Graduation Exercises are held at least annually. Specific requirements for each of the degrees and diplomas awarded by Western Piedmont Community College are listed in the General Catalog. Students applying for graduation shall meet the program requirements of the General Catalog in effect during the year of their original attendance in that program (as long as there has been no break in enrollment) or the General Catalog in effect during the year of their graduation from that program. Students expecting to meet graduation requirements may apply for graduation by submitting a Curriculum Graduation Application form to the Records and Registration department and must fulfill all outstanding financial obligations to the College prior to graduation. Students who have been identified using FinishFirst, that have met all program requirements, will be contacted by the Records and Registration Department to receive their degree and/or diploma and confirm if they plan to participate in the graduation ceremony.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
All students expecting to meet graduation requirements for a degree or diploma must submit a Graduation Application to the Records and Registration department and fulfill all financial obligations to the College prior to graduation. Graduation students are required to meet program requirements outlined in the College Catalog. It is the responsibility of each student to know and meet the graduation requirements of the College in her/his program of study and to maintain the minimum required grade point average. Faculty advisors are available to work with individual students, but the final responsibility for meeting graduation requirements lies within the student.
The following list outlines the minimum requirements for graduation:
- Courses taken more than seven (7) years prior to graduation may not be applicable to certain majors. Final action is taken by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development and validation of competencies may be required by oral or written tests and/or demonstration of skills.
- Students must have a program grade point average of no less than 2.0 to graduate.
- Students must complete at least 25 percent semester credit hours in their program of study at Western Piedmont Community College, including the final 10 semester hours at the institution.
- In no case shall the combined total of any transfer credit hours, credit for prior learning, or course substitutions represent more than 75 percent of the specified number of hours required for the degree diploma toward which students are applying those credits.
- To qualify for any certificate, a student must complete 25 percent of the total semester credit hours of the program at WPCC. Certificates of the same disciplined degree or diploma may not be awarded during the graduating semester or after.
Applying for Graduation
Students may apply to graduate by submitting the Graduation Application form to the Records and Registration Department. Students are encouraged to make an appointment with their Academic Advisor for review.
A preliminary graduation audit will be conducted by the Records and Registration Department. Students will be notified of program completion, or program deficiencies, by email.
Western Piedmont Community College's graduation ceremony is in May. It is optional for all students. Students who are within 9 semester credit hours of program completion in the summer semester may participate in the May graduation ceremony, with the understanding that their name will not be included in marketing or graduation materials.
Conferring of Degrees
Western Piedmont Community College confers degrees three times a year. December (Fall), May (Spring), and August (Summer). Degrees will only be conferred once a student applies to graduate.
Students who do not plan to participate in the May graduation Ceremony, but have been conferred a degree, may pick up their diploma or certificate the following semester in which they have successfully completed their program of study. Students will be notified when their diploma or certificate is ready for pick up.
Reverse Transfer
Western Piedmont Community College participates in the North Carolina Community Colleges Reverse Transfer initiative. Students eligible for degree review are those currently enrolled, as well as future transfer students at participating universities, who transferred from one of the participating community colleges. For more information, please contact the Director of Records and Registration.
Applying for Graduation
Applying for Graduation
Students may apply to graduate by submitting the Graduation Application form to the Records and Registration Department. Students are encouraged to make an appointment with their Academic Advisor for review.
A preliminary graduation audit will be conducted by the Records and Registration Department. Students will be notified of program completion, or program deficiencies, by email.
Western Piedmont Community College's graduation ceremony is in May. It is optional for all students. Students who are within 9 semester credit hours of program completion in the summer semester may participate in the May graduation ceremony, with the understanding that their name will not be included in marketing or graduation materials.
Conferring of Degrees
Western Piedmont Community College confers degrees three times a year. December (Fall), May (Spring), and August (Summer). Degrees will only be conferred once a student applies to graduate.
Students who do not plan to participate in the May graduation Ceremony, but have been conferred a degree, may pick up their diploma or certificate the following semester in which they have successfully completed their program of study. Students will be notified when their diploma or certificate is ready for pick up.
Consistent Enrollment
Students are considered consistently enrolled unless there is a non-enrollment period of two consecutive semesters. Students who have been inconsistently enrolled will be required to complete a new application and possibly update their residency status through the North Carolina Residency Determination Service.
Physical Education Requirement
AA, AFA, AS, and AGE programs require 2 semester hours credit of physical education. Physical Education classes may not be audited.
Reverse Transfer
Reverse Transfer
Western Piedmont Community College participates in the North Carolina Community Colleges Reverse Transfer initiative. Students eligible for degree review are those currently enrolled, as well as future transfer students at participating universities, who transferred from one of the participating community colleges. For more information, please contact the Director of Records and Registration.