Graduation Policy

Degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit (TCC) are not issued automatically; it is the student’s responsibility to submit an application for graduation in order to be awarded a credential. To be eligible to graduate with a degree, diploma, and/or specified technical certificates of credit from Albany Technical College, a student must satisfactorily complete the program of study in which he/she is enrolled with a grade point average of 2.0; meet all requirements of the program of study; must satisfy the college’s residency requirement (see Residency Requirement); and must have, with the exception of certain programs* , completed a high school diploma or GED®. Students applying for the diploma and/or associate degree may also be awarded one or more embedded technical certificates within their program if all course requirements for the TCC are met.

*Certain academic programs may have different graduation requirements; please reference the Academic Programs section for requirements for each program of study.

Graduation exercises are scheduled for the end of Fall and Spring terms. All certificate, diploma, and degree students must achieve regular admission status before applying for graduation. Each student must submit an application for graduation to the office of the ATC registrar when they have pre-registered for their last class. Filing deadlines in order to participate on each ceremony are listed on the graduation application. Students are only eligible to participate in commencement if they are either sitting in their last set of required course(s) or have already completed all program requirements. Please note, summer semester graduates participation in the Fall ceremony.

Effective, Fall 2023, all graduates partcipating in commcement are required to purchase their own graduational regalia through the insitutions graduation vendor.

Graduation Checklist

Degree & Diploma students are expected to complete a Career Portfolio prior to graduation as a tool for success in employment. Program advisors will provide details about specific portfolio requirements for each program. Students must also visit the ATC Career Center to complete a Leaver form, and complete an Exit Interview at the Financial Aid office. Once the application is received, the Registrar will perform a graduation audit to determine graduation status. A graduation application processing fee of $65.00 is due at filing. All graduates will receive a diploma cover at the graduation ceremony. Only those students participating in the graduation ceremony will receive a diploma cover. Diploma covers are available for purchase in the Registrar’s Office for $10.00 each for those students not participating or those that would like more than one. Official credentials will be issued and mailed to the address indicated on file with the admissions office within eight to ten weeks after the end of each semester. Credentials will be issued only after all academic and financial obligations have been met.

Honor Graduate

The college recognizes honor graduates of degree and diploma programs when they maintain the following overall GPA's. Honors with Distinction: 3.75-3.94, and Presidential Scholar: 3.95-4.00.

Residency Requirements for Graduation

To receive a credential from Albany Technical College, students must complete at minimum of 25% of their program of study in residence at ATC. Credits earned through the application of prior learning assessment and/or examination cannot be considered in the residency requirement. . The 25% residency requirement is a standard for higher education institutions; therefore, no exceptions to the residency requirement shall be granted.

Forfeiture of Credit

By registering for a course for which the student has already received credit, a student forfeits the previous credit in that course for graduation purposes unless that grades is their best attempt. The student's official grade in the course will be the best grade earned. Although both grades remain on the record and are computed in the quality point average, only the best attempt will be calculated for the purpose of graduation requirements.

Award Reprints

The first degree, diploma or certificate is provided at no cost. A fee of $25.00 will be charged for each additional reprint.

Graduation ceremony dates and deadlines are available online at https://www.albanytech.edu/student-affairs/registrar-records/graduation