Graduation
Did you know that degrees and certificates are not automatically awarded when you complete your program requirements?
What is Graduation?
Graduation is the official process of earning a degree or certificate that students can achieve any quarter of the academic year. Graduating is required for a degree or certificate to appear on your transcript.
Graduation Dates and Deadlines
The graduation application submission deadlines are listed below*:
| Graduation Term | Graduation Application Opens | Graduation Application Submission Deadline | Diplomas Available |
| Winter 2025 | November 18, 2024 | March 12, 2025 | End of April 2025 |
| Spring 2025 | March 3, 2025 | June 9, 2025 | End of July 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | June 2, 2025 | August 8, 2025 | End of September 2025 |
| Fall 2025 | June 2, 2025 | December 3, 2025 | End of January 2026 |
| Winter 2026 | November 24, 2025 | March 11, 2026 | End of April 2026 |
| Spring 2026 | March 2, 2026 | June 8, 2026 | End of July 2026 |
*Dates are subject to change to align with the academic calendar.
If you missed an open graduation application term, please contact your advisor/counselor or a completion coach.
Please follow these steps in order to complete the graduation application process:
- Meet with your Advisor when you have two quarters left to confirm academic progress
- Confirm your program in ctcLink
- If your program is not correct, contact your Advisor to update before completing the online graduation application.
- Confirm you have no outstanding balances
- Confirm official transcripts from any previous college(s) have been sent to and processed by South
- Complete graduation application through the ctcLink Student Self-Service Portal
- For step-by-step help, please view the instructions on how to apply.
- You will only be contacted if there are issues with your graduation application.
- Confirm your mailing address in ctcLink. For step-by-step help, please view the instructions to update your address in ctcLink.
Graduation application processing begins after grades have been posted for the current quarter. Your graduation status will be updated in the Academic Progress tile in your ctcLink Student Homepage. You will also receive updates through your ctcLink Message Center.
If you are interested in attending commencement, please visit the Seattle Colleges Commencement website to RSVP and find detailed information about the day-of logistics. You will be required to order or rent a cap and gown and can find more information in the left navigation pane.
If you are transferring, remember there are additional steps to ensure you’re ready to start your next educational journey from filing a FAFSA (or WASFA) to ordering official transcripts to be sent to your transfer school. Please contact the Transfer Advisor or Completion Coach for support.