As you prepare for graduation and the commencement ceremony, you probably have some
questions. We are here to help!
Learn more below about the graduation process, the commencement ceremony, and everything
in between!
You must apply for graduation to receive your degree or certificate, even if you don’t plan to participate in the commencement ceremony. You worked hard to earn your credential – applying for graduation is the final step before you get to display your diploma!
Students must submit a graduation application. Learn more about the graduation process on our graduation webpage.
That depends on which semester you are taking for final classes. Deadlines to apply for graduation are:
For information about graduation/degree auditing, including if you need to update your address, send an email to records@pikespeak.edu.
You will receive periodic letters and emails that list how your degree/certificate will be printed on your diploma after the Records office has processed your graduation audit.
Your degree/certificate will be posted to your official transcript approximately 4 weeks after the end of the current semester.
Diplomas are not issued at the Commencement Ceremony. Diplomas and certificates will be mailed to the address provided on your application for graduation approximately 8 weeks after your degree is posted to your transcript. It is your responsibility to make sure the address you provide will be valid at that time.
If you have unmet requirements, we will keep your application on file for one semester and check your records during that time to determine if the degree/certification requirements have been met.
After one semester has passed and degree requirements remain unmet, you must re-apply for graduation.
View the Graduation webpage to get more details on the process, how to apply, and more. If you still have questions, email the Records team at records@pikespeak.edu.
The most up-to-date information regarding the commencement ceremony can be found on the commencement webpage.
If you have submitted a graduation application and indicated that you intend on participating
in the ceremony, you will receive periodic email communication with important information
to the email address that you provided on your graduation application.
If you indicated that you do not want to participate in the ceremony but have changed
your mind, complete the Commencement Ceremony Registration Form. Note: This form is only to change your intent to participate in the commencement ceremony.
It is NOT a graduation application.
Email commencement@pikespeak.edu with questions.
No, participation is not mandatory, but we encourage you to take part in this special day. You've earned it, and we can't wait to celebrate with you!
When you submit your graduation application, you will be asked to indicate if you want to participate in the ceremony.
If you have already submitted your graduation application and indicated that you do not want to participate in the ceremony but have changed your mind, complete the Commencement Ceremony Registration Form. Note: This form is only to change your intent to participate in the commencement ceremony. It is NOT a graduation application.
There is no official deadline for registration. However, if you want your name printed in the program, you have until April 1st to let us know that you plan to attend. After that date, you are still encouraged to attend, but your name and degree/certificate will not be included in the PPSC Commencement program that will be distributed at Commencement. Deadlines are announced via email once you apply for graduation.
The only cost the student is responsible for is the one-time purchase of your cap, gown, and tassel, which can be purchased in person or online at the PPSC Bookstore . You may elect to also purchase invitations and other add-ons, but otherwise there are no other required costs associated with the ceremony.
If financial hardship is preventing you from participating in commencement, please email us at commencement@pikespeak.edu for assistance.
You can attend the Commencement Ceremony for a certificate, a degree, or any combination the two. You must apply for graduation to initiate the awarding of a degree/certificate. Your degree/certificate will be awarded upon confirmation via your degree audit.
PPSC only holds one Commencement Ceremony per year, which takes place in May at the end of the spring semester. You can participate in this spring ceremony if you:
Yes, however your participation in the Commencement Ceremony does not guarantee award of degree or certificate. Degree/certificate will be awarded with confirmation of degree audit.
Please contact international@pikespeak.edu to receive communication confirming graduation.
Academic regalia is the traditional form of clothing for commencement ceremonies. It usually includes a cap, gown, and tassel.
Please order your cap and gown via the PPSC Bookstore . Their associates will notify you when the order is ready for pick-up or has shipped. Students are responsible for the costs, which are detailed on the ordering site.
You can pay to have your order shipped to your house if you cannot pick it up at the
PPSC Bookstore.
Be sure to watch for deadlines!
If financial hardship is preventing you from participating in commencement, please email us at commencement@pikespeak.edu for assistance.
Yes, you can wear your own cap and gown, but only if they are black. They do not need to be approved beforehand. You may want to purchase a tassel at the PPSC Bookstore .
Alternate year number charms for your tassels may be available to order. Please contact the PPSC Bookstore to see if they can accommodate this request.
Yes! You may decorate your cap any way you like for this momentous occasion. We can't wait to see what you come up with!
For student clubs, organizations, and programs, contact your club advisors for information about cords.
Honor Cords are distributed as you check-in to the venue on the day of commencement. Make sure to verify your GPA to ensure you receive the correct cord for your academic achievement:
Since there is no specific regalia for certificates at this time, choose the Associates Degree package.
We will not be mailing out diploma covers, honor cords, or any other materials associated with Commencement.
You can pay to have your regalia order shipped to your house if you cannot pick it up at the PPSC Bookstore.
Yes, you will be given a few opportunities to "capture the graduation moment" in your official academic regalia. A GradImages photographer will be available during the Ceremony to take graduate portraits.
When you register for GradImages before commencement day, you will get 20% off of your official photography purchase.
Yes, the Commencement Ceremony will be recorded and posted to the Commencement website within a month following the ceremony.
The length of the ceremony varies depending on the number of students participating, but you should plan for it to last around two (2) hours once the ceremony begins. We individually call every participating student’s name to honor their work and effort.
Yes, no matter when your name is called, be prepared to stay until the ceremony has ended. This is a time for celebration of you and your peers’ accomplishments, so sit back and enjoy the festivities!
There is no formal dress code for guests, however, business casual is recommended.
You should wear appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear, bearing in mind you will be walking throughout the ceremony and will have to stand for prolonged time.
If you are participating in the ceremony, you must wear a cap, gown, and tassel.
Mark your request for accommodations in the graduation application.
If you did not indicate your need for accommodations reply to the Commencement emails as prompted, or email us at commencement@pikespeak.edu.
You can also contact Accessibility Services via their webpage to ensure your accommodations are set.
On the day of Commencement when you check-in, you will receive a card to fill out with your name and, if applicable, the phonetic spelling of your name. You will keep this card with you the entire time, and once you are prompted to line up to walk across the stage, you will hand this card to the announcer and they will read your name. Other details, such as the degree(s)/certificate(s) you are graduating with, will not be announced as you walk across the stage.
Yes, you may take photos during the ceremony. However, family members and guests will not be allowed on the floor during or after the ceremony. They will be able to reunite with you after the ceremony, at which time they may take photos.
The Commencement webpage will have the most up-to-date information on the Ceremony. In addition, we will provide information to students who are registered to attend the ceremony via email leading up to the event.
This is a time for celebration, and there will likely be high spirits and lots of action surrounding the event. Once you arrive at the ceremony venue, please pay attention to signage, helpers, and PPSC Faculty & Staff as they direct you through the ceremony.
We are so proud of our graduates and look forward to sharing this special day with you!
Parking for students and guests is available free of charge at the Commencement Ceremony venue.
Disabled parking is available at the Commencement site. A valid disabled parking sticker or hang tag is needed for disabled parking and these spaces are available on a limited basis. It is advisable that you provide a wheelchair for your guest(s) if they have any mobility issues and/or drop off your guest(s) with an escort prior to parking.
PPSC does not provide transportation for students to the ceremony venue, however we encourage our students to consider public transport options on google maps.
Every effort has been made to comply with ADA accessibility guidelines to accommodate patrons with disabilities. In all ceremony venues it is advisable that you provide a wheelchair for your guest if they have any mobility issues due to health, age, or other.
You may bring a cell phone into the venue as long as it remains on silent and on your person, but do not bring purses, cameras, etc., as there will be no place to store them. Please leave them with your friends or family, or in your car, as none of these items will be permitted on the ceremony floor. We will not be responsible for items left behind.
No, please make accommodations for your child(ren) elsewhere or be sure someone accompanies your child(ren) throughout the ceremony
Remember, no family members or guests are permitted on the graduation floor during the ceremony.