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Graduation and Commencement Overview

Graduation is the official process of earning a degree or certificate that happens each quarter. Commencement is the annual event in June where we celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments along with family, faculty and staff, and the community.

Following are the steps our students and colleges take to prepare for commencement. 

Step 1: Talk with Your Advisor (done by students)

Discuss your academic progress with your advisor. They will help you determine if you are close to completing a credential (certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree) and are able to graduate. 
 

Step 2: Apply to Graduate (done by students)

Graduation is the official process of earning a degree or certificate. When you apply to graduate, advisors and staff in the Registrar’s Office at your college check that all program requirements have been satisfied.

Refer to your college’s graduation website for information about applying for graduation, deadlines, and related information.

Step 3: Registrars Send List of Eligible Graduates to Commencement Committee (done by college staff)

In early May of Spring Quarter, the registrars at each college compile a list of eligible graduates and provide that list to the Commencement Committee. The list is used to develop the commencement printed program and notify graduates about the commencement ceremony.

For reference: Graduate Names Collection Process 2023 
 

Step 4: Commencement Committee Notifies Eligible Graduates About Commencement Ceremony (done by college staff)

Once they receive the list of eligible graduates from the registrars, the Commencement Committee (commencement@seattlecolleges.edu) notifies all eligible graduates about the commencement ceremony. 

An invitation to participate in commencement is extended to students who:

  • Have graduated in Summer Quarter 2025, Fall Quarter 2025, or Winter Quarter 2026, or
  • Will graduate at the end of Spring Quarter 2026 or Summer Quarter 2026. 
     

Step 5: Register for Commencement (done by students)

Commencement is the annual event in June where we celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments along with family, faculty and staff, and the community.

Eligible graduates will receive an email from commencement@seattlecolleges.edu with the link to register for Commencement 2026 starting on Monday, May 4, 2026. The message will be sent to the student's email address on file in ctcLink. The registration process allows you to select the ceremony you want to attend (1 p.m. or 6 p.m.), record your name to ensure it is pronounced correctly, and leave a quote about your experience at Seattle Colleges. Once you register for Commencement, it will activate your StagePass, which is required to cross the stage. Learn more about the registration process.

Note: Commencement for the Class of 2026 will be held Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the University of Washington's Alaska Airlines Arena. 
 

Step 6: Attend Commencement (done by students and everyone)

Attend commencement. A cap and gown are required for all graduates participating in the commencement ceremony. 

When you check in at Alaska Airlines Arena you will receive a printed StagePass card. Bring your printed StagePass card to present before you walk across the stage at commencement.

Full details about the event are available on the Event Information and Updates webpage.
 

Step 7: Receive Your Diploma (sent by colleges)

Graduates will receive their diploma by mail, typically 6 to 10 weeks after the ceremony.
 

Questions?