Graduation

Congratulations, you are an ACC Graduate! ACC's Annual Commencement Ceremony celebrates the hard work and dedication of our students. It is time to celebrate the degree or certificate you have earned. ACC's 58th Annual Commencement Ceremony will take place Friday, May 16, 2025 at 1:00pm at Magness Arena within the Ritchie Center on the University of Denver Campus. There will be free parking in specific campus lots. DU has a list of prohibited items allowed at commencement (listed below). Check in for graduates begins at 11:30am. Graduates must be on site by 12:15pm. Doors will open at 12pm 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. 

You are eligible to participate in the annual ceremony if you:

• Finished your program requirements during the Fall 2024 semesters
• Are enrolled for Spring 2025 and will complete all program requirements by the end of the Spring semester
• Will enroll for Summer 2025 and will complete all program requirements by the end of the Summer semester

Attend a Grad Fair!

Spring Grad Fairs:
Wednesday, February 26 from 11am-1pm and 4pm -6pm at the 2nd floor Atrium of the Littleton Campus
Thursday, February 27 from 11am-2pm in the student lounge of Sturm Collaboration Campus at Castle Rock

Steps to Graduate

Before you celebrate, there are a few steps you need to take to receive your diploma / certificate and take part in ACC’s Commencement Ceremony. What is the difference between graduation and commencement? Graduation is earning your degree or certificate. Commencement is the ceremony celebrating you earning your degree or certificate.

Step 1: Apply to Graduate
Graduation is earning your degree or certificate.

Apply to Graduate

To receive your diploma and/or certificate:
Complete a graduation application for each degree or certificate. 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
• Application deadlines: (Did you miss a deadline? Apply now.)
  • June 30 for graduation in the summer semester
  • 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, 2025.

Step 2: Confirm your mailing address

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. 

Step 3: Confirm you will participate in Commencement 
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. Create a grad slide that will celebrate YOU and run on Campus TVs and the Magness Arena Jumbo Tron for your families and friends to see at the Ceremony. Please note, only names of graduates physically attending the ceremony will be announced on the live stream. Deadline to RSVP and create a grad slide is 5pm Friday, May 9, 2025.

Step 4: Plan to Order Your Regalia Set

ACC will cover the cost of your cap, gown, and tassel (including shipping and tax). Order your cap, gown and tassel through the Bookstore by Friday, May 9, 2025. Need help with ordering your cap and gown? View step-by-step instructions. 

Bachelor's Degree - Black cap and gown
Associate Degree and/or Certificate - Purple cap and gown
All graduates will have a purple / white tassel.

Please Note: The Bookstore is updated Monday-Friday with student information based on RSVP to participate in the ceremony. Please allow up to 5 business days after you have RSVP'd to order. Questions? Contact tanya [dot] brown [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (subject: Commencement%20Ceremony%20Question) (Commencement Ceremony Questions).

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.

Step 5: Join the Alumni Network

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.

Step 6: Plan to celebrate! 

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 Follett/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. Contact us if you have a question about a specific offer.

Commencement Day

Family members and guests of graduates do not need tickets for the ceremony. Doors will open at 12pm. Graduates must be on site by 12:15pm.
ASL and Spanish language translation services will be available at Section 4.
Read the DU Visitor Guide. (We anticipate this will be the same guide for 2025)

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

• The Ritchie Center has a NO 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.
• 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, fireworks, or other harmful items
• Flash photography, video cameras, recording devises, cameras with detachable lenses
• Fireworks
• Hard-shell coolers, containers, thermoses
• Illegal drugs or alcohol
• Inflatable objects (beach balls, latex balloons, clappers, etc)
• Laser pointers or other disturbing items
• Outside food and drink, including empty or full plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cans
• Oversized signs or banners (larger than 28x22) or signage with a stick or pole attached
• Other items deemed prohibited by Richie Center and Event Staff

At the conclusion of the ceremony, guest 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.
Free Parking

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.

Congratulations Pumas! We can't wait to celebrate with you!