SCC’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony takes place at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
You have arrived at your big day: commencement. During this ceremony led by the President of SCC, you will walk across the commencement stage dressed in your cap and gown and be recognized for your achievement! Graduates from the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters will be invited to participate.
Participation in the ceremony is not required. However, you must apply to graduate regardless of whether you choose to attend or not. If you do not apply to graduate, you will not receive a diploma. Visit the Graduation page to apply.
You will be invited to the ceremony if at least one of the following is true:
- You graduated at the end of the Summer 2024 term (i.e., you received your diploma already) and did not participate in the Spring 2024 commencement ceremony.
- You graduated at the end of the Fall 2024 semester (i.e., you received your diploma already).
- You have applied to graduate for the Spring or Summer 2025 semester by April 1, 2025.
Commencement FAQ
No. The Commencement Ceremony is a celebration of your graduation and not graduation itself. However, you must apply to graduate to receive your diploma.
If you apply for graduation before the applicable deadlines, you will receive communication by email to your Maricopa Student email account with an invitation to participate. There will be important instructions and deadlines associated with participation, so please be sure to monitor your account.
Yes. Participants will be responsible for the cost of a cap and gown, which must be worn at the event.
Instructions on how to order the cap and gown will be sent to your Maricopa Student email account after your graduation application is processed.
No. At the end of the semester, all graduation applications are reviewed to ensure all academic requirements have been met. Once the review is complete, the award will be posted to your account and will be posted on your official transcript. You will receive an email notification via their Maricopa student email account when this is completed. Your diploma(s) will be printed and mailed 6-8 weeks after the end of the semester. Diplomas are mailed to your home address listed on your Student Center. Be sure your home address in your Student Center is current and accurate.
Distinction cords represent high academic accomplishment reflected by your graduation grade point average (GPA). All courses used to fulfill graduation and degree requirements, including courses from other institutions outside of MCCCD, are used in the GPA calculation at graduation.
Degree-seeking students who have distinguished themselves with GPAs 3.50 and higher are recognized with the following graduation honors and are eligible to receive a distinction cord:
- 3.50 to 3.69 graduation “with distinction”
- 3.70 to 3.89 graduation “with high distinction”
- 3.90 to 4.0 graduation “with highest distinction”
Certificate program graduates are not eligible for institutional honors and distinction cords.
Graduates who qualify can pick up their cords at the annual Grad Bash event or at the commencement ceremony check-in.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the commencement ceremony, please email commencement@scottsdalecc.edu.