FAQs About Commencement
Below, you will find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about commencement and the ceremony on June 21. Click any accordion box below for the answer to the corresponding question.
An invitation to participate in commencement is extended to students who:
- Have graduated in Summer Quarter 2024, Fall Quarter 2024, Winter Quarter 2025, or/
- Will graduate at the end of Spring Quarter 2025 or Summer Quarter 2025.
Two ceremonies will be held on Friday, June 20 — one at 3 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. As a starting point, we encourage graduates to attend the ceremony that matches the area of study of their degree or credential. However, graduates are welcome to choose the ceremony time that works best for them by indicating their preference when they register for commencement.
3 p.m. Ceremony
- Business and Accounting
- Culinary, Hospitality, and Wine
- Education and Human Services
- Health and Medical
- High School and ESL
7 p.m. Ceremony
- Arts, Design, and Graphics
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
- Skilled Trades and Technical Training
- Social Sciences, Humanities, and Language
Read more on the Events Information and Updates page.
If you have specific questions about your academic program or degree or related credits, please contact the registrar’s office at your college:
If you have questions about attending the commencement ceremony, contact commencement@seattlecolleges.edu.
Eligible graduates receive an email invitation to register for commencement in mid-May. Check your email and mobile number on file in ctcLink. When you receive the email, you will be asked to create an account and password and then log in and complete the registration process.
You are eligible to wear a gold honor cord if you fulfill the following GPA requirement for your college:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.8 and above (Central, North)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.5 and above (South)
Your participation in the commencement ceremony is not mandatory. All graduates will receive their diplomas by mail to the address saved in ctcLink. Diplomas will not be distributed during commencement. Contact your registrar’s office directly regarding the mailing of your diploma.
Contact your registrar’s office directly regarding the mailing of your diploma. Typically, spring graduates receive their diplomas by mail approximately 4 to 6 weeks after Commencement. Diplomas will be mailed to the address saved in ctcLink.
The diploma covers you see in photos and videos of the ceremony are ordered specifically for the commencement ceremony. They are given to graduates who walk across the stage at the event. If you did not attend, you will receive your diploma by mail, but the diploma covers are only offered at the ceremony.
If you are eligible to graduate, you will begin receiving messages in May to the email address saved in ctcLink. Check your spam and junk folders for emails from commencement@seattlecolleges.edu. To view an archive of email messages that have been sent to graduates, visit our Event Information and Updates webpage.
Seattle Colleges does not use a ticketing system for guests. There is no limit on the number of guests a graduate may invite. Visit the Information for Guests webpage for additional information.
The International Programs office at your campus often handles these types of requests from international students. It is best practice for students themselves to write a letter inviting their friends and family to commencement to be included in a visa application. You can find the instructions that are given to students for making such a letter on pages 19-20 of this document.
If you have further questions, please contact the International Programs office at your campus for advice on writing these letters and requesting any necessary paperwork.
You are welcome to walk across the stage with your child. We anticipate more than 800 graduates participating and crossing the stage (400 at each ceremony), so please ensure that any additional persons on the ramp do not slow down or impede the ceremony.
There is ADA seating, Alaska Airlines Arena staff can escort you to your seat once you arrive. When you cross the stage during the ceremony, there are ramps leading up to the stage. If you are in a wheelchair, you will enter via one ramp and exit via the second ramp.
Once your guest arrives at Alaska Airlines Arena, staff at the entrance will be ready to assist. Please ushers to request a wheelchair.
Check GradImages.com one week after commencement to view and purchase your professional photos taken during the ceremony.
Note: The most affordable option with GradImages is the 5x7 matte print for $9.99.
Seattle Colleges also had other professional photographers at Commencement 2024. Please feel free to look through the various galleries of photos as they become available and download any you want to keep as personal mementos.
If you have misplaced an item, contact UW Athletics to report your lost item.
Need more information?
Didn't find the information you were looking for? Check out these pages with additional information:
Check these resource first, but if you can't find an answer to other commencement-related questions you have, email commencement@seattlecolleges.edu.