Frequently Asked Questions

Graduation is finishing all degree requirements as stated by Columbia College. This process is formally concluded by the approval of a graduation application completed by the graduating student.

University Commencement is a ceremony held each May where the president of the University, the leadership of Columbia College and the whole campus community comes together to recognize graduating students from the prior summer, fall and spring semesters to celebrate this accomplishment. Graduates are encouraged to invite family, friends and supporters to join in the festivities.

Students can apply for graduation in E-trieve. The application is listed under:  Student Forms > EVAL – Apply for associate degree  

There is no cost to apply for graduation. 

Students can apply for Certificates of Achievement in E-Trieve

1.  Select Forms
2. Scroll to Student Section
3. Forms are listed in Alphabetical Order - Go to Eval - Apply for Certificate of Achievement 

Students with a 3.75-4.0 GPA are graduating with distinction.  Students with a 3.50-3.74 GPA are graduating with honors.  

Students can sign up to attend the Commecement Ceremony on their Starfish Account. Click here for a video tutorial on how to sign-up. 

Anyone with an approved graduation application for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026. 

Students with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Sciences, Associate of Arts for Transfer, Associate of Sciences for Transfer, Certificate of Achievement 

Students who have earned Skills Attainment Certificates are not eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Commencement starts at 5:00 p.m.  

Graduates are asked to arrive in front of Oak Pavillion no later than 4:30 p.m. to check-in for the ceremony.  

Photography is allowed at commencement. Attendance constitutes consent to be photographed for use in print and/or electronic publicity for Columbia College.

Professional photography of the ceremony will be provided. Graduates will take photos as they exit the stage. 

Photos will be posted to the website following commencement for students to utilize as they wish.

• Arrive early (between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m.) to find a parking spot and walk down to Carkeet Park. 
  
• Make sure you wear your regalia – cap, gown, and tassel.  
• Graduates will check-in at Graduate Check-In, located outside of Oak Pavililion. 
• Graduates will review a PIC card (Personal Identification Card) with their name and degrees/certificates listed. Graduates will highlight the degrees/certificates they would like read alound as they walk across the stage. 
• Graduates can take photos at the photobooth, too!
• You will be asked to line up in one of three lines: 
  • If you are walking with a faculty or staff member, you will line up in the Graduate + Faculty/Staff Line 
  • If you are not walking with a Faculty/Staff member, you will walk in the Graduate Line 
• As the ceremony begins, graduates will walk into Carkeet Park and will be directed by staff members to your seat. 
• Upon que, graduates will walk to the stage with their PIC Card, hand their PIC card to the reader. 
• You will proceed to the stage, receive your diploma cover, and then upon exit the stage. After your exit, you will take a photo with your diploma cover and head back to your seat. There will be staff members to help guide you. 

Graduates will fill out a Personal Identification Card to include the phonetic pronunciation of their name and ability to select what degree/certificate they would like read when they walk across the stage.  

Yes, it is a long standing tradition for graduates to ask faculty or staff members to walk with them into the ceremony at Carkeet Park. 

No tickets are required to attend Commencement.  

Graduates need to arrive between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m. at Carkeet Park. Guests should plan to be in their seats by 5:00 p.m.  

• The ceremony will last approximately two hours.  
• The procession will begin at 5pm! 
• After the program (including speeches from students, Columbia College's president, and a guest speaker), each graduate goes on stage as their name is read. 
• Professional photographs are taken as the graduate is congratulated. 
• Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.