Graduation & Commencement

Don’t I just graduate automatically when I have finished my requirements?
No. To graduate from Frederick Community College, you need to submit a graduation application via your PeopleSoft account in the Student Center tile or Graduation Application Form. All students need to submit a graduation application to be awarded a credential.

What are the qualifications for graduation?
To qualify as a candidate for an associate degree or certificate, students must:

• Successfully complete a prescribed curriculum as approved by the College and published in the Catalog.
• Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 for all work at the College.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 60 college level credits to award an associate degree. Note: Some majors have additional GPA or final course grade requirements. AAT students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and meet the MSDE requirements (official documents to waive the MSDE requirement must be on file in Registration and Records).
• Complete a minimum of 15 academic credits at FCC for an associate degree or 25% of required credits at FCC for certificate.

When should I apply to graduate?
Students should apply for graduation when they are in their last semester of classes.  Please refer to the Graduation Dates and Deadlines.  All students need to submit a graduation application to be awarded a credential.  There are three graduation conferral dates for August, December, and May for an academic calendar year.

Do I have to pay a fee to graduate?
There is no fee to apply to graduate (no application fee) or to attend the annual Commencement ceremony. Your regalia (cap and gown) is paid for by FCC.
 
How does graduation impact my student loans?
Student loan borrowers who are applying for graduation must complete loan exit counseling, even if they intend to transfer to another institution. Depending on your situation, you may or may not have a grace period before your loan repayment starts. You can familiarize yourself with repayment options, when you need to make payments, and how to make payments at Federal Student Aid Student Loan Repayment.

Questions: contact financialaid@frederick.edu

Do I have to attend the ceremony in order to receive my diploma?
No. The graduation process and awarding of a credential is separate from the ceremony. FCC encourages you to attend the annual Commencement Ceremony to celebrate and recognize your academic accomplishments, but you do not have to attend in order to award your credential and receive a diploma. All diplomas are mailed to students at the mailing address on file. Please submit a Change of Address Form to update your mailing address.

What requirements do I need to graduate with Honors? 
There are three levels of honors awarded at the completion of degrees or certificates.

• High Honors (associate) = a cumulative grade point average of 3.750 to 4.00
• Honors (associate) = a cumulative grade point average of 3.500 to 3.7490
• Distinction (certificate) = a cumulative grade point average of 3.750 to 4.00

Do Honors College graduates receive a special designation?
Students who have successfully completed designated honors courses and who qualify at graduation earn an Honors College transcript notation and may wear the designated Honors College medallion at the Commencement Ceremony to reflect their academic achievement. Students qualify for the Honors College, High Honors designation on the FCC transcript and a gold medallion with 12 honors credits (3 honors credits must be at the 200 level) and a GPA of 3.750 or higher. Students earn an Honors College, Honors designation on the FCC transcript and a silver medallion with 12 honors credits (3 honors credits must be at the 200 level) and a GPA of 3.500-3.7490. Students merit the Honors College designation on the FCC transcript and a bronze medallion with 12 honors credits (3 honors credits must be at the 200 level) and a GPA of 3.250-3.490.  For eligibility and information, please contact the Honors College Coordinator at bthompson@frederick.edu.

What if I am a member of PTK?
For information on PTK eligibility and regalia, please contact Student Leadership & Engagement at studentengagement@frederick.edu.

What happens if I do not successfully complete all the credits I need for my degree after I apply to graduate?
You will be notified via your myFCC student email account that you did not satisfy your requirements and you may apply again as soon as you register for your remaining classes or meet outstanding requirements.

Additional questions, contact graduation@frederick.edu.

When and where is the commencement ceremony?
Thursday, May 20, 2027
4:30 p.m.
 
Mount St. Mary’s University
The Knott Arena at the PNC Sports Complex (campus map)
16251 Jim Phelan Way 
Emmitsburg, MD  21727
Directions 

Commencement Questions?
Contact Commencement@frederick.edu

Is there a rehearsal?
No. There is no rehearsal prior to commencement.

Will an ASL interpreter and/or captioning be provided?
There will be two English-to-ASL interpreters present on the graduation stage.  There will be a small reserved-seating area near the interpreters for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing guests.  If any other interpreting accommodations are required, please email Interpreting@Frederick.edu as soon as possible with your request.
 
Will accessible seating be available for people with disabilities?
Seating for guests with limited mobility is available at the back of the gym along the designated areas. Graduates should request tickets for the limited mobility section.  The most accessible entrance for limited mobility is in the front of the PNC Sports Complex on the lower level.  View and download the campus map. 
 
Is there food?
There are vending machines in the Knott ARCC
 
In addition, the FCC Bookstore will offer flowers, concessions, and alumni gifts from 3:00-4:00 p.m. on the upper level of the complex.

Will guests be allowed to attend?
Each graduate may request up to eight guest tickets.

Are tickets required?
Yes. All guests, including babies and children, need a ticket.

How early should guests arrive to get seats?
Doors open to guests at 3:00 p.m.

How long is the ceremony?
The commencement ceremony is typically 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Are there restrictions on what can be brought to the ceremony?
Bags of any kind will not be permitted inside the arena. Medical and parenting bags will be permitted and subject to security screening.

Once my graduate is recognized may we leave?
Out of respect for the other graduates, all graduates and their guests are expected to stay until the end of the ceremony.

How will I receive my diploma?
You do not have to participate in the ceremony to receive your diploma or certificate.

Printed diplomas are mailed to your address listed in your PeopleSoft student record as follows:

• August 2026: Mailed in October 2026
• December 2026: Mailed in February 2027
• May 2027: Mailed in July 2027

Prior to the Ceremony

• Wear dress or business-casual attire under your gown. Please wear shoes that are comfortable for walking and standing.
• To remove wrinkles from your gown, hang and/or steam it before the ceremony. Do not iron your gown.
• Tassels initially go on the right side of your cap.
• Graduates may wear stoles and cords over their regalia.
• Graduates may decorate their caps (with non-offensive content). 
• Gold Tassels will be distributed with your cap and gown for High Honors, Honors, and Distinction.. Contact Graduation@frederick.edu with any questions regarding your honors status.
  • High Honors (associate) = a cumulative grade point average of 3.750 to 4.00
  • Honors (associate) = a cumulative grade point average of 3.500 to 3.7490
  • Distinction (certificate) = a cumulative grade point average of 3.750 to 4.00
• Questions regarding specific awards, cords, and stoles should be directed to the related area:
  • Student Leadership: studentengagement@frederick.edu
  • Academics: kwaters@frederick.edu or kmanley@frederick.edu
  • Honors College and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society: bthompson@frederick.edu
  • Veteran & Military Services: acoldren@frederick.edu
  • Dual Enrollment: dualenrollment@frederick.edu"
  • Police Academy: macem@frederick.edu 

Arriving at the Ceremony
View and download the Mount St. Marys campus map. 

• Doors of the PNC Sports Complex Knott ARCC open to graduates and guests at 3:00 p.m.
• Graduates and guests may park in any open lot.
• Accessible parking spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis around Knott Arena.
• Only service animals are permitted at commencement venues. Emotional support animals and other pets are not allowed.  
• Graduates need to check-in at the PNC Sports Complex Knott ARCC- East Field House Entrance of the Dillon Field House,  collect their name card, and be in line by 3:30 p.m.
• For the safety and comfort of all attendees, no bags are permitted inside the venue.
• Please do not bring valuables (e.g., money, cell phones) into the arena; they may not be carried during the ceremony and storage is not available. 
• Guests may check in at the Upper West Entrance or the Lower East Entrance of the PNC Sports Complex Knott ARCC.
• The most accessible entrance for graduates and guests with limited mobility is the Lower East Entrance of the PNC Sports Complex  Knott ARCC. 

Line-up and Stage Crossing

• At check-in, you will be given a name card. Carry your name card with you. You will hand it to a designated staff member as you approach the stage. Your name will be read from the name card.
• If you wish to discuss the pronunciation of your name with the speaker, please ask a volunteer to direct you after you check in and receive your name card.\
• Graduates are grouped by academic departments (Liberal Arts, HBTS, CATI & HCTI, MACEM & PS).
• If graduating with more than one credential, you will be assigned to the major you selected on the participation form.
• You will be led by FCC Faculty Marshal from the Dillon Field House to the Knott Arena. Please pay careful attention to the Marshals throughout the entire ceremony and look for cues to stand and process to the stage.
• Deaf and Hard-of Hearing students will need to submit a commencement accommodations request for an English-to-ASL  interpreters. There will be a small reserved-seating area near the interpreters for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing guests.
• Graduates and guests need to remain for the entire ceremony. 

Instructions for Approaching the Stage

• Follow the Marshal’s instruction to stand and process to the stage.
• Hand the name card to the reader.
• Wait for your name to be spoken.
• Walk across the stage to be greeted by the President.
• Receive your diploma cover from the President while having your picture taken.
• Return to your seat. 

Distribution of Diplomas
You will receive a diploma cover during the ceremony. Diplomas are mailed to the address provided in your PeopleSoft student record after final confirmation of your degree. Diplomas will be mailed in July for May 2027 graduates, and diplomas have already been mailed to August 2026 and December 2026 graduates.

Photographs

• As you receive your diploma cover from the President, your picture will be taken by a professional photographer. 
• Graduates will receive an email at their FCC student account after the ceremony with instructions on how to order.

Conclusion and Recession

• At the conclusion of the ceremony, students will rise and after degrees and certificates have been conferred, students will be instructed by the President to move the tassel from the right side to the left side of the mortarboard (cap).
• Remain standing through the recessional. The stage party and faculty lead the processional – graduates are led out last.
• After departing the gym, you will be directed to the grassy area outside where you checked in. Plan to meet your guests at the  top-level entrance, Ceremonial Drive, on the campus map.

Guests and Tickets

• Each graduate may request up to eight tickets. If you need more than eight tickets, we recommend that you check with other  graduates who may be willing to share extra tickets.
• By code of the Fire Marshal, every guest (including children and infants) needs to have a ticket to attend the ceremony.
• Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Allow adequate time to arrive on campus and park. Parking attendants will be available to direct you. 
• Guests may park in any open lot. 
• Doors of the PNC Sports Complex Knott ARCC open to graduates and guests at 3:00 p.m. 
• All guests will be subject to a security inspection prior to admission. Bags may not exceed 8.5” x 11.” Guests should consider leaving bags or other unnecessary personal belongings at home. Please arrive early to allow adequate time for check-in.
• Guests may check in at the Upper West Entrance or the Lower East Entrance of the PNC Sports Complex Knott ARCC.
• The most accessible entrance for graduates and guests with limited mobility is the Lower East Entrance of the PNC Sports Complex  Knott ARCC. 

Gifts, Flowers, Food, and Drink

• Commencement flowers, grad bears, and commemorative class T-shirts will be available for purchase outside the PNC Sports Complex Knot ARCC before and after the ceremony at both entrances.
• The FCC Bookstore will be selling water, snacks, and alumni gifts inside on the upper level of the PNC Sports Complex Knott ARCC prior to the ceremony.
• There are vending machines in the PNC Sports Complex Knott ARCC.

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

• The most accessible entrance for graduates and guests with limited mobility is the front of the PNC Sports Complex Knott ARCC  (Lower East Entrance). 
• Seating for guests with limited mobility is available at the back of the gym. See an attendant for assistance.
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing students will need to submit a request for English to ASL interpreting on their graduation application.  There will be a small reserved-seating area near the interpreters for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing guests. 

All full-time faculty and adjunct faculty who taught in fall 2026 and/or spring 2027 are invited to attend.

All full-time faculty are required to participate in the commencement ceremony.

To be excused from the ceremony, you must request permission from Dr. Anne Davis.
 
Regalia
All full-time faculty and adjunct faculty who taught in fall 2026 and/or spring 2027 should have received an email with a link to order regalia. The deadline to order regalia is April 8.

You will receive an email from the Bookstore when regalia is available. Pick up regalia packages in the Bookstore beginning Monday, May 11, 2027.

If you own your academic regalia and will be participating, notify Esther Slack-Metellus by email at eslackmetellus@frederick.edu.

Please email  Bookstore at bookstore@frederick.edu  if you have any questions about placing your online order.

You should return your rented regalia to the FCC Bookstore no later than Friday May 29, 2027.
 
Arriving at the Ceremony
Arrive on campus no later than 3:30pm and ready to line up at 4:00pm. Lot D is reserved for FCC employee parking. Attendants will be directing traffic to the designated area (campus map). Make sure to display your FCC employee parking decal.

Faculty may robe and store personal items in the Group Exercise Studio. Limited-mobility access is on the lower-level entrance of the Knott ARCC (Lower East Entrance) (campus map).
 
Line-Up
Full-time faculty and adjunct faculty should line up in any order in the Dillon Field House by 4:00 p.m.
 
Graduates and faculty will assemble in the Dillon Field House before the procession.
 
Faculty will be seated behind the graduates on the floor.

Faculty and students will be led through the initial assembly area of the Dillion Field House and out the East Field House Entrance at the end of the ceremony.

*Note: Faculty will recess at the end of the ceremony to an area outside the building. You may return to pick up personal items from the Group Exercise Studio after everyone has exited the building.
  
Food and Drink
There are vending machines in the Knott ARCC.

Enter the Dillion Field House by using the East Field House Entrance. 

August 2026 Graduation
Last day to apply:  8/01/2026
Posting date (showing on transcript):  No later than 9/30/26
Confer Date:  8/30/2026
Diplomas mailed directly to students:  October 2026

December 2026 Graduation 
Last day to apply: 12/01/2026.
Posting date (showing on transcript): No later than 1/30/2027
Confer Date: 12/30/2026
Diplomas mailed directly to students:  February 2027

May 2027 Graduation
Last day to apply: 4/01/2027
Posting date (showing on transcript): No later than 6/30/2027
Confer Date/Commencement: 5/20/2027
Diplomas mailed directly to students: July 2027

Digital Diplomas for Associate and Certificate Degrees
All graduates receiving an associate and/or certificate diploma will receive a printed diploma and will be able to retrieve a free certified electronic credential known as CeDiploma or CeCertificate.  Watch this overview video to learn more.

Students whose associate and/or certificate credential that was posted on or after August 30, 2022, will receive an email with a link to retrieve their free digital credential when it is available from our trusted partner, CeCredentialTrust. Availability will be when the credential has been printed and mailed following the published Graduation Dates and Deadlines. After the diploma has been printed, graduates will receive an email and information on how to download their digital credential from info@cecredentialtrust.com with a subject line that will read: Subject:  Diploma Information: Download your FCC Digital Diploma Now.

Please continue to monitor your email account. To request a new download link, please use the CeCredential Trust site to resend the link.
 
Students whose associate and/or certificate credentials were posted before August 1, 2022 can order a legacy digital diploma using the duplicate diploma re-order form. The cost to order a legacy digital diploma is $50. Select Legacy CeDiploma from the drop down menu. 

Access Your digital diploma or certificate.

Validate a FCC CeDiploma or CeCertificate.

Diploma Reprints
Registration & Records is pleased to announce a new, convenient diploma reprint request service through a partnership with Paradigm’s CeCredential Trust. The new service allows graduates to request a reprint of their FCC credential(s). Through a simple, secured online system, graduates complete the online form and make payment. Graduates pay a flat fee of $25.00 for the reprint with shipping included for domestic mailings. International and expedited domestic shipping is available for an additional cost. Students whose associate and/or certificate credentials that were posted before August 1, 2022 can order a legacy digital diploma CeDiploma or CeCertificate. The cost to order a legacy digital diploma is $50. Select Legacy CeDiploma from the drop down menu. Visit CeCredentialTrust Credential Request. to request a printed credential or a digital Legacy credential. 

Commencement Questions?
Contact Commencement@frederick.edu