Graduation Information

As a candidate for graduation, you must submit a graduation application and satisfy the following graduation requirements:

• Successfully complete all courses within your program certification requirements with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
• Successfully complete the required number of credits.
• If you are earning an associate degree from National Park College, you must complete 18 semester hours at NPC. Each additional associate degree will require another 18 semester hours with the College and the satisfactory completion of all required courses. To qualify for technical certificates and certificates of proficiency, 25% of your coursework must be completed at NPC.
• Satisfy all financial obligations due to the College.
• You may meet the graduation requirements listed in the catalog in effect at the time you entered NPC or those listed in any later catalog. Exceptions to this policy include requirements from a catalog more than three years old or changes in a program or curriculum mandated by external accrediting agencies.

To receive a diploma:

• You must apply for graduation by the posted deadline for the term in which you expect to complete all requirements. There is no charge to apply, and application deadlines are shown in Graduation Events.
• You must complete a graduation application to receive your diploma. You must apply even if you are not planning to participate in the commencement ceremony.
• You must complete a separate application for each degree or certificate you are seeking.
• You should meet with your Faculty Mentor or an NPC advisor to verify that your declared major is correct and that you are on track to graduate.
• You should make sure you have met all of the graduation requirements.

If you do not complete graduation requirements during the semester in which you have applied, your application will roll over to the following semester (Spring, Summer, or Fall). If you do not complete the requirements the following semester, you will have to re-apply.

To apply for graduation, follow these steps:

• Log in to your OASIS account
• Click the Navigation Bar (the Compass in the top-right corner)
• Click Menu
• Click the Self-Service link
• Click the Degree Progress/Graduation link
• Click Apply for Graduation.
  • Make sure that the degree listed is the plan for which you want to apply.
  • If it needs to be changed, contact your Faculty Mentor, an NPC advisor, or the Registrar’s office.
• Click the Apply for Graduation link next to the degree plan for which you are applying.
  • Select the term you want to graduate in the drop-down menu
  • Click Continue
  • Click Submit Application
• After you submit, go back to the Degree Progress/Graduation drop-down menu near the top of the page:
  • Select View Graduation Status
  • Scroll down to where your name and address are listed.
    • The name listed will appear on your diploma. To change it, click on the link.
    • The address listed is where your diploma will be mailed approximately 4-6 weeks after degrees are conferred. To change it, click on the link.

If you have problems applying for graduation, contact your Faculty Mentor, NPC advisor, or the Registrar’s office.

All fall and spring/summer graduate candidates participating in the commencement ceremony must order regalia (cap and gown).

• There is no charge for your cap and gown.
• You must apply for graduation before you can order your regalia.
• You must be measured for regalia in the NPC Campus Store. Ordering deadline and details will be provided in the D2L Student Community.

GradFest is a one-stop shop that allows you to take care of all your graduation needs in one location. At GradFest you can:

• apply for graduation (no charge)
• order your cap and gown (no charge)
• purchase graduation announcements (optional)
• complete the graduation survey
• complete the online financial exit interview
• visit with campus representatives about graduation services
• receive Nighthawk Graduation Checklist which includes important dates, contacts and details about all aspects of graduation

GradFest is held in the spring semester each year exclusively for all fall graduates and spring/summer graduate candidates. GradFest details will be provided in the Graduation Module in the D2L Student Community.

All fall graduates and spring/summer graduate candidates participating in the commencement ceremony should attend graduation practice. Graduation practice details will be provided in the Graduation Module in the D2L Student Community.

• NPC holds one graduation ceremony at the end of the spring semester each year.
• All fall graduates and spring/summer graduate candidates are eligible to participate in graduation.
• If you want to participate in graduation and want to have your name printed in the graduation program, you must submit your application for graduation by the deadline shown in Graduation Events.
• Participation in graduation does not guarantee that you have met all requirements for a degree or certificate.
• Graduation details will be provided in the Graduation Module in the D2L Student Community.

Diplomas are mailed after all degrees have been conferred, which is approximately 4-6 weeks after the end of the semester.

• Diplomas are mailed to the address listed on your graduation application. Be sure to notify the Registrar’s office if your address changes. 
• Diplomas are not mailed if you have outstanding financial obligations or library holds.
• If you participate in the graduation ceremony in May but need to complete courses in the Summer semester to meet graduation requirements, your diploma will be mailed approximately four weeks after the Summer semester ends.