For frequently asked questions about the upcoming 2021 Commencement visit our FAQ page.

Plans Subject to Change as Needed, Per Public Health Requirements

HCC’s commencement and pinning ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 15, at Hagerstown Community College in the ARCC. Only students who have filed an application for graduation and have met all requirements including submitting an RSVP will be permitted to participate in the ceremony.

At this time, unless public health guidelines and state mandates require us to change, there will be 3 separate graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 15th - please read carefully for your group:

• 9:30 a.m. - General graduation ceremony for all eligible participants who are NOT in the groups below.
• 12:30 p.m. - Nurses graduation and pinning combined ceremony for graduates of HCC's LPN or RN nursing programs.
• 3:00 p.m. - Health Sciences graduation and pinning combined ceremony for graduates of any of HCC's health science programs.

At this time given COVID activity in our area and the approximate number of graduates each graduate will be given a set number of tickets for guests. The number of tickets given to each graduate will be dependent on which event they have selected to attend. For the 9:30 a.m. Commencement Ceremony each graduate will receive 4 tickets; for the 12:30 p.m. nurses graduation each graduate will receive 6 tickets; and for the 3 p.m. Health Sciences graduation each graduate will receive 6 tickets. Tickets will be collected at the door the day of the event. *Children who are five and under and who can sit on someone’s lap for the ceremony do not require a ticket.

Students who have applied for graduation and indicated they plan on participating in the ceremony MUST complete the following:

• If you are attending: RSVP by Friday, April 16, by submitting the Commencement RSVP Form.
• We will contact you via your student email once your cap and gown arrive and is ready for pick up at the Campus Store. When picking up your cap and gown, you will need to show a Photo ID.
• Tickets for your guests will be with your cap and gown order.
   

Graduation Requirements

Information about graduation requirements and the application process for students earning an associate degree, a certificate, or a letter of recognition can be found on the Graduation Requirements page. This page also includes information for students graduating with honors, those earning multiple HCC credentials, information for reverse transfer students, and instructions on how to complete a program evaluation/degree audit in Self-Service/WebAdvisor.

Applying for Graduation

All students are expected to complete the online Application for Graduation through Self-Service/WebAdvisor to receive a degree, certificate, or letter of recognition regardless of their participation in the graduation ceremony. There is no fee to apply. Before filling out the online "Application for Graduation," students should review their program evaluation through Self-Service/WebAdvisor and/or meet with an academic advisor to determine if all program requirements have been met.

Annual Commencement Ceremony

The Annual commencement ceremony will be held each May and is presided over by HCC’s president. The commencement ceremony is a traditional academic service and signifies the completion of the degree or certificate being awarded. Students completing a degree or certificate program with 30 or more credits are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony. Only students who have filed an application for graduation and have met all requirements will be permitted to participate in the ceremony.