WHAT’S A PETITON TO GRADUATE AND WHO NEEDS TO FILL ONE OUT?
You must submit a Petition to Graduate (PTG) during your final or next to last semester so that the Registrar knows to audit your
academic record and graduate you from your program regardless of whether you plan
to participate in the commencement ceremony. Eligible students will receive communication
about the commencement ceremony later in the spring.
PTGs are available for May, August, December, and January graduation dates, though
there is only one graduation ceremony in May.
- If you plan to complete your certificate or degree by May 15th, regardless of whether
you plan to attend the commencement ceremony, you must fill out a PTG.
- If you have only 2 classes remaining for the summer semester you may fill out a PTG
in the spring if you’d like to participate in the May commencement ceremony. Participating
in the commencement ceremony doesn’t mean that you graduated, so make sure you complete
your classes in the summer. If you don’t complete your classes in the summer, you
should meet with your advisor and fill out a new PTG in your final semester.
- Your advisor will review your academic record and make sure you are on track to meet
the requirements to graduate on May 15th or are eligible to participate in the commencement
exercises.
- The deadline to submit the spring Petition to Graduate is March 13th, 2026, midnight.
If we don’t receive your PTG on time, it’s possible that your name won’t appear in
the commencement booklet.
HOW DO I SUBMIT A PETITION TO GRADUATE?
Please reach out to your advisor to initiate a conversation about your eligibility
to graduate. You may do so in person, through Navigate360, or via your RCC email.
Your advisor will walk you through the process of filling out and submitting the form.
For questions about your courses, download the Navigate360 app and schedule an appointment
with your advisor:
Or, use the Navigate360 link: https://rccmass.campus.eab.com/
The Center for Student SUCCESS, Advising & Retention is in Room 201, Building 3. Questions…reach
out via e-mail (AdvisingStaff@rcc.mass.edu) or MS Teams (advisingstaffemail@rcc.mass.edu).
WHO’S INVITED TO THE MAY 15TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY?
- Students completing their programs by May 15th who have an approved PTG processed by the Registrar will be invited to the May 15th commencement ceremony.
- Students who have only 2 classes remaining for the summer semester and have an approved
PTG processed by the Registrar will be invited to the May commencement ceremony.
- If you received an email from the Registrar letting you know that you completed your
degree or certificate in August 2025, December 2025, or January 2026, you will also
be invited to the May 15th commencement ceremony.
WHEN WILL I HEAR MORE ABOUT THE CEREMONY AND HOW TO GET MY CAP AND GOWN?
- Information about the ceremony will be sent to you when we’re closer to the ceremony.
WHAT’S THE GRADUATION PROCESS?
- After grades are due on May 21st, the Registrar’s office will audit records for students who submitted a PTG for the
May 15th conferral. You will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office letting you know
if you met the requirements to graduate. If you met the requirements, we’ll explain
how to order your transcript and when your diploma will arrive. If you didn’t meet
the requirements you should meet with your advisor and fill out a new PTG in your
final semester.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact the advising department if you have any questions or concerns about
PTGs. If you submitted a PTG prior to spring 2025 you will need to submit another
one. You may check with the Registrar’s Office by replying to this email if you think
you may already have a PTG on file for spring 2026.
