Graduation is a significant milestone in a student’s academic journey at River Parishes Community College (RPCC). This section outlines the policies and resources related to applying for graduation, meeting degree and certificate requirements, and participating in the commencement ceremony. Students are encouraged to review these guidelines carefully to ensure they are on track for completion and prepared to celebrate their academic achievements.

Graduation Requirements

1. By the degree conferral date, students must have successfully completed all requirements for the degree(s) being pursued.
2. To satisfy RPCC’s residency requirement for graduation, at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the credit hours for each certificate/degree must be completed at RPCC.

Please note that some degree programs may have graduation requirements in addition to those noted above.

Students should note that meeting GPA requirements for graduation does not guarantee that they will meet GPA requirements for admission into another college or university or into a specific program at another college or university. Students are responsible for obtaining and understanding information about admission into other institutions and their programs.

Any money owed to the College must be paid before students can receive their diplomas.

Catalog Year

Catalog year determines the set of academic requirements that must be fulfilled for graduation. A student will graduate under the Catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment as a degree-seeking student at RPCC. This Catalog may continue to be used by the student, provided enrollment is not interrupted and the student remains enrolled in the same program/major. Enrollment is considered non-continuous (or “interrupted”) if the student does not enroll for a fall or spring semester. A student whose enrollment is interrupted for one or more consecutive regular semesters (fall or spring) may choose no Catalog earlier than the one in force at the time of re-entry. Students may also choose to move into a newer catalog year if desired.

RPCC will make a reasonable effort to honor the curricular requirements in the chosen issue of the Catalog. However, because courses and programs are sometimes discontinued, RPCC shall make the final determination as to whether degree requirements are met.

Graduation Costs and Applying for Graduation

All students pay a $7 Student Services Fee (per credit hour) each semester, as a part of the students’ tuition and fee bill. This fee covers the costs of diplomas and diploma covers. Students attending the commencement ceremony will need to purchase a cap and gown at their own expense. The cap and gown price is set each year by the vendor selected by RPCC.

Applying for Graduation

To begin the application process, students should log into their LoLA account. Students should then click on “Academic Profile” located in the “Academic Links” block. Then, select “Apply for Graduation” from the menu on the left-hand side. Here, students will complete a graduation application. Once the application is submitted, the student will receive an email at the preferred email address confirming that the Registrar’s Office has received their application. Staff in the Registrar’s Office will review the application and the student’s academic record to ensure all graduation requirements have been met.

Graduation Application

Anticipated Graduation	Application Deadline
Fall (December)	October 15
Spring (May)	April 15
Summer (July)	July 15

Students who miss the deadlines above must contact the Registrar’s Office. Late applicants may not have their application reviewed and processed by the commencement date; and may miss having their names appear in the commencement ceremony program or any media outlets.

Earning Dual Degrees

Students may elect to earn two associate degrees at RPCC at the same time provided that the degrees are not of the same program. To earn dual degrees, students must declare an additional program of study through the Registrar’s Office. Additionally, students must meet all degree requirements for both degrees, and earn 15 additional credit hours beyond those required for the degree with the fewest credit hours. Some degree programs offer multiple concentrations. For these programs, the degree may be earned only once.

Completing a Second Degree

Students who have already earned one associate degree from RPCC may choose to earn an additional degree when the second degree being earned is not a duplication of the first. To earn a second degree, students must complete all requirements and earn a minimum of 15 additional credit hours beyond those required for the first degree. Some degree programs offer multiple concentrations. For these programs, the degree may be earned only once.

Non-Terminal Credentials

Non-terminal credentials are awards granted to students while they are pursuing a higher degree. These types of awards will be indicated on the official transcript for students who have successfully completed the credential requirements.

Commencement

The following students may participate in commencement:

• Students who have met all degree requirements and have applied for graduation
• Students who are scheduled to have all remaining degree requirements completed by the end of the summer semester immediately following the commencement ceremony and have registered for the remaining requirements prior to posted commencement registration deadlines.