Graduation

Congratulations, you are an ACC Graduate! ACC's Commencement Ceremony celebrates the hard work and dedication of our students. You have focused to earn a certificate, or degree, or both. The annual commencement ceremony scheduled for May 14 and 15, 2021, is for students who earned a certificate, or degree any time during the academic year or if you were a graduate after the Spring semester of 2020. 

You will be eligible to participate in the annual ceremony if you:

• Finished your program requirements during the Spring, Summer or Fall 2020 semester
• Are enrolled for Spring 2021 and will complete all program requirements by the end of the Spring semester
• Will enroll for Summer 2021 and will complete all program requirements by the end of the Summer semester

Before you celebrate, there are a few more 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.

Step1: Apply to Graduate

Apply to Graduate

To receive your diploma and/or certificate:
(If you are a 2020 Graduate and have already received your diploma/certificate, you can skip this step.)

• 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

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.

Step 3: Schedule Your Commencement Time

Students expressed the importance of an in-person ceremony for 2021. While current health and safety guidelines prevent us from having a traditional ceremony, we will conduct a celebratory walk, outdoors, at the Littleton Campus for our 2020 and 2021 graduates. Log in to Navigate to select a 15-minute time slot that works for your schedule Friday May 14 2:00 - 7:00 or May 15 9:30 - 3:00. You will be able to wear your cap and gown, cross the stage, receive your diploma cover*, take photos and maintain physical distancing. *Degrees/certificates will be mailed 4-6 weeks after the ceremony.

This ceremony will meet the guidance and requirements set by health officials. This is not a seated event. Guests are welcome to attend and celebrate with you. All graduates and guests will be required to wear a CDC approved facial covering, complete our On Campus Screening Form, and the graduates party must maintain 6 feet physical distancing from other guests. 
For the Saturday, May 15th Ceremony, please access campus from Santa Fe Drive. Historic Downtown Littleton Main Street will be closed for a parade.

Unable to access myACC, Navigate, participate in Commencement, or have a question? Please complete the Commencement Assistance form. A member of the Commencement Planning team will follow up with you.

Step 4: Order Your Regalia Set

ACC is will provide and ship your regalia set (cap, gown, and tassel) at no cost to you. Beginning April 1, please place your order through the Bookstore. Need help with ordering your cap & gown? View step-by-step instructions. Orders will begin shipping the week of April 19. Black cap / gown for bachelor’s degree; purple cap / gown for associate degree and/or certificate. All graduates will have a purple / white tassel.
Orders received through May 9 will be shipped to you. Orders received starting Monday, May 10 must be picked up at the Bookstore on the Littleton Campus.
Orders for Graduates outside the Denver Metro Area will be shipped Monday, May 10.

Step 5: Join the Alumni Association

I'm an ACC Alumnus

The ACC Alumni Association 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. Though this year will look different than what you probably had in mind, you've earned a celebration. Get your party started with our digital party pack filled with a 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

Commencement Day

Parking will be available in Lots A, E, F and G.
For the Saturday, May 15th Ceremony, please access campus from Santa Fe Drive. Historic Downtown Littleton Main Street  and adjacent streets will be closed for a parade.

Please check in :15 minutes prior to your start time at the tent just off Parking Lot G.  Honor Cords will be distributed at check in. You and each member of your party will need to complete the On-Campus Symptom Screening form. State and CDC Guidelines for schools and higher education require a CDC approved face covering be worn indoors and outdoors during events. As you move from tent to tent,  stay with your party and maintain 6 feet social distancing from non-household contacts. We will have extra masks available at check in.

GradImages will be taking photographs of graduates at Commencement as you receive your diploma cover* and as you exit. Family and friends can take photographs from the Summit Room. 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.

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