Graduation Requirements

Graduation exercises are conducted once a year at the conclusion of the Spring semester. Students who anticipate completing all requirements in their program of study must file an application for graduation with the Registrar’s Office by the published deadline. Student must submit a separate graduation application for each degree, diploma or certificate. Applications are required whether or not you intend to participate in the graduation ceremony. Students must indicate on the Application for Graduation if they plan to participate in the graduation ceremony. Students who do not indicate they are walking in the ceremony will not have tickets reserved. Students who do not apply for graduation by the published application deadline will not have tickets reserved. Students completing the requirements for a diploma or degree are eligible for award of the highest academic credential completed at that time. Separate certificates, diplomas, and/or degrees in one curriculum program will not be issued unless earned in a progressive manner (i.e. the student completes the requirements for a certificate, then diploma, then degree).

Students in continuous enrollment (defined as enrolling Fall and Spring semesters) in the same program may elect to complete the requirements of that curriculum as stated in the catalog at the time of their admission. Students who interrupt their studies or are suspended from a program or the College are required to complete the program requirements effective at the time of readmission.

The College attempts to ensure the relevance of each program through ongoing revision in course offerings and curriculum requirements. In addition, the College may alter programs through actions taken by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. When an educational program has been revised or replaced by a new curriculum or degree program, students may elect to complete the program requirements as stated in the catalog in effect at the time of admission. Students admitted after the adoption of a revised program are eligible for graduation from only the revised program.

Students who have 12 credit hours or less to complete their program requirements and anticipate completing those degree requirements in the summer may participate in the College’s graduation ceremony at the conclusion of the spring semester provided that all degree requirements will be completed at the conclusion of the summer term following graduation. Official transcripts and any other necessary documentation must be submitted with a completed application for graduation before a degree or diploma can be awarded. The following institutional requirements for graduation must be met:

1. All course requirements for the student’s selected curriculum must be successfully completed with at least 25 percent of the curriculum requirements completed through Sampson Community College.
2. No more than 25 percent of the curriculum course requirements must be gained through proficiency examinations or experiential learning credit.
3. A GPA of 2.00 (“C”) must be attained for courses with the student’s program of study.
4. All financial obligations and Library obligations at the College must be met.