Skip to main content

Graduation Process

Requirements for Graduation

Forms and deadline dates, as well as information concerning degree or certificate requirements, may be obtained from Advisement and Transfer Services, Bldg. 1-231 or the Student Services Office at the Downtown Campus.

Degree Requirements

A degree candidate must fulfill these general requirements:

  • Complete the course distribution and credit hour requirements as prescribed in his/her program of study.
  • Complete 24 credit hours at Monroe Community College.
  • Attain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 upon completion of his/her 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.


Certificate Requirements

The College is also authorized to award a certificate to a student fulfilling these general requirements:

  • Complete the course distribution and credit hour requirements as prescribed in the Certificate Program.
  • Complete a minimum of 50 percent of the credit hours at Monroe Community College.
  • Attain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 upon completion of his/her program.
  • Satisfactorily meet all College obligations.


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.

Conferral of a Second Associate Degree

In accordance with the State University of New York policy, a student may earn a second associate degree at Monroe Community College. Guidelines are as follows:

  1. The second degree must be in a substantially different area of study from the first degree.
  2. Earning the second degree must result in academic and/or employment advantages for the student.
  3. A minimum of twelve additional degree credits must be completed at MCC in the curriculum in which the student seeks to qualify for the second degree.
  4. A student interested in earning a second degree should contact the Admissions Office or the Student Services Office at the Downtown Campus for an application for readmission as a second degree candidate. The advantages for obtaining a second degree should be explored with a counselor in the Admissions Office or Advisement and Transfer Services.
  5. Students who complete the requirements for a second degree in their last semester should contact Advisement and Graduation Services, Bldg. 1-231.


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.