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Return to: Policies, Regulations, and Rules
It is strongly recommended that you run a new degree audit each time you register for classes or when changes are made to your academic record (e.g., course substitutions, transfer credits, major or certificate changes). Doing so helps ensure you remain on track to meet graduation requirements.
Commencement
Aims holds two commencement ceremonies each year-one at the end of the fall semester and one at the end of the spring semester. Degrees are awarded at the end of each semester: fall, spring, and summer.
To participate in a commencement ceremony, you must be included on the tentative graduation list prior to the published deadline for that ceremony. If you do not apply for graduation, your name will not appear in the commencement program or on any graduation list. Graduation deadlines can be found on the Graduation Website.
For ceremony details, regalia ordering, and distribution information, please visit the Commencement page.
What if I don’t have an active mailing address for my diploma?
If you do not have an active mailing address on file, your diploma will be held for one year. After one year, if no address has been provided, you will need to re-order your diploma and pay a reissue fee. To update your mailing address, contact the Records Office at 970-339-6404 or email gradapp@aims.edu.
If you need to reorder a diploma or certificate, you will do so through Parchment, the same platform used for transcript requests. Select “Replacement Diploma.” Please note that all reissued diplomas and certificates will be marked “reissued,” as students may only receive one original document. For help with your Parchment account, visit the Transcripts page.
Degree Conferral Policy
Once a degree or certificate has been officially awarded, the academic record is locked and no changes will be made under any circumstances.
When all requirements for a degree or certificate are met, it must be awarded in the term in which it is brought to the attention of the Registration and Records Office. Students may not request a delay in awarding once all graduation requirements have been satisfied.
Effective Catalog
The catalog in effect at the time of a student’s initial enrollment is typically used to determine degree or certificate requirements. However, at the time of graduation, the catalog used may be no more than four years old. Students may choose to follow the requirements of any catalog published during that four-year period, including the current catalog. This decision should be made well before submitting a graduation application.
Students who have a break in enrollment may be required to meet the program requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of readmission, especially if program changes have occurred. Previously completed coursework may be evaluated for relevance to any revised program. If a program has been discontinued-or if official notice of discontinuance has been issued-students may not re-enroll in that program.
The College reserves the right to:
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Substitute courses that are no longer offered
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Modify course content at any time
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Approve the substitution of one course for another within a degree or certificate program
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Waive course prerequisites or corequisites as appropriate
Graduation Honors
Graduation honors recognize exceptional academic achievement throughout a student’s academic career. Honors are based on the cumulative grade point average (GPA) for all coursework completed at the 1000-level or above at Aims Community College.
Degree-Seeking Students
Students graduating with a degree who have completed at least 30 letter-graded credits (A-F) at Aims and meet the GPA criteria will receive the following honors:
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Cum Laude: 3.50 - 3.69 cumulative Aims GPA
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Magna Cum Laude: 3.70 - 3.99 cumulative Aims GPA
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Summa Cum Laude: 4.00 cumulative Aims GPA
Certificate-Seeking Students
Students graduating with a certificate who have completed at least 15 letter-graded credits (A-F) at Aims and meet the GPA criteria will receive the following honors:
To be recognized at the Commencement Ceremony, students must meet the GPA requirements at the end of the term immediately preceding the ceremony.
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For the fall ceremony, GPA eligibility is based on the most recently completed term prior to fall
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For the spring ceremony, GPA eligibility is based on the most recently completed term prior to spring
Credits enrolled in during the fall or spring term do count toward the minimum credit requirement for recognition.
Eligible students participating in the ceremony will receive gold honor cords with their regalia, which can be picked up at the Bookstore. Honors distinctions will also be noted in the commencement program.
Final graduation honors will be officially recorded on the academic transcript if the student meets the criteria at the completion of the term in which they are certified for graduation.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements for each degree and certificate program are outlined in the Degree and Certificate Information section of the Aims Catalog. The catalog in effect at the time you declare a program will determine your graduation requirements. If you do not maintain continuous enrollment (defined as a break of three semesters or more), you must follow the requirements in the catalog in effect at the time of your return.
Things to Know Before You Apply for Graduation
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All degrees and/or certificates must be declared before applying for graduation. You can confirm your declared programs by reviewing the Academics Overview tab in your Workday profile. If you apply to graduate in a program that is not officially declared, your application will be denied.
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You should submit your Graduation Application after registering for your final semester. Ensure that all requirements will be met before applying. If any requirements will be completed by other means (e.g., transfer work, challenge exams, substitutions / waivers), submit your application and email gradapp@aims.edu immediately with those details.
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Summer graduates may participate in the Spring commencement ceremony and can apply for graduation after registering for Spring courses.
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All course substitutions must be submitted prior to applying for graduation.
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If you are transferring credits from another institution, begin the transfer credit evaluation process at least 30 business days before the end of your graduation term. Visit the Transfer Information page for details.
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If you are taking a course at another institution during your graduation term, email gradapp@aims.edu with the course details after submitting your graduation application. You must send an official transcript with final grades as soon as they are posted. Be sure to review posted deadlines for when transcripts must be received.
How to Apply for Graduation
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Use the “Submitting an Official Graduation Application” job aid in Workday for step-by-step guidance
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After submitting, you will receive a confirmation notification in your Workday account
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All program requirements must show as fulfilled or in progress for your application to be reviewed. If you are meeting requirements through other means (e.g., transfer work, challenge exam, course substitutions), email gradapp@aims.edu with that information
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Without communication about outstanding requirements, your graduation application will be denied. If denied, it is your responsibility to work with your advisor and reapply once requirements are resolved
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Graduation applications are reviewed in the order received. If applying for a future term, your application will not be processed until reviews for that term begin
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If you need to make any changes after submitting your application (e.g., changes to classes, major, or graduation term), email gradapp@aims.edu with your updated plans
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Graduation term changes will only be allowed if you no longer meet course requirements for the original term (e.g., you dropped or withdrew from a course)
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You cannot change your graduation term solely to participate in a different commencement ceremony
For more details, please refer to the Degree Conferral Policy on the Graduation page
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