53-28 Graduation Application

Procedure Description

Purpose

To establish a standardized process for Florence-Darlington Technical College students to apply for graduation, confirm degree eligibility, and participate in the annual commencement ceremony, regardless of credential type (associate degree, diploma, or certificate).

Procedure

1. Advisement and Graduation Eligibility

• Students must first meet with their academic advisor to assess progress toward program completion and ensure all program requirements have been met or are in progress for the final semester.

• The academic advisor will help confirm whether the student qualifies to apply for graduation.

2. Graduation Application Submission

• All students must submit a Graduation Application, whether or not they intend to participate in the commencement ceremony.

• Students should complete the Graduation Application online via Student Self-Service at https://my.fdtc.edu.

o Online applications do not require a physical signature.

• A graduation fee is required at the time of application submission.

o Students submitting a paper application must provide proof of payment from the Business Office (signature or receipt).

• Graduation application deadlines are published by the Registrar’s Office each semester. Applications submitted after the deadline may delay the awarding of the credential.

3. Administrative Degree Audit Process

• The Registrar’s Office compiles a list of prospective graduates each semester.

• The Registrar or designee will:

o Review the student’s academic record.

o Complete the Graduation Audit form.

o Submit any required Graduation Course Substitution Forms request to the faculty.

• Once received, the Registrar’s Office will:

o Review the completed audit and verify final semester enrollment and GPA requirements.

o If approved, the Registrar records the graduation semester and academic honors (if applicable).

o If not approved, the Registrar notifies the student to consult with their academic advisor.

4. Participation in the Graduation Ceremony

• FDTC hosts one graduation ceremony annually in May, following the conclusion of the spring semester.

• Students who anticipate graduating in summer may participate in the May ceremony if they have no more than 12 credit hours remaining.

• Students must submit a Graduation Application to participate in the ceremony.

• Cap and Gown: Students must reserve their cap and gown through the FDTC Campus Bookstore no later than March 1.

5. Degree Conferral

• Degrees, diplomas, and certificates are not issued at the graduation ceremony.

• Credentials are ordered and awarded only after all academic requirements are met and verified.

• Submitting the Graduation Application is required for credential issuance, regardless of participation in the ceremony.

6. Continuing Education (CE) Students and Commencement Participation Continuing Education (CE) students are eligible to participate in FDTC’s annual commencement ceremony, provided they meet the participation requirements outlined below:

• CE students do not earn academic degrees, diplomas, or certificates associated with undergraduate credit-bearing programs and will not receive such credentials from the College.

• CE students who wish to participate in the commencement ceremony must submit a Commencement Participation Form to the Registrar’s Office.

• A non-refundable participation fee is required and must be paid at the time of submission.

• CE students are responsible for reserving their cap and gown through the FDTC Campus Bookstore no later than April 21.

• CE participants will be recognized during the ceremony, but will not have degree information printed or conferred.

7. Records Retention

The Registrar’s Office retains:

• The completed Graduation Application.

• Degree Audit forms.

• Any supporting documentation (e.g., course substitutions).

These records are maintained in accordance with the South Carolina General Records Retention Schedule.