Graduation

What is Graduation, Commencement and a Diploma?

The following pages contain important information about your graduation from Pima Community College as well as information about the Commencement Ceremony, where you will have the opportunity to celebrate your accomplishment.

Graduation

Graduation occurs once your academic history has been reviewed for all graduation requirements and the administrative process of recognizing your completion is entered into the student information system.  Students are notified by email once a graduation record has been reviewed.  For additional details about the process and your eligibility, please visit the Graduation Candidates & Requirements page.

Commencement Ceremony

The Commencement Ceremony is a College-wide event to honor students that have recently or will soon graduate.  It is an opportunity to celebrate your accomplishment and share a formal display of conferral.  

Participation in commencement is optional and does not necessarily mean a student has met or will meet graduation requirements. 

The Commencement Ceremony is held once a year in May. If you are a graduation candidate, information will be sent to your Pima student email account.  For additional details about the ceremony, please visit the Commencement Ceremony page.

Diploma 

A diploma refers to the official paper document that shows you have graduated from a particular program of study at PCC.  It will include your name, your program of study, date of graduation as well as signatures of our Chancellor and Governing Board Chair.  

We issue diplomas for credit Degrees and Certificates.  You will receive your diploma approximately 9-10 weeks after the end of the term. It will be mailed to the Permanent Address listed in the student information system.  For additional details about diplomas, including process and timelines, please visit the Diplomas page.