Graduation Requirements

Commencement

Each year there is a formal commencement exercise held in May. Graduates from the preceding summer and fall, along with spring candidates, are eligible to participate. Students who will complete degree requirements by the end of the following summer may also request to be allowed to participate.

Spring and Summer graduation applicants must submit their application no later than the Friday of Spring Break to ensure their name is included in the Commencement Program. No exceptions can be made to this deadline.

Commencement participants are required to wear a cap and gown, which may be purchased through the bookstore.

Computer Proficiency Requirement

Oklahoma City Community College recognizes that many business, industrial, educational, and personal activities involve the use of computers. Therefore, all Oklahoma City Community College associate degree graduates will demonstrate competency in the use of a computer to perform one or more of the following functions:

• word processing
• spreadsheet use
• database management
• multimedia/graphic design
• programming

A student may satisfy the computer proficiency requirement by:

1. completing the course “Introduction to Computers and Applications” or any other course which requires competency in one or more of the above functions (a list of applicable courses appears below);
2. validation of computer-related academic or work experience; or
3. successful completion of a computer proficiency assessment.

In the course schedule:

A section number of C = A face to face course in which computers will be used at least 50% during the course meeting time.
A section number of W = A class is 100% online, including testing.
A section number of X = Online course, with proctored exams.
A section number of Y = Hybrid course with 50% instruction face-to-face and 50% instruction online.

Courses Which Satisfy the Computer Proficiency Requirement

Course Substitutions

Degree-seeking students should follow the curriculum pattern for the major academic area they select as it is outlined in the catalog. In special cases, students may be permitted to modify their associate degree program by substituting a course of related subject matter for a required course. To initiate this procedure, students must first have the approval of their advisor. They may then complete a Degree Advisement Worksheet form available in the Office of Records and Graduation Services or in the division office. Substitution for any required course in a degree plan specified in the college catalog requires approval by the dean of the division offering the degree and the Registrar.

Delayed Degrees

Grade changes and/or “I” grade completions must be submitted within two weeks of the end of the semester in which a student expects to graduate. Submission after that time will result in the delayed conferral of the degree. The degree will be officially conferred at the end of the next semester.

Disclosure of Graduation Rates

Oklahoma City Community College, in compliance with the Student Right-to-Know Act, makes available to any enrolled or prospective student its completion or graduation rate. This information is available upon request in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

Double Majors

The College offers students the option of pursuing a double major: one degree with two majors, as long as the second major is within the same type of degree sought. Students pursuing an Associate in Arts Degree (A.A.) may elect a second major offered under A.A.; students pursuing an Associate in Science Degree (A.S.) may elect a second major offered under A.S.; students pursuing an Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) may elect a second major offered under A.A.S. In addition to meeting the general requirements for the particular associate degree, the student must also meet the specific requirements for each major elected.

Graduation Application Procedure

All students should apply for graduation immediately after enrolling in the final semester of classes needed for their degree. If transfer hours have been earned at another institution the student must submit official transcripts to the Records and Graduation Office before a degree can be conferred. At least 15 of the semester credit hours presented for a degree must be earned at Oklahoma City Community College. For a second degree, at least 15 additional OCCC credit hours that were not applied to the first degree and are applicable to the second degree must have been earned. Applications are available on the college website or in the Records and Graduation Office during regular office hours.

Students are responsible for purchasing their caps and gowns through the Bookstore and will be available for purchase beginning in March.. The previous summer and fall graduates, along with spring candidates, are eligible to participate in the ceremony. Students who will complete degree requirements by the end of the following summer may also be allowed to participate. In order for a student to have their name included in the Commencement Program, a graduation application must have been submitted to the Records and Graduation office no later than the Friday of Spring Break, no exceptions.

Administrative Policy No. 5014

www.occc.edu/GET • (405) 682-7519

Options Within a Major

Students may complete one or more options within a major depending upon the selected program of study. An option is a special subgrouping of relevant courses within a major.

While it is possible to earn only one degree in a specific major, students may choose to complete several options within that one major. Diplomas and certificates will reflect the official degree only. Students can verify that they completed work within an option by presenting their transcripts which will show the courses that were completed.

Additional verification of option completion may be obtained from the Office of Records and Graduation Services.

Residency Requirements for a Degree or Certificate

Certain residency hours are required for a student to earn a degree or certificate from Oklahoma City Community College. Students applying for an Associate of Science or Associate of Arts degree must earn a minimum of 15 credit hours, which are clearly applicable to the degree at this college. Students applying for an Associate of Applied Science degree must earn a minimum of 15 credit hours at the college that are clearly applicable to the degree at this college or have been approved by an advisor. Students wishing to earn a certificate are required to earn at least 4 hours of a 15-hour (or less) program, 9 hours of a 16- to 36-hour program or 12 hours of a 37- to 49-hour program at Oklahoma City Community College.

Although credit hours earned as advanced standing are encouraged as a means for meeting degree requirements, they are excluded when calculating resident credit hours.

Second Associate Degree

A second associate degree may be awarded provided the following requirements are met: a) Completion of the general and specific requirements for both degrees. b) Selection of a major different from that studied for the first degree. c) Presentation of a minimum of 15 credits from Oklahoma City Community College in addition to those presented for the first degree and which are clearly applicable to the second degree sought.

Selection of Catalog

Students who have been actively pursuing their degree requirements may complete the requirements which were stated in the College Catalog at the time they declared a major and were accepted into a degree program or of any subsequent College Catalog.

Students are considered to be actively pursuing their degree requirements when they have earned a minimum of six credit hours at Oklahoma City Community College during each 12-month period.

Students who have not been actively pursuing their degree must complete the requirements which are stated in the current College Catalog at the time they apply for graduation.