Graduation Information

Office of the Registrar
(253) 288-3383

When students are two quarters away from completing their educational program, they should submit an Intent to Graduate form to the Office of the Registrar.

The Intent to Graduate form and detailed instructions are available at the Office of the Registrar or on the Office of the Registrar webpage online. Students may also run an Academic Advisement Report in ctcLink to track progress. To be eligible for graduation, students must have accomplished the following:

• Completed all admissions requirements
• Earned a minimum grade point average of 2.0
• Completed 24 credits at Green River (doesn’t pertain to high school diploma or career/technical certificate candidates)
• Completed all degree requirements as specified by the Green River catalog

Students may graduate using the degree requirements in effect during their first quarter of enrollment at Green River College for up to six years. After six years, students must meet the requirements listed in the current catalog. Students may petition the Degree Exception Committee with proof of continuous enrollment to be exempt from this requirement.

Students may graduate at the end of any quarter.

Commencement

One commencement ceremony is held at the end of the academic year. Any student who has been approved for graduation during the academic year is eligible to participate in the June ceremony. Students who plan to complete their requirements during the following summer quarter may apply for graduation and participate in the ceremony. All diplomas will be mailed to students three to four weeks after grades are posted in the quarter in which they have completed their program.

Degree Exception

In some cases, students may wish to appeal the graduation requirements. All requests must be in writing (see the Office of the Registrar for degree exception forms) and should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar for action. The Degree Exception Committee meets twice per quarter during fall, winter and spring. Written faculty and/or advisor approval is required when submitting a request.

Graduation Awards

Academic Honors

Degree-level academic honors are bestowed as recognition of outstanding academic achievement at the completion of a two-year or four-year degree. Academic honors are based on grades earned at Green River College. A minimum of 24 credits must be graded (not pass/non-credit). Honors are determined based on the cumulative grade point average of all courses completed at Green River.

Graduates who achieve outstanding grade point averages are eligible to purchase honor regalia to wear at commencement and are recognized in the commencement program. All levels of honors will be noted on the diploma and Green River transcript.

Dean’s List

Quarterly academic honors are bestowed as recognition of outstanding academic achievement at the completion of each quarter. The official Green River College record that a student has qualified for the Dean’s List is the notation on the student’s Green River College transcript.

In order to qualify, a student must:

• Be enrolled in a credential-seeking program (e.g., certificate, 2-year or 4-year degree);
• Earn at least twelve (12) credits of graded course work, and
• Earn a quarterly GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Scholastic Awards

Scholastic awards celebrate student success by recognizing graduates who:

• Earn a degree in arts, business, math, elementary education, pre-nursing, science, applied arts, and applied science, or applied bachelor programs
• Attain a minimum 3.9 grade point average (includes transfer credits and grades from all quarters except the spring quarter in which they may be graduating)
• Earn a minimum of 24 credits at Green River
• Earn no more than 25 percent of the required credits on a pass/no-credit basis

Division Awards

Presented to a student who has exhibited exemplary academic contributions and success in an instructional division’s program..

International Student Award

Presented to a student who has achieved academic excellence, demonstrated leadership qualities and made an outstanding contribution to the on-campus international environment.

Leadership and Service Awards

Presented to students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership or have contributed significant service to the campus and local communities.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award

Presented to a student who has achieved academic success and has made outstanding contributions to the diversity of the College.

Bachelor of Applied Science Program Awards

Presented to students who have exhibited exemplary academic contributions and success in a Bachelor of Applied Science program.

Running Start Award

Presented to a Running Start student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, graduating with an Associate degree from Green River College.

Open Doors Award

Presented to an Open Doors student who has demonstrated outstanding perseverance and leadership while achieving their academic goal at Green River College.

President’s Award

Presented to a student who has exhibited academic success through outstanding citizenship, remarkable personal qualities and high academic achievement.