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Graduation Process

Requirements for Graduation

Forms and deadline dates may be obtained from the Graduation Services Office, Brighton Campus, Building 6, Room 203. Information concerning degree or certificate requirements, may be obtained from Student Success and Advisement Services, Bldg. 1-231 or the Student Engagement Center at the Downtown Campus.

Requirements for a Degree

A degree candidate must fulfill the following general requirements:

  • Complete the course distribution and credit hour requirements as prescribed in the program of study.
  • Complete a minimum of 24 credit hours at Monroe Community College.
  • Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 upon completion of a program.
  • Satisfactorily meet all college obligations.

In accordance with section 3.47 of the rules of the New York State Board of Regents, in order to graduate from Monroe Community College, students must have completed one of the following:
  • a high school diploma from a state recognized high school
  • an equivalent four-year high school course of study as certified by the superintendent of schools of the candidate’s school district of residence at the time such course was completed
  • a legally valid high school equivalency diploma
  • 24 semester hours or the equivalent of college course work distributed in subjects in accordance with the requirements set by the New York State Education Department and verified by Monroe Community College or
  • a college degree from a degree-granting institution accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education.

Requirements for a Certificate of Completion
The College will also award a certificate to students fulfilling the following general requirements:
  • Complete the course distribution and credit hour requirement as prescribed in the certificate program.
  • Complete at least 50% of the credit hours at Monroe Community College.
  • Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 upon completion of the program.
  • Satisfactorily meet all college obligations.

Conferral of a Second Degree
Students may earn a second degree at Monroe Community College if they comply with the following guidelines:
  • Explore the advantages by meeting with your success coach.
  • Pursue a second degree that is in a substantially different area of study from the first degree received.
  • Earning a second degree should result in academic and/or employment advantages.
  • Complete an additional twelve credits at MCC in the curriculum for which the student seeks to qualify for the degree and satisfy the degree requirements (as previously stated) for the program
  • Students should contact the Admissions Office at the Brighton Campus or the Student Engagement Center at the Downtown Campus for an application for readmission as a second degree candidate.
  • Students may not be matriculated into two high demand health programs simultaneously.
  • Students who are seeking a second degree in the same semester should contact Graduation Services (graduation@monroecc.edu) for the correct procedure.

Filing for a Degree/Certificate

In addition to the general requirements, a candidate for a degree or certificate must complete an Intent to Graduate Application after registering for their last semester at MCC. If the Intent to Graduate Application is not completed, the student will not be audited for graduation, and will not receive his/her degree and diploma.

Students may file an Application online. The Intent to Graduate Application is also available at the Brighton Campus in Advisement and Transfer Services, Bldg. 1-231. At the Downtown Campus, Intent to Graduate Applications are available in the Student Services Center.

Graduation with Distinction

Candidates for a degree or certificate who complete their requirements for graduation with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above are considered honor graduates. The diploma and academic record of such a graduate is inscribed with the words “WITH DISTINCTION.” In addition to this recognition, the graduate receives special commendation at the Commencement ceremonies.

Waiver of Degree Requirements

A matriculated student must follow an approved curriculum as described in the College Catalog & Student Handbook at the time of matriculation. Substitutions for specific course requirements (other than those made by the Office of Admissions for transfer students) must be approved in writing by the appropriate department chairpersons. The department chairperson having responsibility for the substituted course and the chairperson of the department responsible for the degree shall be the appropriate persons to authorize any change.

Returning students who have stopped out for more than one year will be required to follow the current catalog curriculum.