Graduation FAQs

You can fill out the Program Progress Check here to have an Academic Advisor review your progress. For more information, please refer to the graduation application instructions. 

You can apply for graduation in advance, but your degree will not be awarded until all requirements are met. 

There is no limit on how many degrees or certificates you can graduate with; however, we recommend applying for graduation as you earn each one instead of collecting them all. Please meet with your advisor to determine eligibility and all your options. 

Your degree will not be awarded that semester, but you are still welcome to walk in the Spring commencement ceremony. Applications submitted after the graduation application deadline that qualify for graduation will have their degrees awarded during the next semester.

There is no electronic graduation application form available at this time. Please connect with your academic advisor or refer back to the graduation application instructions for how to apply for graduation.

Yes. Advisor approval is required before your graduation application can be submitted. Schedule a meeting with your advisor here.

No, it’s optional, but we hope that you do. 

Graduation will take place on May 15, 2026 at Desert Diamond Arena. See the commencement details page for more information. 

Yes, guests are welcome, and tickets are not required.

A purple cap and gown are required. Additional details on how to purchase your cap and gown will be emailed to your Maricopa email address after you apply for graduation. 

Yes, your name will be called

Contact Disability Resources and Services in advance. 

You can still participate in the commencement ceremony; however, your name will not be professionally pre-recorded, and your name, along with any honors and other designations, likely will not appear in the commencement program or related materials.

You will park in Lot G, and graduates will enter through Gate 7. Please note, all other guests must enter through Gate 4.
go.estrellamountain.edu/gradmap 

All courses used to fulfill graduation and degree requirements, including courses from other institutions outside of MCCCD are used in the grade point average calculation (GPA) at graduation. Degree-seeking students who have distinguished themselves with GPAs 3.50 and higher are recognized with the following graduation honors*: 

• 3.50 to 3.69 graduation “with distinction” 
• 3.70 to 3.89 graduation “with high distinction” 
• 3.90 to 4.0 graduation “with highest distinction” 

Certificate programs are not eligible for institutional honors. 

*GPA for honors distinction is calculated at the time of graduation application/petition submission and does not include any in-progress grades, grades received after the initial calculation, or grades not on file at the initial calculation. The final GPA and resulting distinction level will not be changed based on new grades.

• Honor cords based on GPA distinctions are distributed at the commencement ceremony check-in.
• Honors Program, Stoles, or PTK regalia are distributed by the Honors Department before the day of the ceremony. 

Special cords and program mentions. 

If you are eligible for graduation, you would have received an email to RSVP and order regalia for commencement. The deadline to order regalia is April 19th.  For any regalia questions, please email [email protected]

Typically early April. More information on specific deadlines will be added soon.

Yes, although students are still expected to follow the student rights and responsibilities. GradFest is May 7 and is an opportunity to celebrate, eat free food, and decorate your graduation cap (also known as a mortarboard). Learn more about GradFest and RSVP here.

Please visit the EMCC Transcript webpage for information on ordering official and unofficial transcripts. 

Diplomas are mailed via USPS within 90 days following the end of the semester in which you applied.

Through the Student Center or in person with Admissions and Records (update your email and phone number as well!)

Through the Alumni Association or the Student Center

Our support doesn’t stop when you graduate! The EMCC Career and Transfer Center is available to help graduates (and even community members) improve their resume, help with the job search, and prepare for interviews, all for free. 

Our Career and Transfer Center can help you explore the process and connect you with transfer representatives of other colleges. Schedule a time to meet with someone from our Career and Transfer Center using this link. 

Email [email protected] or call our Admissions and Records office at 623-935-8888, option 1

Your academic advisor

You can use the relevant scheduling link found here, visit the Welcome Center in the Komatke Enrollment Center, or call 623-935-8888 (Option 4).