Graduation and Commencement
Graduation
Rochester Christian University hosts one commencement ceremony each spring, but graduation occurs at the end of each term (fall, spring, and summer) as degrees are conferred and posted to official transcripts. Students should review their academic progress with their academic advisers each semester and apply for graduation at https://my.RCU.edu once annual registration opens and they reach 70 credit hours. Students at Rochester Christian University may graduate at the end of any the semester in which they complete the required coursework and degree requirements for the curriculum on record. The graduation fee is added to the student's account upon receipt of their application.
Course substitutions or graduation requirement waivers require the approval of the department chair or dean and must be received prior to the last semester of classes. Once a degree is conferred, a student’s transcript is permanent. If course work is completed after degree conferral, additional majors/minors will not be reflected on the student’s transcript, nor will academic honors be re-evaluated.
Application for Graduation
Every candidate for graduation must submit an application for graduation. Students who elect not to participate in the commencement ceremony must still submit a graduation application. Graduation applications are available on https://my.RCU.edu. Application deadlines for fall, spring, and summer graduation are October 1, February 1, and August 1, respectively. Summer and fall graduates will have the option to participate in either the commencement ceremony before or after their degree requirements are completed, as long as they apply by the spring graduation deadline.
Diplomas
Diplomas are printed at the end of each semester for those students who have graduated and have submitted an application for graduation. The printed diplomas reflect the academic credential earned and will only show the degree level awarded and graduation honors. Majors, minors, and concentrations will be reflected on the official transcript. Diplomas are mailed to the student’s address 8-12 weeks after the final date of the semester in which all degree requirements are met. Diplomas and transcripts cannot be released for any student with a financial obligation to the University.
Commencement Ceremony
A formal commencement ceremony is held annually at the end of the spring semester. The ceremony is open to students who have met the graduation application deadline, February 1. All eligible students are encouraged to participate. Students planning to participate in the commencement ceremony must purchase their required regalia online. Recognized stoles and cords can be purchased online along with your cap, gown, and tassel or are awarded/purchased through a recognized organization. Below are the recognized stoles and cords:
Recognized Stoles:
Epsilon Theta Chi
First Generation
International
Kente
Military
Omicron Omega Zeta
Psi Chi
RCU Student Leaders
Serape
The National Society of Leadership and Success
Recognized Cords:
Alpha Chi
GPA Honors
Honors Scholar
Military
Psi Chi
Senior Legacy Gift
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Theta Tau
Student Nurses Association
The National Society of Leadership and Success
Other organizations seeking cord or stole approval should email registrar@rochesteru.edu.
All commencement ceremony information can be found in the Graduation section of the Rochester Christian University website at rochesteru.edu/graduation.
Graduation Honors
Bachelor’s degree students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and who have earned 45 hours at Rochester Christian University are eligible for honors. Designations are listed below:
Cum Laude: 3.50-3.69
Magna Cum Laude: 3.70-3.89
Summa Cum Laude: 3.90-4.0
Honors will be reflected in the commencement program based on the last semester or session completed before the ceremony. The appropriate designation will be indicated on the diploma and transcript. Graduates will receive cords for GPA honors on the day of the commencement ceremony. Only graduates who participate in commencement will receive GPA honors cords.