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Graduation Information

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Graduation Requirements
TSC awards the Associates of Arts (AA) Degree, Associate of Science (AS) Degree, Associate of General Studies (AGS) Degree, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree, and various Certificates. The following graduation requirements generally
apply for each degree or certificate conferred:

To be eligible for the Associate of Arts (AA) Degree, Associate of Science (AS) Degree, Associate of General Studies (AGS) Degree or the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree granted by Trinidad State College, the student must:

  1. Fulfill the curricular requirements of the degree program as outlined in the College Catalog and State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education policies.
  2. Complete common core of general education courses as prescribed by the program selected.
  3. Have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average 2.0.
  4. Have completed a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours at TSC.
  5. Have completed all courses with a grade of “C” or above.

Note:
Students who complete all required courses in the appropriate areas with grades of “C” or better will have their transcript stamped “core transfer program completed.” When a student has not satisfactorily completed the core courses prior to transfer, the receiving institution will review and accept courses on a course-bycourse basis in relation to college/university requirements.

To be eligible for a Certificate granted by TSC, students must:

  1. Fulfill the curricular requirements of the occupational program pursued as outlined in the College catalog.
  2. Have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average 2.0.
  3. Have completed all courses with a grade of “C” or above.

Applying for Graduation
All students must apply for graduation to participate or walk at graduation. Students may complete graduation requirements anytime during a specific term; however, the official graduation date that is posted on the student’s transcript is the last day of full-term classes for the appropriate term. TSC holds one formal graduation ceremony for all three terms. This is held at the end of spring semester.

It is recommended that the student schedule an appointment with the advisor for verification of eligibility for graduation at the beginning of the semester in which the student will complete his/her program of study. The student should review the following areas with his/her advisor:

  1. Confirm that the course and area of study is correct for the Current Academic Program;
  2. Confirm that all transfer credit and Credit for Prior Learning that applies to the student’s current program has been posted on the transcript;
  3. Confirm with the advisor that all course substitutions and/or waivers that were previously discussed have been approved and posted to the student’s record;
  4. To participate in the graduation ceremony please submit a complete Application for Graduation upon appropriate verification of eligibility as outlined in: (A) for fulfilling curricular requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree, Associate of Science Degree, Associate of General Studies Degree or Associate of Applied Science Degree; or in (B) for fulfilling curricular requirements for a Certificate;
  5. Complete Exit Interview with Financial Aid Office.

The Application for Graduation Form must be completed and returned to the Office of the Registrar, Berg 108 or Valley Campus Student Services Office, prior to the following Graduation Application Deadlines to be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony:
Fall - November 1
Spring - March 1
Summer - June 30

Applications for Graduation are available from the following areas: Registrar’s Office, Student Services Office, or https://trinidadstate.edu/pdf/students/documents/app_for_graduation.pdf

Commencement Program:
Graduate’s name, program and hometown will be listed in the Spring commencement program.

Graduation Honors
Graduation honors recognize outstanding academic achievement throughout a student’s academic career at the home institution. The honors are awarded to students who complete the requirements for an associate degree and earn a 3.5 or better cumulative grade point average at the institution. Only college level courses completed at the institution will be included in the GPA calculation. For those students transferring credits from another institution, Trinidad State College requires a minimum of 15 credits to be earned in residence to be eligible for graduation honors. The three levels of recognition are defined as follows and will be posted on the student’s transcript.

  • Cum Laude (“with honor”)
    3.50 to 3.749 Cumulative GPA
  • Magna Cum Laude (“with great honor”)
    3.75 to 3.990 Cumulative GPA
  • Summa Cum Laude (“with greatest honor”)
    4.00 Cumulative GPA

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Graduates:
Phi Theta Kappa is recognized by the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges as the only official honor fraternity for two-year colleges. PTK recognizes and encourages scholarship among college students. PTK provides opportunity for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence, for the development of leadership and service and for lively fellowship of scholars.

The Gamma Xi Chapter, the oldest PTK Chapter in Colorado, was chartered at Trinidad State College in 1937. Students will be invited to join Gamma Xi chapter if they perform academically as follows: A grade point average of 3.5 must be obtained during a semester in which a student is enrolled in a minimum of 12 college level credit hours. A cumulative 3.5 GPA must be maintained to retain membership. Membership is open to all students without regard to their status as candidates for a degree. PTK members in good standing are permitted to wear the PTK gold stole at graduation indicating their participation in the Honor Fraternity.

To promote scholarship and academic excellence in the profession of nursing, the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN), has established the Alpha Delta Nu honor society which is active on both campuses.

Psi Beta (ΨΒ):
Psi Beta (ΨΒ) is a scholastic honor society that recognizes academic achievement among students in the field of Psychology at Two-Year Colleges. The society was incorporated in Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 5, 1981, and admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies in 1994. Psi Beta honor society has active chapters across the United States, and a total membership of approximately 38,000. The mission of Psi Beta honor society is professional development of psychology students at two-year colleges through promotion and recognition of excellence in scholarship, leadership, research, and community service.

Veteran Honor Cords:
The red, white, and blue honor cords are one way to show graduating veterans how much Trinidad State appreciates their service, through their self-sacrifice and service to our country, in addition to the pride we feel for their latest academic success. We hope these cords will inspire a sense of pride and patriotism not only in our veteran graduates, but in every one of us.

Scholastic Achievement List:
Students who excel in their courses of study at TSC may qualify to be named to the Scholastic Achievement List.

President’s List:
Students who enroll in twelve or more college credit hours and earned a 4.0 grade point average are recognized on the President’s List.

Vice-President’s List:
Students who enroll in twelve or more college credit hours and earn a grade point average between 3.75 and 3.99 are recognized on the Vice-President’s List.

Dean’s List:
Students who enroll in twelve or more college credit hours and earn a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.749 are recognized on the Dean’s List.