Graduation: Questions & Answers

Graduation application

  • What are the graduation application deadlines?
  • What happens if I miss the deadline?
  • How will I know whether my application has been received?
  • What should I do if I have questions?
  • What should I do if I've completed more than one program of study?
    • You may select each program when you complete your graduation application.
  • Can I receive more than one degree?
    • Students may earn Certificates before or during the same semester they earn the Associate of Applied Science degree in the same concentration. Students may earn multiple Associate of Applied Science degrees.

      Students may earn a second transfer degree of the same type (AA, AS) as long as 12 credit hours of coursework are unique to the subsequent degree(s). The unique coursework requirement will be waived for students who previously earned a degree in General Studies.

  • If I don't finish requirements, will my application carry over to the next term?
    • Not automatically, however you can request that your application be moved to the next term. Contact the Degree Audit and Graduation Services office at graduation@austincc.edu so your application may be moved to the appropriate term.
  • What if I finish my degree in one term but don't apply until later?
  • Why do I have to apply for graduation?
    • Your graduation application signals the college to begin an official degree audit. It also tells us that it's time to order your diploma.
  • What is a degree audit?
    • A degree audit is the process of checking your records to verify you have met all of the requirements for graduation. This includes making sure that transfer courses and substitutions have been properly applied to your degree or certificate program. The Graduation Office completes an official degree audit when you apply to graduate. You may complete an unofficial degree audit/program evaluation through Online Services.

Graduation/degree requirements

  • How do I know whether I am ready to apply for graduation?
  • What is my catalog in effect?
    • Your catalog in effect is the catalog you have been following to meet degree requirements. View Catalog
  • What is the "in residence" rule?
    • You must complete no less than 25 percent of your ACC program of study in regular classroom classes or Distance Learning classes. These are considered in residence classes. CLEP, AP, course challenges, or military training will not meet the in residence rule. This is an accreditation authority requirement.  
  • My program evaluation says courses aren't completed. What should I do?
  • I don't know who my faculty advisor is. What should I do?
  • I have an Incomplete (I) grade on my transcript. Can I still apply to graduate?
    • Courses that have Incomplete or Audited (I or AU on your transcript) cannot be used to fulfill degree or certificate requirements.

ACC diploma

  • When will I receive my diploma or certificate?
    • Parchment, ACC's diploma printer, will mail your diploma to the address listed on the graduation application eight to ten weeks following the end of the semester. Confirm your current address with the Graduation Office before the last day of the semester you intend to graduate.
  • Can I pick up my diploma instead of having it mailed to me?
    • In-person diploma pick-up is not an option; all diplomas are delivered by mail by ACC's diplomas printer.

      At the end of each semester, the Graduation Office orders diplomas. The diplomas are mailed to the address on your graduation application by Parchment. IMPORTANT: Confirm your current address with the Graduation Office before end of semester.

      Allow eight to ten weeks for processing official degree and certificate diplomas.

  • Can I get additional copies of my diploma?
    • Yes. For a small fee, you can order replacement or duplicate copies of your diploma online. After your replacement diploma is ordered, you will be able to set up an account with Parchment to receive electronic credentials in addition to your physical diploma.

      NEW for graduates of Summer 2020 and forward: You can also get electronic credentials by setting up an account with Parchment. You will receive instructions via your ACC email account after the Graduation Office submits the diploma order.