Graduation
Congrats to the Class of 2026! If you did not receive or would like an extra program, email marketing [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (marketing[at]arapahoe[dot]edu). A reminder about Step 2, you will receive your diploma or certificate 4-6 weeks after final grades are posted.
Congratulations, you are an ĢƵ Graduate! ĢƵ's Annual CommencementCeremony celebrates the hard work and dedication of our students. It is time to celebrate the degree or certificate you have earned. ĢƵ's 60th Annual Commencement Ceremony will take place Friday, May 14, 2027 at 1:00pm at within the Ritchie Center on the University of Denver Campus. Learn more about ĢƵ's Commencement Ceremony.
You are eligible to participate in the annual ceremony if you:
- Finished your program requirements during the Fall 2026semesters
- Are enrolled for Spring 2027and will complete all program requirements by the end of the Spring semester
- Will enroll for Summer 2027and will complete all program requirements by the end of the Summer semester
Steps to Graduate
Before you celebrate, there are a few steps you need to take to receive your diploma / certificate and take part in ĢƵ’s Commencement Ceremony. What is the difference between graduation and commencement? Graduation is earning your degree or certificate. Commencement is the ceremony celebrating you earning your degree or certificate.
Graduation is earning your degree or certificate.
To receive your diploma and/or certificate:
Complete a graduation application for each degree or certificate. You can find the graduation application in your . Login, go to the Student page, find the Student Forms card, go to Records & Registration Forms, and you'll find the Graduation Application form. Did you earn a certificate while completing your degree? Apply to receive both!
- ĢƵ will email you a degree audit
- ĢƵ reviews degrees and certificates throughout the semester for those who complete the application
- Application deadlines: (Did you miss a deadline? Apply now.)
- October 31 for graduation in the fall semester
- March 15 for graduation in the spring semester and to have your name in the Commencement program
*We cannot guarantee your name will be in the program if you apply after March 15, 2027. - June 30 for graduation in the summer semester
We will mail your diploma/certificate to the home address we have on file. The graduation application has a box for you to check if you have a new address. Not sure you checked the box? You can update and check the address we have on file in myĢƵ, under Personal Information, on the Student tab. *Degrees/certificates will be mailed 4-6 weeks after final grades are posted for the semester in which you complete your program requirements.
Commencementis the ceremony celebrating you earning your degree or certificate.
to let us know if you will be a part of the celebration or opt out. Have a question about the ceremony email studentsuccess [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (studentsuccess[at]arapahoe[dot]edu). Watch your email and Navigate360 for updates. Please note, only names of graduates physically attending the ceremony will be announced on the live stream. Deadline to is 11:59pm Sunday, May 10, 2027.
ĢƵ will cover the cost of your cap, gown, and tassel (including shipping and tax) for graduates participating in the ceremony. Details will be sent to your ĢƵ student email on how to order your cap, gown, and tassel 24 hours after has been received. Questions? Email studentsuccess [at] arapahoe [dot] edu.
- Bachelor's Degree -Black cap and gown
- Associate Degree and/or Certificate - Purple cap and gown
- All graduates will have a purple / white tassel.
YES, you may decorate your cap. Check out the Digital Party Pack for ideas.
Information on cords, stoles, or other organization graduation items:
- Graduation Honors (cords) will be provided to students earning a bachelor's or associate degreeduring check-in for the ceremony. Graduation Honors for the ceremony are based on cumulative Fall GPA.
- Cum Laude (“with honor”): 3.50 to 3.749 Cumulative GPA
- Magna Cum Laude (“with great honor”): 3.75 to 3.99 Cumulative GPA
- Summa Cum Laude (“with highest honor”): 4.00 Cumulative GPA
- Cords, stoles, pins, or other organization and club items will be communicated to you by your advisor or mentor.
- for PTK Honor Society Regalia
- for NSLS Honor Society Regalia
The ĢƵ Alumni Network will keep you connected to ĢƵ, your fellow graduates, and ĢƵ Services. As a member, we will help you with career services, campus discounts, and networking events.
Graduating is a really big deal! You should be proud of your accomplishments. Tell people!Get your party started with our digital party pack filled with a digital and downloadable graduation announcement, decorations, digital photo props, cap decorating ideas, and more. All of ĢƵ — from your faculty to support staff to administrators — congratulate you!
*Please be aware of phishing attempts associated with graduation. ĢƵ works exclusively with Barnes & Noble Campus / ĢƵ Bookstore on cap and gown, GradImages on photos, and the University of Denver on commencement DVD. Any other solicitation you may receive is not an offer being made by ĢƵ. tanya [dot] brown [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (Contact us) if you have a question about a specific offer.
Commencement Day
ĢƵ's 60th Annual Commencement Ceremony will take place Friday, May 14, 2027 at 1:00pm at within the Ritchie Center on the University of Denver Campus. There will be free parking in specific campus lots. DU has a CLEAR Bag Policy and a list of prohibited items at commencement (listed below).
Congratulations Pumas! We can't wait to celebrate with you!
Check in for graduates begins at 11:30am. Graduates must be on site by 12:15pm. Doors will open at 11:30am for guests. The ceremony will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are no tickets needed for our commencement. We will also provide a live . Please note, only names of graduates physically attending the ceremony will be announced on the live stream. ASL and Spanish translation services will be available. ASL Interpreters will be located on the floor below Section 4. A headset for Spanish translation can be picked up at Section 4. Commencement is for students who earned a certificate, or degree at any time during the academic year.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests must proceed to the west side of The Ritchie Center to be reunited with graduates. Graduates will exit from the lower level of the arena at the soccer and lacrosse stadium.
Family members and guests of graduates do not need tickets for the ceremony. Doors will open at 11:30am. Graduates must be on site by 12:15pm.
ASL and Spanish language translation services will be available at Section 4. Read about Free Parking and the DU Visitor Guide.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests must proceed to the west side of The Ritchie Center to be reunited with graduates. Graduates will exit from the lower level of the arena at the soccer and lacrosse stadium.
The Ritchie Center has a CLEAR BAG policy for graduation ceremonies. Guests who require a diaper bag or bag for medical equipment are permitted to bring a bag no larger than 12 in. x 6 in. x 12 in. All guests entering with medical or diaper bags are subject to visual screening upon entry. There is no bag check available. Guests will not be allowed to enter with an unapproved bag.
The following items are prohibited within The Richie Center for all events in Magness Arena and Hamilton Gymnasium.
- Animals (except licensed service animals)
- Artificial noisemakers, air horns, whistles, etc.
- Balloons, confetti, frisbees, balls, other projectiles
- Candles or open flames
- Derogatory/defamatory clothing or signage
- Firearms, weapons, and dangerous devices
- Flash photography, video cameras, recording devises, cameras with detachable lenses
- Fireworks
- Hard-shell coolers, containers, thermoses (including hydroflasks and metal water bottles)
- Illegal drugs or alcohol
- Inflatable objects (beach balls, latex balloons, clappers, etc)
- Laser pointers or other disturbing items
- Outside food and beverages, including empty or full plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cans
- Oversized signs or banners (larger than 28"x22")to include signage with a stick or pole attached
- Other items deemed prohibited by Richie Center and Event Staff
GradImages will be taking photographs of graduates at Commencement as you receive your diploma cover* and as you exit. GradImages® is proud to be the official graduation photographer for Arapahoe Community College. Finding your photos will be easy. You will receive your free photo proofs via email or mail after the ceremony or visit to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more. For assistance, please contact the GradImages Customer Service Department at 800.261.2576.
DU will offer, for purchase, a copy of the commencement video. Forms and information will be available at Commencement. We will provide . Request a DVD of the ceremony.
Contacts
Graduation Requirements
Records & Enrollment Services
records [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (records[at]arapahoe[dot]edu)
303.797.5621
Commencement Ceremony Questions
studentsuccess [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (studentsuccess[at]arapahoe[dot]edu)
DU Magness Arena Visitors Guide
Related Links
Arapahoe Community College's 60th Annual Commencement
Location: Magness Arena
Friday, May 14, 2027
1:00pm
Watch the . Congratulations to our graduates!
