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Graduation

You have achieved major educational goals and will soon be graduating! Cochise is happy to have been part of your educational journey.

Graduation

Congratulations!

Graduation vs. Commencement

Graduation is the official confirmation of your degree or certificate which is awarded once you’ve completed all requirements. Remember, you need to apply for graduation to have your degree or certificate noted on your official transcript. GED recipients do not need to apply for graduation.

Commencement is our celebratory ceremony held annually in May for all degree, certificate, and GED recipients.

When purchasing graduation regalia be sure to let the College Bookstore know if you are earning a degree, certificate or GED.

Career Services

Preparing for Graduation

Students must apply for graduation to have their degree(s) or certificate(s) officially awarded on their college transcript.

Students should not apply until they are in their last semester of course work and all of their transcripts have been reviewed.

Preparing to apply for graduation:

Meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss your progress.
Make sure official transcripts from other institutions have been received and evaluated by Cochise College.
If your name has legally been changed since being admitted to Cochise College make sure to contact Admissions at adm@cochise.edu to make updates. The name we have on file is the name that will be printed on your diploma.
Make sure we have a current address. Your diploma will be mailed to the address on file with the college.
Make sure you don’t have any outstanding financial balance with Cochise College.

If you have any student loans you will need to contact the Financial Aid Office in order to complete an exit interview.

Apply for Graduation

Complete the Graduation Survey. We welcome your feedback!

Commencement Information

Our next ceremony is on May 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. on the Douglas Campus, celebrating graduates from December 2024 and May 2025. To have your name listed in the commencement program, apply for graduation by April 8, 2025. Students close (12 or fewer credits) to completing their degrees may also participate. For questions, contact an Academic Advisor at advising@cochise.edu.

60th Commencement Ceremony
Cochise College Douglas Campus
4190 AZ-80, Douglas, AZ 85607
Friday, May 16, 2025
7:00 p.m.

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Commencement Ceremony Details

Parking

Cochise College strongly encourages graduates and their guests to carpool to commencement. Parking is available but limited.
No overnight parking is allowed on campus. Lost and found items will be kept secure.

Get Social
Congratulations, graduate! We encourage everyone to share your experience on social media and tag @CochiseCollege using #COCHISEGRAD in your posts and photos.

Live Stream
The ceremony can be viewed online at 7:00 p.m. via Cochise College’s homepage.

3:30 - 6:15 p.m. - Graduates may come to the Andrea Cracchiolo Library for graduation portraits taken by a professional photographer.

4 p.m. - The bookstore will be available for commencement merchandise and graduate t-shirt pickup. The pickup location is the tents by the Student Union, and they will be available for pick up until 6:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m. - Graduates begin to gather in the Sierra Vista Library Commons. Make sure you pick up your graduation name card from the tables located in the foyer.

6:15 p.m. - Graduates meet for pre-commencement instructions in the Sierra Vista Library Commons.

6:30 p.m. - Graduates line up on the west side of the Andrea Cracchiolo Library for the procession. You will be arranged in order based on the degree to be conferred. Please stay with your degree group during the commencement ceremony. For the purpose of the procession, if you are to be awarded two degrees, please choose ONE degree to help determine the correct graduate line. If you are to be awarded a degree and certificate you will use your highest level of achievement.

7 p.m. - Processional faculty marshals lead graduates into the graduation area and will seat you according to your degrees. Please remain standing until the Procession and National Anthem are completed.

Caps & Gowns

Order your red cap and gown for the 2025 Commencement ceremony in the Campus Store for approximately $26.00 plus tax. Caps and gowns will not be provided by the college.

Friends & Family

Congratulate your graduate by decorating a yard sign! Blanks signs are available for purchase at the Business Offices for $3.00. Decorated yard signs will be displayed along the campus loop. Finished yard signs must be dropped off by May 12 at 12:00pm.

Drop-off Locations:
Sierra Vista Campus

Student Union Building 1000
- (inside the box sitting outside the SGA office)

Douglas Campus

Central Housing Building 2300
- (inside the box sitting outside the RA office)

Alumni, We Need Your Help!

As we prepare to celebrate our 60th anniversary next year, we would love to display a copy of all 60 commencement programs! Our librarian-archivist needs your help in locating missing programs. If you have any of the following years, please email Ashlee Gray or call her at (520) 417-4142. If you don’t want to part with it permanently, we hope you will let us borrow it for our festivities and return it to you afterward.

1965/1966 (the first full-scale graduation was held on June 5, 1966)
1968
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1979
1982
1983
1984
1989
1991
1992
1993

Policy 4013 - Participation in Commencement

Procedure 4013.3 – Commencement

Students who have not completed the associate degree requirements may participate in the commencement ceremony but will not receive a diploma, nor will the credential be posted to the student’s academic record, until they have completed all degree requirements.

If participating, you’ll receive a commencement information packet by late April 2025. If not received by May 6, contact us at graduating@cochise.edu or 520-515-3687.

Getting Ready for Commencement

Participate in Grad Bash in March 2024 for preparation tips.
Purchase your cap and gown at the Campus Bookstore. Prices vary; contact 520-515-5419 for details.
Buy commencement invitations from the Business Office (SVC) at 520-515-5416 or Cash Office (DC) at 520-417-4076. They are $1.00 each.
We encourage everyone to share their experience on social media and tag the college using #COCHISEGRAD in your posts and photos.
Cochise College strongly encourages graduates and their guests to carpool to Commencement. Parking is available but limited. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
No overnight parking is allowed on campus. Lost and found items will be at security.

Diplomas & Certificates

Diplomas & Certificates will be mailed 8-12 weeks after all academic credentials have been verified. If you need to update your address please email graduating@cochise.edu or call 520-515-3687. Diploma or certificate replacement are $10.00 per diploma or certificate.