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STEPS TO GRADUATE

graduation

Graduation Planning

The College of Lake County confers degrees and certificates three times per year at the end of Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Degrees and certificates are awarded approximately one to two weeks after all grades are posted for the term. The Request to Graduate is needed to ensure a student is identified as a prospective graduate so the student’s record is reviewed.

Academic Success Advisors and faculty help students determine if they are meeting or have met the graduation requirements to earn a degree or certificate. Students should contact their assigned Academic Success Advisor through Navigate, or may contact the Advising Center for more information at (847) 543-2060, or in Room B118 on the Grayslake Campus.

Students Planning to Graduate Should Follow the Steps Below:

  1. Meet regularly with your academic success advisor (ASA) to ensure you meeting the requirements for the catalog term you are following and that you are on track to complete your credential.

  2. At the beginning of the semester in which you believe you will complete your degree or certificate submit a Request to Graduate available through the Graduation tile in StudentCenter. Instructions on how to complete this step can be found here.

  3. You will receive the results of the evaluation of your graduation request approximately two to three weeks following your submission. Any follow up conversations following the result of your graduation request should be directed to your Academic Success Advisor.

  4. Make sure to verify your current address is on file with CLC prior to graduation.

Once conferred, the degree or certificate appears on the student’s transcripts (both official and unofficial).

CLC may identify students who have completed a program but have not petitioned to graduate, and “auto-award” the degree or certificate. Students must meet specific criteria to be eligible for an auto-award, and the college does not guarantee all students who have completed their program will be selected. Students should always submit a Request to Graduate when planning to complete any degree or certificate program.

Diplomas

Diplomas are mailed out free of charge to graduates approximately six to eight weeks after the end of the term. Diplomas will be sent via USPS to the address on file. Make sure to verify your current address is correct and on file prior to graduation.

Additionally, upon earning a credential graduates will receive an email and text notification with instructions for electronically claiming a digital diploma.

Duplicate diplomas can be purchased for $15 per diploma. To order a duplicate diploma, go to Parchment and complete the Duplicate Diploma Request Form.

Commencement

A commencement ceremony is held in December and May. To participate in the commencement ceremony, students should submit a Request to Graduate by following the steps mentioned above, and complete additional instructions and next steps at the following webpage: https://www.clcillinois.edu/news-and-events/events/commencement.