Graduation Information

2023 Commencement Ceremony

Friday, May 12, 2023, 3:00 p.m.

Click here to complete your graduation survey now!

Applying to Graduate

All students, regardless of program, must apply to graduate at BCC, via Self Service.  Graduation Applications are only accepted during the semester during which you will complete your program (though Summer students can apply during the Spring semester).  Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on the stated deadline.

If graduating at the end of the Fall term, graduation applications are due to the Registrar’s office by September 15.

If graduating at the end of the Spring or Summer term, graduation applications are due to the Registrar’s office by February 15.

In accordance with state and federal policy, a student will only be graduated from the highest-level status within a program in a given semester (i.e. An Associate in Arts student will only be awarded the A.A. degree, but not both the A.A. and Core Diploma in Arts. He or she may, however, receive both an A.A. and A.S. degree in a given semester.).

Cap & Gown Orders

To participate in the graduation ceremony, students must purchase a cap, gown, and tassel. These are available for ordering through the BCC Bookstore. The cost of cap and gowns is usually approximately $45, including tax. Students with a significant financial hardship which may prevent them from purchasing a cap and gown to participate in graduation should stop by the Office of the Registrar for more information.

Graduation Ceremony

BCC has one graduation ceremony per academic year in May for all graduates. Summer graduates are permitted to participate in graduation, provided they are registered for the last courses necessary to complete their program(s).

The graduation ceremony is not a certification of your graduation from the college, as your final grades and readiness for graduation must still be evaluated, and all outstanding debts to the college must be resolved before your are designated a “graduate” of the college for employment and educational purposes.

Graduation Honors

BCC bestows upon graduates a series of graduation honors, recognizing academic achievement and membership in certain student organizations or activities on-campus.
Academic Achievement:  Students graduating from associate degree or diploma programs of study are eligible for the following graduation honors, based upon his/her cumulative program GPA at the conclusion of the fall semester:

Associate Degree Graduates’ Honors:  The President’s Award is given annually to one associate degree graduate with the highest cumulative GPA among the pool of graduates. In the event of a tie, the number of credit hours and programs of study completed at the College are used to determine the recipient. This individual is recognized during the graduation ceremony and is presented with a keepsake in recognition of his/her achievement.

• Summa Cum Laude or “with highest honors”:  A student graduating with a cumulative GPA of a 3.90 or higher in his/her program of study
• Magna Cum Laude or “with high honors”:  A student graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 to 3.89 in his/her program of study
• Cum Laude or “with honors“: A student graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 to 3.74 in his/her program of study
• Honor Graduate:  A student graduating from a diploma program with a cumulative GPA of a 3.50 or higher in his/her program of study

The above honors are both noted in the graduation program and on the student’s printed credentials. Graduation ceremony participants are additionally provided with one gold honor cord to wear with their regalia, regardless of if he/she has completed more than one program of study with “honors.”

Other Distinctions:  Honor cords or stoles are provided (at no cost to the student) to those who elect to participate in the graduation ceremony and are part of the following student organizations or activities on-campus:

• Brunswick County Early College
• National Technical Honor Society
• Phi Theta Kappa
• Student Government Association
• Varsity Athletics
• Veteran

Note: Students should not order cords and other items from their organization of the College’s cap and gown provider (other than for a personal keepsake). To ensure uniformity, graduates are only permitted to wear College-issued honor cords and stoles.

Students who do not wish to participate in the graduation ceremony, or wish to obtain duplicate cords for display purposes may do so after the graduation ceremony at cost.

GED®/Adult High School Diploma Students

To participate in the graduation ceremony, you will also be required to purchase a cap and gown during the ordering dates. However, you will not submit an Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar. Please contact Foundational Studies at 910.755.7386 for more information on how to apply.