardless of participation in the commencement exercises.
     
   • Candidates will receive a status letter indicating that all requirements for graduation have been met or identifying requirements which must be completed in order to receive a degree or certificate. Any deficiencies noted must be corrected and information requested must be provided before a degree will be posted to a student’s permanent record.
     
   • Students may request a transcript and indicate the request is to be held until the degree is posted.
     
   • Diploma covers are distributed at the graduation ceremony; diplomas are prepared after final degree audits have been completed and all degree requirements have been verified. Diplomas will be mailed to the address indicated on the application for graduation.

Candidates for fall, spring and summer graduation are encouraged to participate in the annual commencement exercises held at the end of each spring semester.