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Graduation/Commencement Information
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
One of the final and most exciting steps a student takes at Folsom Lake College is graduating! Folsom Lake College holds one commencement ceremony a year at the end of the spring semester (May). August and December graduates are encouraged to attend the ceremony the following May. For the 2009-10 academic year, the commencement ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19, 2010.
INFORMATION FOR DEGREE/CERTIFICATE CANDIDATES
It is the student’s responsibility to file a Petition for Degree or Certificate with a counselor by the deadline date as follows (please see current catalog for exact date each semester):
Fall semester by the 1st Friday of October
Spring semester by the 1st Friday of March
Summer term by the 3rd Friday of June
Awarding of degrees and/or certificates is not an automatic process. You must make a one-hour appointment with a FLC counselor in order to complete and submit the petition. The following must be on file in the A&R office in order for your petition to be processed:
Official transcripts of all coursework completed at other colleges.
Official copies of AP test scores, if applicable.
Copy of DD214-military discharge papers, if veteran desires credit for Military Units.
List of courses in progress if attending another college. Official final transcripts will be
required at the end of the semester for final evaluation of degree/certificate.
Copy of any required competency tests, if applicable.
To qualify for the degree during the semester of application, all requirements must be completed during the semester when the student applied for the degree.
Transcripts
Official transcripts from ALL colleges (excluding ARC, CRC and SCC) must be on file BEFORE the degree petition is evaluated. Please have your transcript sent to:
Folsom Lake College
Evaluations
10 College Parkway
Folsom, CA 95630
Notification
Students are only notified in writing if the petition CANNOT be approved. All approved petitions will be fully evaluated after final grades have been posted (after the semester is over). If the petition is denied, students will be required to contact their counselor to resubmit the degree petition if requirements are not met.
When To Expect the Diploma/Certificate
Diplomas and certificates are mailed approximately THREE months after the end of the semester. If verification of a degree or certificate is required sooner, students should request a copy of their transcript – which will show it after final evaluations have been completed (approximately one month after the end of the semester). Diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on the degree petition.
Items printed on the diploma are: Name (as written on the degree petition), Major/Degree concentration.
Items not printed on the diploma are: Honors and Phi Theta Kappa designations.
Honors Designation
SUMMER AND FALL DEGREES – Highest honors and honors designations are based on the cumulative GPA through the respective term in which the degree is awarded.
SPRING DEGREES – Highest honors and honors designations are based on the cumulative GPA through the FALL semester of the academic year in which the degree is awarded (it will NOT include spring coursework or grades).
Change of Name or Address
It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Evaluations Department in writing if the name or address is changed. This will ensure proper delivery of the diploma.
Students that are Prospective Graduates
Receiving a response to a degree or certificate petition is not a confirmation of the award. Awards are confirmed or denied after final evaluations have been completed. This is done AFTER final grades are posted after every semester. Spring degree candidates are prospective at the time they walk in the commencement ceremony. Final evaluations are not completed until well after the ceremony in May.
Possible Reasons for Denial of Degree Petition
The student did not:
Complete a minimum of 60 units for an Associates Degree.
Complete the competency requirements.
Make up Incomplete from past semester.
Have 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Submit official copy of transcripts from other institution(s).
Complete required courses for major.
Complete 12 units in residency at FLC.
