Graduation

Applying for Graduation

Students should apply for graduation during the Fall semester for the Spring semester graduation date.  Students should register for their final semester and consult with their advisor prior to submitting the graduation application to the Office of Admissions and Records. Student may submit graduation applications online at https://sw.edu/graduation. No fees are required for the graduation apparel or diplomas.

Graduation Eligibility

In order to determine eligibility for graduation or the specific courses needed to meet graduation requirements, students should consult with their advisor or check with the Office of Admissions and Records.

Commencement Exercises

Commencement exercises are conducted at the end of spring semester and includes students who completed graduation requirements in the preceding fall and upcoming summer semesters. Students are urged to attend commencement unless extenuating circumstances justify their absence. Diplomas will be mailed to students after confirmation that their degree requirements have been completed.

Posthumous Award Policy

A deceased student who did not complete all requirements for his/her degree, diploma, certificate or other Southwest Virginia Community College-conferred award at the time of death may be thus awarded posthumously provided the following conditions are met:

1. The student was enrolled and in good academic and disciplinary standing at the time of death.
2. The student had completed a minimum of 50% of the program requirements for his/her degree.
3. The academic division dean of the deceased student’s primary program of study will initiate a written request for the posthumous award within 12 months of the student’s death. The request shall be submitted to the Office of Admissions & Records after ascertaining that Conditions 1 and 2 have been met. Admissions will then submit the request to the president for final approval.
4. This policy is in effect for students enrolled in Fall of 2018 and all subsequent terms.