Graduate Information

Information for students participating in the Commencement Ceremony

Click on the items below to open up detailed information about each subject.

Details on Petition to Graduate information may be found here:
https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/admissions/graduation.php

Petition to Graduate online form:
https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/counseling/forms/index.php>

For detailed information on grades, petitions, or transcripts please contact Admissions and Records
If you plan to attend the Commencement Ceremony, please submit the online Commencement Ceremony RSVP form no later than Thursday, May 22, 2025 by 5:00 pm. Please check your campus email for the RSVP link included in the Commencement Ceremony email sent from Campus Life or contact campus.life@canyons.edu. Late RSVPs will not be accepted after this date.

Graduates may bring up to 6 guests. Due to space limitations and safety regulations, additional guests will not be permitted under any circumstances.
Campus Life & Student Engagement will host the Grad Fair on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm inside the Student Center. The event will provide you with an opportunity to purchase your cap and gown, take and order formal pictures in cap and gown, check the spelling of your name for the diploma and graduation program, and pick up special graduation regalia including gold honor cords for honor graduates.
There is no rehearsal for the Commencement processional or ceremony. Therefore, it is imperative that you do the following:

Arrive no later than 4:45 pm on Commencement afternoon (Friday, June 6, 2025) dressed in your cap and gown.

Graduate check-in will take place on the walkway located between the tennis courts and the East PE & West PE buildings. Please enter the walkway from the east side of campus near Campus Drive.

During check-in, graduates will receive processional instructions and will fill out a name reader card, which will be used to announce each graduate's name as they cross the stage.

The processional will begin 15-20 minutes before the ceremony to ensure a prompt start at 6:00 p.m.

Wear comfortable shoes. Pointed heels are not allowed on the field.

Plan to leave all valuables (purses, cameras, etc.) with friends or family.

No outside food or drink is allowed, except unopened bottle water.

If you need disabled seating, email campus.life@canyons.edu by May 22, 2025.

NOTE: If you do not arrive on time, you will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. Family and friends are not allowed in the assembly area.
Photographers from GradImages will take pictures of the graduates as they receive their diplomas. Proofs will be emailed directly to each graduate. Special photo opportunity stations will also be available near the home-side gates after the ceremony. Graduates may receive 20% off their purchase of $50.00 or more from GradImages when they register for their graduation ceremony photos before graduation day. For more information, visit: GradImages.com/registration.
Commencement is a dignified occasion. Participants are expected to conduct themselves accordingly. The behavior of each graduate helps to set the tone for this important event.

Graduates are expected to stay for the entire duration of the ceremony. Graduates are also urged to use the restroom before the ceremony begins. Graduates and guests look forward to this milestone with excitement and anticipation. For many guests, Commencement is their first visit to campus. The ceremony and appropriate behavior by the graduates will create a positive memories for all who attend.
In recognition of those students graduating with honors, students will be awarded with a gold honor cord.

In order to receive an honor cord, graduating students must have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or greater in all cumulative degree applicable units from regionally-accredited colleges attended prior to their Spring 2025 at College of the Canyons.

Honor cords will be available to pick up at the Grad Fair. Gold honor cords may also be picked up in Campus Life & Student Engagement (STCN-102) for any honor graduate unable to attend the Grad Fair, during regular hours of operation (Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.). Please note that Campus Life & Student Engagement will be closed June 4-6, 2025, due to Commencement preparation.
The COC Bookstore has caps, tassels, and gowns available for purchase in assorted sizes. Plan to pick up your cap, tassel, and gown as early as possible to ensure having the correct size and fit. Some sizes are limited so please visit the Bookstore as soon as you can and do not wait until the day of Commencement. Graduates will not be allowed to participate in the Commencement ceremony using caps and gowns that are not COC's colors. Also available for purchase are souvenir tassels, stoles, and diploma frames. Personalized graduation announcements are also available for purchase online on the following link: www.cbgrad.com

College of the Canyons Bookstore: (661) 362-3225
A.A./A.S/AA-T/Certificate of Achievement candidates should make a special effort to check their student copy of the graduation petition submitted with Counseling. A copy should have been provided for personal records and reference. It is important to check for correct degree(s), major(s), certificate(s) and spelling of the name, and to update Admissions and Records should any changes be needed. Any updates for name change only should be emailed to cadet@canyons.edu with the necessary changes.

If there are questions concerning any degree or certificate programs or requirements, please email the Counseling Department at: counseling@canyons.edu. All changes must be made by May 8, 2025 in order for your name and certificate to be in the official Commencement program.

All parking will be provided free of charge on Commencement Day except in staff-designated lots and lot 12. Graduates or guests parking in these lots may be ticketed by Campus Safety. Due to potential traffic congestion, plan to arrive early.

Traffic may be heavy, therefore please plan to arrive early. Graduates and guests should leave plenty of lead-time to prevent getting caught in traffic. Graduates and guests are encouraged to park in the parking structure located at the corner of Valencia Blvd. and Rockwell Canyon Rd.

Additional parking will be available in any of the student lots. Guests/graduates found parking in any staff lots may be ticketed by Campus Safety.
Diplomas are NOT issued at the Commencement ceremony. Diplomas for spring and summer graduates will be automatically mailed to you from the Admissions and Records Office.
Graduates needing special arrangements or assistance should contact the Campus Life & Student Engagement at (661) 362-3238 by May 22, 2025.
A map of the Valencia campus can be found here: Valencia Campus Map
If you have any questions about Commencement, please make sure to stop by the Grad Fair on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 between 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.. in the Student Center or visit our website.

You may also email: campus.life@canyons.edu or call (661) 362-3238.

Please note that the Campus Life & Student Engagement office will be closed June 4-6, 2025 and staff will not be available to respond to messages due to Commencement preparation during that time.