You’ve worked hard and your achievement deserves to be celebrated. Whether you’re applying for graduation, preparing for commencement or both, this page will guide you through the next steps.
Graduation vs. Commencement
- Graduation = completing all requirements and being officially awarded your degree, diploma or certificate (requires a graduation application).
- Commencement = the annual ceremonies celebrating graduates (requires a separate RSVP).
You must apply to graduate whether or not you attend the ceremony.
Graduation Application & Deadlines
Students should apply for graduation prior to the advertised deadline during the final semester of their program. Students can submit a graduation application online in myCCTC or complete the Graduation Application Form.
Deadlines
Fall Graduates: December 1
Spring & Summer Graduates: April 1
Students who apply after the deadline may not be published in the Commencement program.
Graduation Requirements
To satisfy requirements for graduation, students must:
- Submit a Graduation Application.
- Complete all required courses for the curriculum program, including electives.
- Earn a program grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
- Complete at least 25% of the required courses at CCTC. (Some programs have more stringent residency requirements. In addition, no more than 50% of the total credit hours in the program can be awarded for advanced standing.)
- Fulfill all financial obligations, including all fees and the return of all books and materials to the library.
Note: Refer to the College Catalog and Handbook for a detailed list of graduation requirements.
Awarding and Mailing of Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates
Degrees, diplomas and certificates are posted to a student’s academic record after final verification that all graduation requirements have been met.
Degrees, diplomas and certificates will be mailed to graduates within one month of program completion providing the student has submitted a graduation application. Graduates should ensure their mailing address is correct on their academic record. Students may verify their address by clicking the Student page in myCCTC. (Student page > Enrollment & Financial Services > Student Profile)
The name listed on your academic records (legal name) is the name that will appear in the Commencement program and on your degree, diploma or certificate. If you desire to change your name, official documentation is required and should be presented to Student Records. If your name is changed after your award is produced, you will be required to pay a $25 fee for an award with your updated name.
Contact Student Records at (803) 778-6654 or records@cctech.edu if you have a question regarding an address or name change.
Graduation Honors
Graduates achieving a cumulative GPA of:
- 3.500-3.699 will be designated as Cum Laude
- 3.700-3.899 will be designated as Magna Cum Laude
- 3.900-4.000 will be designated as Summa Cum Laude
Graduates who achieve graduation honors will have the honors notation on their degree, diploma or certificate and graduates who achieve graduation honors in the fall and/or spring semester are recognized during the annual commencement ceremony.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
PTK members in good standing will have PTK beside their name on the Commencement program and will be eligible to wear the Phi Theta Kappa stole and tassel during the graduation ceremony.
Financial Aid Federal Loan Exit Counseling
Financial Aid Federal Loan Exit Counseling
Students who have received a subsidized, unsubsidized or PLUS loan(s) under the Direct Loan Program must complete exit counseling when they graduate or leave the college. To prevent delays in acquiring transcripts after graduation, students should complete the Federal Loan Exit Counseling within 30 days prior to graduation.
Central Carolina Technical College looks forward to welcoming families and friends to the annual Commencement ceremonies as we recognize and celebrate the academic achievements of our students.
Commencement ceremonies are held annually in the month of May at the conclusion of the spring semester. Students must have completed their program in the fall or be pending completion for spring or summer in order to participate.
COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION FOR 2025–2026
CCTC’s 62nd Commencement Ceremonies will take place on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Sumter County Civic Center.
CEREMONY TIMES BY AREA OF STUDY:
- 10 a.m. – Accounting and Management, Computer Science, Criminal Justice and Paralegal, Early Care and Education, Human Services, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, Environmental Engineering Technology and Natural Resources
- 3 p.m. – Arts and Sciences, Nursing and Health Sciences
Note: Ceremony time for General Technology graduates is determined by the student’s primary specialty.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY?
- You must have completed your program in fall 2025 or be pending completion for spring or summer 2026.
- You must RSVP by Friday, April 24 in order to participate in the ceremony. (RSVPs open on March 1st.)
COMMENCEMENT DAY REMINDER
- Graduates must arrive by 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ceremony or 2 p.m. for the 3 p.m. ceremony. Graduates should check in upon arrival at the designated check-in tables located on the left side when entering the Sumter County Civic Center.
Note: There is no graduation rehearsal so it is important to arrive one hour prior to the ceremony.
ADMISSION OF GUESTS
- Admission tickets are not required.
- Guests should arrive and be seated before the beginning of the ceremony. Guests arriving after the ceremony begins will be asked to wait outside until after the processional.
GRADUATION REGALIA
- Graduates should come dressed in business casual attire under regalia (navy blue gown, cap and tassel). Regalia may be purchased at the Campus Store. You may wear a stole that represents your major, student organization, culture, etc. Stoles are optional and may be purchased on Amazon or from a graduation retailer of your choosing.
- Graduates participating in the ceremony who meet one or more of the criteria below will be given a graduation cord upon check-in at the ceremony:
- Graduates designated with Graduation Honors will receive a gold cord.
- High school students completing a program upon high school completion will receive a white cord.
- Veterans and Active Duty Military graduates will receive a red, white and blue cord. (If you do not have a Military Verification Form on file with Admissions or are not currently receiving VA benefits for tuition, you must present your Military or VA ID or DD214 to Student Records or Veterans Affairs prior to the day of the ceremony in order to receive a cord at check-in).
Note: The graduation cords listed above are the only cords authorized to be worn at the graduation ceremony.
