Commencement

SCC’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony takes place at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 9, 2024, 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 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024 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 2023 term (i.e., you received your diploma already) and did not participate in the Spring 2023 commencement ceremony.
  • You graduated at the end of the Fall 2023 semester (i.e., you received your diploma already).
  • You have applied to graduate at the end of the Spring 2024 semester by April 10, 2024.

In some cases, students who may be graduating the summer after the commencement ceremony may be welcome to participate in the ceremony.

Commencement FAQ

Yes, the 2024 Commencement Ceremony will be held in person on Thursday, May 9 2024, at 7 pm at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Graduates of the Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024 will be invited to participate. Details will be emailed to graduates’ Maricopa Student Email accounts.

Yes. The 2024 Commencement Ceremony will occur as an in-person event. However, it will also be live-streamed with a virtual component for those unable to participate in person. Guests will be able to attend in-person or watch the live stream.

Yes. Information about this fee will be included in the information that will be sent to your Maricopa Student email account.

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. Additional information will be posted on this webpage when available. There will be important instructions and deadlines associated with participation, so please be sure to monitor your account.

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.

All graduates participating in the in-person ceremony must wear a cap and gown to participate.

The opportunity to purchase caps and gowns online has ended. However, we have a limited supply of caps and gowns available for purchase for $25. Visit Student Business Services in SS-138 or call (480) 423-6148 to make payment and bring your receipt to Grad Bash for pick up.

Grad Bash takes place on Thursday, May 2, from 4 - 6 pm in Two Waters Circle on the SCC campus.

If you qualify for honors, cords will be available at the in-person ceremony check-in table. They are provided according to your SCC graduating GPA if it is 3.5 or above:

  • Highest Distinction: 3.9-4.0
  • High Distinction: 3.7-3.89
  • Distinction: 3.5-3.69

Questions?

If you have any questions about the commencement ceremony, please email [email protected].