Graduation

Graduation is earning your degree or certificate.

To receive your diploma and/or certificate:
Complete a graduation application for each degree or certificate. You can find the graduation application in your myACC student portal. Login, go to the Student page, find the Student Forms card, go to Records & Registration Forms, and you'll find the Graduation Application form. Did you earn a certificate while completing your degree? Apply to receive both!

• ACC will email you a degree audit
• ACC reviews degrees and certificates throughout the semester for those who complete the application
• Application deadlines: (Did you miss a deadline? Apply now.)
  • October 31 for graduation in the fall semester
  • March 15 for graduation in the spring semester and to have your name in the Commencement program
    *We cannot guarantee your name will be in the program if you apply after March 15, 2027.
  • June 30 for graduation in the summer semester

We will mail your diploma/certificate to the home address we have on file. The graduation application has a box for you to check if you have a new address. Not sure you checked the box? You can update and check the address we have on file in myACC, under Personal Information, on the Student tab. *Degrees/certificates will be mailed 4-6 weeks after final grades are posted for the semester in which you complete your program requirements. 

Commencement is the ceremony celebrating you earning your degree or certificate.

RSVP to let us know if you will be a part of the celebration or opt out. Have a question about the ceremony email studentsuccess [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (studentsuccess[at]arapahoe[dot]edu). Watch your email and Navigate360 for updates. Please note, only names of graduates physically attending the ceremony will be announced on the live stream. Deadline to RSVP is 11:59pm Sunday, May 10, 2027.

ACC will cover the cost of your cap, gown, and tassel (including shipping and tax) for graduates participating in the ceremony. Details will be sent to your ACC student email on how to order your cap, gown, and tassel 24 hours after RSVP has been received. Questions? Email studentsuccess [at] arapahoe [dot] edu.

• Bachelor's Degree - Black cap and gown
• Associate Degree and/or Certificate - Purple cap and gown
• All graduates will have a purple / white tassel.
  YES, you may decorate your cap. Check out the Digital Party Pack for ideas.

Information on cords, stoles, or other organization graduation items:

• Graduation Honors (cords) will be provided to students earning a bachelor's or associate degree during check-in for the ceremony. Graduation Honors for the ceremony are based on cumulative Fall GPA.
  • Cum Laude (“with honor”): 3.50 to 3.749 Cumulative GPA
  • Magna Cum Laude (“with great honor”): 3.75 to 3.99 Cumulative GPA
  • Summa Cum Laude (“with highest honor”): 4.00 Cumulative GPA
• Cords, stoles, pins, or other organization and club items will be communicated to you by your advisor or mentor.
  • Shop Online for PTK Honor Society Regalia
  • Shop Online for NSLS Honor Society Regalia

I'm an ACC Alumnus

The ACC Alumni Network will keep you connected to ACC, your fellow graduates, and ACC Services. As a member, we will help you with career services, campus discounts, and networking events.

Graduating is a really big deal! You should be proud of your accomplishments. Tell people! Get your party started with our digital party pack filled with a digital and downloadable graduation announcement, decorations, digital photo props, cap decorating ideas, and more. All of ACC — from your faculty to support staff to administrators — congratulate you! 

Digital ACC Party Pack

*Please be aware of phishing attempts associated with graduation. ACC works exclusively with Barnes & Noble Campus / ACC Bookstore on cap and gown, GradImages on photos, and the University of Denver on commencement DVD. Any other solicitation you may receive is not an offer being made by ACC. tanya [dot] brown [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (Contact us) if you have a question about a specific offer.

Check in for graduates begins at 11:30am. Graduates must be on site by 12:15pm. Doors will open at 11:30am for guests. The ceremony will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are no tickets needed for our commencement. We will also provide a live stream of the commencement ceremony. Please note, only names of graduates physically attending the ceremony will be announced on the live stream. ASL and Spanish translation services will be available. ASL Interpreters will be located on the floor below Section 4. A headset for Spanish translation can be picked up at Section 4. Commencement is for students who earned a certificate, or degree at any time during the academic year. 

At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests must proceed to the west side of The Ritchie Center to be reunited with graduates. Graduates will exit from the lower level of the arena at the soccer and lacrosse stadium.

Family members and guests of graduates do not need tickets for the ceremony. Doors will open at 11:30am. Graduates must be on site by 12:15pm.
ASL and Spanish language translation services will be available at Section 4. Read about Free Parking and the DU Visitor Guide. 

At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests must proceed to the west side of The Ritchie Center to be reunited with graduates. Graduates will exit from the lower level of the arena at the soccer and lacrosse stadium.

The Ritchie Center has a CLEAR BAG policy for graduation ceremonies. Guests who require a diaper bag or bag for medical equipment are permitted to bring a bag no larger than 12 in. x 6 in. x 12 in. All guests entering with medical or diaper bags are subject to visual screening upon entry.  There is no bag check available. Guests will not be allowed to enter with an unapproved bag.

The following items are prohibited within The Richie Center for all events in Magness Arena and Hamilton Gymnasium. 

• Animals (except licensed service animals)
• Artificial noisemakers, air horns, whistles, etc.
• Balloons, confetti, frisbees, balls, other projectiles
• Candles or open flames
• Derogatory/defamatory clothing or signage
• Firearms, weapons, and dangerous devices
• Flash photography, video cameras, recording devises, cameras with detachable lenses
• Fireworks
• Hard-shell coolers, containers, thermoses (including hydroflasks and metal water bottles)
• Illegal drugs or alcohol
• Inflatable objects (beach balls, latex balloons, clappers, etc)
• Laser pointers or other disturbing items
• Outside food and beverages, including empty or full plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cans
• Oversized signs or banners (larger than 28"x22")to include signage with a stick or pole attached
• Other items deemed prohibited by Richie Center and Event Staff

GradImages will be taking photographs of graduates at Commencement as you receive your diploma cover* and as you exit. GradImages® is proud to be the official graduation photographer for Arapahoe Community College. Finding your photos will be easy. You will receive your free photo proofs via email or mail after the ceremony or visit GradImages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more. For assistance, please contact the GradImages Customer Service Department at 800.261.2576.

DU will offer, for purchase, a copy of the commencement video. Forms and information will be available at Commencement. We will provide live a stream of the ceremony. Request a DVD of the ceremony.