Graduation Requirements

Confirm you’re on track, apply to graduate, and get set for commencement. Most of these steps happen in myOTC.

Graduation and Commencement: What’s the difference?

Graduation is the act of completing the requirements and receiving a degree in a chosen program. Commencement is the ceremony celebrating students who are graduating.

Graduation Eligibility Checklist

Confirm your degree audit (in myOTC)

Your eligibility to graduate is determined by the status of your degree audit. After registering for your last semester of classes, check your degree audit to make sure all requirements will be met with currently enrolled in or registered courses. If not, contact your college Navigator. For help reading your degree audit, please visit our degree audit website.

Missouri Civics Exam

All students graduating with an associate degree must pass the Missouri Civics Exam prior to graduation. Please check your degree audit for more information and to complete this requirement.

Apply to graduate (in myOTC)

Filling out the graduation application ensures that your name will be printed in the official commencement program at the ceremony. It’s easy to apply online in myOTC by clicking the Graduation button. If you have difficulty applying to graduate online or you don’t see the program you want to apply for listed, please contact the Registrar’s office and we will assist you.

Graduation application deadline

Applications will be accepted until the last day of classes for a student’s final semester. All late applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. Students who miss the deadline may graduate at the end of the following term.

Who should apply

All students in degree-seeking programs, whether or not you plan to attend the spring Commencement ceremony. NOTE:  Certified Clinical Medical Assistants are invited to attend the ceremony but do not apply for graduation since the program is not considered a “degree or certificate”.  Students in this program are automatically included in the commencement program.

When to apply

Students should apply for graduation early in the semester they will finish their last requirement. 
NOTE: Summer graduates should apply for summer graduation but submit their application in early spring in order to be included in the commencement ceremony program.

Complete exit loan counseling

Students who have borrowed student loans are required to complete exit loan counseling (external link).

Make sure your name is in the commencement program

To guarantee your name is listed in the commencement program, submit your application for graduation by April 1.