Frequently Asked Questions About Graduation

Do I have to submit or notify The Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration to be reviewed for graduation?

No.  Each semester the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration identifies the students who may be completing their Associate Degree.

When will I be considered a potential graduate?

Any student, who will have completed 60 or more credits by the end of a specific semester, is considered a potential graduate.

Once I complete 60 credits, does this in itself entitle me to graduate?

No.  You must fulfill all of the requirements for your Program of Study, have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, and have completed at least 30 credits here at Bucks.

How will I know if I’m considered a Potential Graduate for the semester?

You will receive a Notification of Potential Graduation Eligibility letter in the mail on or about the third week of classes (fall and spring semesters)

What happens if I think I’m going to graduate, but I don’t get the letter?

Contact Gladys York, Graduation Specialist, in the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration.  Phone:  215-968-8118; e-mail:  yorkg@bucks.edu

If I get the letter, does this mean I’ll graduate?

No, we’ll review your record to see if you have completed all of the requirements for your particular Program of Study, including residency (30 credits at Bucks) and c.g.p.a. requirements

Will I be notified if I am not graduating?

Yes.  You will receive a letter informing you that your evaluation was reviewed and that we found you do not meet the requirements for graduation.

How will I know if I do meet all requirements for graduation?

You can review your Academic Evaluation on our website, www.bucks.edu.  Click on Web Advisor and follow the steps out-lined.  After you review your Academic Evaluation, and if you have any questions, please contact your academic advisor.

What if I am completing a Certificate Program?

The Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration also identifies every student enrolled in a Certificate Program and reviews their records for potential program completion. However, many students complete a Certificate Program while they are actively enrolled in an Associate Degree Program of Study, or complete two Certificate Programs at once.  In this case, the student should contact Gladys York, Graduation Specialist, to ensure that your Certificate(s) is awarded correctly and in a timely manner. You can reach Ms. York at 215-968-8118, or by e-mail at yorkg@bucks.edu.

What if I already have an Associate Degree and am completing a second Associate Degree Program?

Bucks County Community College awards only one Associate Degree to a student. However, any student who completes a second degree program will earn a Program of Study award. This credential is posted to your record and appears on your transcript.

Each semester, the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration identifies those semester students who have already earned their Associate Degree and have returned for another program. The student’s record is reviewed for potential program completion.

Is there a graduation ceremony every semester?

No. There are three (3) Graduations each academic year, but only one (1) graduation ceremony.  The graduation ceremony is held in May. Students are reviewed for graduation eligibility and credentials are posted on the following dates:

January 31 . . . . (Fall and Intersession graduates)
May 31 . . . . (Spring graduates)
August 31 . . . . (Summer graduates)

Do I have to attend the Graduation Ceremony?

No

Who can attend the graduation ceremony?

Any student who graduated the previous August or January
Any student who anticipates graduation this May
Any student who will complete program requirements during the upcoming Summer Sessions

What do I have to do if I want to attend?

Order your cap & gown. This will identify you as a student who will be participating in the Graduation Ceremony.

Note: Bucks Graduates wear royal blue caps and gowns with a blackhood. If you intend to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, but will be using the Royal Blue Cap & Gown of a family member who already graduated from Bucks, please notify Gladys York, Graduation Specialist, in the Office of Admissions, Records, andRegistration.

Where do I place my order for my diploma and cap and gown?

Either in the Office of Admissions, Records, Registration, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Friday, 8:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or the Office of the Evening Director, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Saturday, 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Please note that the Office of the Evening Director does not have evening or Saturday hours during semester breaks.

Diploma order forms are also available on our website at http://www.bucks.edu/admission/forms/diplomaorderform.pdf.  Please print the form, complete the form and mail it, fax it (215-968-8110) or hand-deliver it to the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration. Payment must accompany your order. If you are faxing your order to us, please print the credit card information form at http://www.bucks.edu/admission/forms.php and fax it along with your diploma order.

Because we must submit the Cap & Gown forms provided by our vendor, you must order your Cap & Gown in person.

Do I automatically get a diploma?

No students must order a diploma.

What is the fee for a diploma and a cap and gown?

There is a Ten dollar charge ($10.00) for each item. You may a pay by check, cash, or credit card. If you are ordering both a diploma and cap and gown, you may write one check for twenty dollars made out to Bucks County Community College. Please include your student ID number on the check. 

Where do I pick up my Cap & Gown?

You will pick up your Cap &  Gown in the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration.

Dates and times to be determined.

Question:  When is the ceremony? Where is it held? What time? How many guests can I invite?

This May, the Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2010, at Bucks County Community College, Newtown Campus.  The ceremony is set to begin at 6:00 p.m., and will be held in the gymnasium. You will receive five tickets for five guests when you pick up your cap and gown.  If you need extra tickets, please call Carol Brandt at 215-968-8257.

 Will I receive my diploma on the night of Graduation?

No.  You will receive the blue folder which holds your diploma.  We have found that this is the best way to accommodate all students who wish to participate. Some students graduated in previous semester and already received their diploma; other students will not actually graduate until August;  final grades may not be posted for students anticipating graduation in May.

The Commencement Ceremony is held shortly after the end of final exams. In many cases, all final grades have not been posted by the date of the Commencement Ceremony.   It takes approximately, two weeks to complete all processes and review records for actual graduation eligibility.  When your graduation has been posted, you will receive a congratulations letter and an unofficial copy of your transcript.  If you ordered a diploma, you will receive a second letter informing you that your diploma is ready to be picked up.

What do I have to do if I want to take more courses at Bucks after I graduate?

If you are registering for the next semester, simply register during Current Student Registration (spring and fall), or use Mail-In or Walk-In Registration for Summer courses. Registration opportunities are listed on the website each semester.

Once graduation has been posted, you will have to change your major.