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.

1. Successfully meet requirements of the declared curriculum and
   achieve an overall grade-point average of 2.0 (“C”) for all courses presented to meet the requirements of the declared curriculum. (EXCEPTIONS: Practical Nursing and Therapeutic Massage program requirements are a grade of “C” or better in each course.)
   
2. Complete at least half of the required hours of the declared curriculum
   as a Rend Lake College student.
   
3. 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 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.