Graduation

Students must have been enrolled in the college for at least one term during the 60 months preceding the time they submit their application for graduation to the Office of Registration and Records. Diploma and associate degree students must submit completed graduation applications to the Office of Registration and Records and the required $40 graduation fee to the cashier no later than the third week of the semester they plan to graduate. Students enrolled in technical certificates of credit (TCCs) must also submit completed graduation applications to the Office of Registration and Records no later than the third week of the semester they plan to graduate. Students must meet all graduation requirements (as published in the Curriculum section of this catalog) and satisfy all financial obligations to the college before graduation. Students must have a minimum graduation grade point average of 2.0, regardless of academic standing, in order to graduate (see Graduation Grade Point Average). The college recognizes students as honor graduates if they earn a graduation grade point average of 4.0. The college recognizes students as presidential scholars if they earn a graduation grade point average of between 3.75 and 3.99 and as deans' scholars if they earn a graduation grade point average of between 3.50 and 3.74.

The college holds a graduation ceremony each year at the conclusion of Spring Semester to recognize associate degree and diploma students who successfully complete their programs of study. Students who complete TCCs only do not participate in annual graduation ceremonies. The Spring Semester graduation ceremony is the only sanctioned ceremony held by Athens Technical College. Programs that complete in another semester may participate in pinning and/or recognition ceremonies with prior approval from the vice president of academic affairs; however, the Spring ceremony is the only formal ceremony to recognize students. Students participating in the ceremony must wear academic attire purchased from the college bookstore. Academic attire (caps and gowns) must be free from ornaments, signs, posters, and/or other decorations. Programs who wish to decorate academic caps must have prior approval from the vice president of academic affairs.