Degree or Certificate Completion
Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with requirements and regulations applicable to their degree or certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to see that their enrolled or projected courses bring their credits to the required total. They are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor prior to submitting an application for a BC degree or certificate.
To receive the completed degree or certificate, students are required to file an application two quarters prior to the quarter in which they intend to graduate (see below for specific application deadline), and pay the required nonrefundable processing fee for each application. Complete instructions and application forms available at Enrollment and Registrar Services located in the Student Affairs Building.
Basic Graduation Requirements
- Complete all degree/certificate requirements in the specified curriculum.
- Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all coursework takfen at BC.
- Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better in the courses applied to the degree/certificate, including credits transferred from other colleges*.
- Complete the minimum required residence credits at BC: one-third of the credits applicable toward an associate degree or certificate, or 45 credits applicable toward a bachelor’s degree.
- Submit official transcripts for credits transferred from other colleges.
*All courses for Associate in Occupational & Life Skills (OLS) are Pass/Fail.
Effective Date for Graduation Requirements
Students in professional/technical programs may elect to graduate under the provisions of the official catalog in effect at the time they first started at the college OR at the time they apply to graduate, providing five years have not lapsed and they have remained continuously enrolled at the college. Students in transfer degree programs must follow current degree requirements to ensure their transferability to four-year baccalaureate colleges or universities.
Exception to Graduation Requirements
Exceptions to degree or certificate requirements must be petitioned through the Evaluations/Graduation Office. Approval of exceptions must be obtained from the program chair and the Vice President of Instruction (or designee) where appropriate. For more details of the college policy on exceptions to degree or certificate requirements, visit www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/.
Graduation application deadlines:
| Quarter/Year |
EARLY Review |
LAST DAY to Submit |
| Summer 2017 |
March 15 |
July 27 |
| Fall 2017 |
June 1 |
November 23 |
| Winter 2018 |
October 10 |
March 8 |
| Spring 2018 |
December 10 |
June 2 |
www.bellevuecollege.edu/graduation/
Graduation with Honors
Bellevue College encourages students to achieve the highest level of scholarship in pursuit of their educational goals. Students who have earned an associate degree or certificate of achievement and have achieved high cumulative grade-point averages in all coursework completed at BC will be recognized as follows:
- With Distinction – Cumulative grade point average of 3.50 – 3.74
- With High Distinction – Cumulative grade point average of 3.75 – 4.0
Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree and have achieved high cumulative grade-point averages in coursework completed at BC will be recognized as follows:
- Cum Laude – cumulative grade-point average of 3.60 – 3.79
- Magna Cum Laude – cumulative grade-point average of 3.80 – 3.99
- Summa Cum Laude – cumulative grade-point average of 4.0
The distinction will be included on BC official transcripts, diplomas and the commencement program. Credits transferred to BC from other colleges are not included in the calculation of the cumulative grade-point average for distinction recognition.
Commencement
Commencement is held once a year in June, usually on the last day of spring quarter. Students awarded a degree or certificate of achievement in fall or winter quarter during the current academic year, and those who submitted an application for a degree or certificate of achievement for spring or summer quarter are invited to participate in the June commencement ceremony.
Students who expect to meet graduation requirements during the current spring and summer quarter must meet degree/certificate application deadlines in order to participate in the commencement ceremony. Participation in the graduation ceremony does not imply that the student has met all requirements for a degree or certificate. Notification of graduation approval will be mailed to students by the Evaluations/Graduation Office during the quarter in which the degree or certificate is to be received.
During spring quarter, eligible students are mailed instructions regarding participation in the June commencement ceremony. Students participating in the graduation ceremony must wear commencement regalia approved by the Commencement Committee. The regalia will be provided to graduates at no additional cost, and are normally available at the BC Bookstore in mid-May. Exceptions to commencement
procedures must be approved in advance by the Commencement Committee.
Diplomas
Diplomas are not conferred to students at the commencement ceremony. They are mailed to each graduate at the address listed in the college Student Records approximately twelve weeks following the end of the quarter in which they earned their degree/certificate.
Diploma Name
Diplomas are issued with the student’s name as it appears on the BC’s Student Records and official transcript. It must include the student’s legal first and last name. To indicate hyphens, spaces, lower/upper case letters, accents, or other special characters on your diploma, print it clearly on the degree or certificate application. To change name on the Students Records, students contact the Registration Office with the appropriate legal documentation which may include: marriage license/certificate, court order, divorce decree, passport or permanent visa.
Additional or replacement diplomas may be issued upon a student’s request. A fee is required for a diploma replacement. Contact Evaluations/Graduation Office for instructions and request form.
Degree Verification
Degree or certificate completion is noted on BC official transcripts for qualified students who have applied for a degree or certificate. Notation will be posted to transcripts approximately 2-4 weeks following the end of the quarter in which the degree or certificate is to be received. Degrees and certificates are conferred for the quarter in which the degree/certificate applications are received, not the last quarter when the required coursework are completed.
To request an official BC transcript, or a letter verifying enrollment or degree/certificate completion, contact the Registration Office or visit www.bellevuecollege.edu/services/ for procedures and detailed information.
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