Graduation FAQs

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Have a graduation-related question? Browse the below FAQ list.

The Ceremony

FAQs - CEREMONY

When will I receive information about the ceremony?

All students who submitted their application will receive an email from the PC Commencement Committee.

Where is the ceremony located? When will it take place?

The 2023 commencement ceremony will be located at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which is near the State Fairgrounds, west of campus, and downtown Phoenix.

The coliseum's street address is:
1826 W. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

It will take place on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 6:00 pm.

Will I have to pay for parking?

Each graduate will receive ONE parking permit for one vehicle only. Additional parking is $12 per car. Graduates can pick up their parking permit in the Hannelly Center, Welcome Desk.

What happens if I show up late for the ceremony?

If you arrive late, accommodations will be made in the best way possible. Please be leave home early, and check for traffic problems, including freeway closures, in advance.

How long is the ceremony?

The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.

How many guests can a student invite to the ceremony, and do they need tickets?

There's no limit to the number of guests a student can invite. Tickets aren't required.

Will there be a program for commencement?

Yes. The Graduation Program includes:

• Information about the commencement ceremony
• Graduate names, with degree/certificate earned, as well as their distinctions and honors

Please note that the names of students who applied to participate in commencement after the priority date (3/1/24) may not appear in the program.

Browse, and download, the program from the Commencement Details page.

Will there be an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter at commencement?

ASL interpreters will be on stage.

Who do I contact if I need special accommodations?

Please contact Disability Resources & Services for accommodations:

Phone: (602) 285-7477
Video Phone: (623) 208-4063
Email: drs @phoenixcollege.edu
Fax: (602) 285-7663

Are professional photography services offered for the ceremony?

Yes, a professional photography service will be available. You'll have the opportunity to purchase pictures through GradImages.

Will there be a live stream of the ceremony?

The ceremony will also be live streamed for those that cannot attend in person: phoenixcollege.edu/live.

Can I bring balloons, confetti, or confetti cannons inside the coliseum?

For safety reasons, balloons, confetti, confetti cannons, etc. (or any items of this nature) are not permitted inside the coliseum. There will be a marked, unsecured, designated area for these types of items outside the venue to be retrieved after the ceremony.

Regalia

Regalia & Designations

FAQs - REGALIA

How do I get a cap and gown for commencement?

Phoenix College will offer a limited number of free cap/gown/tassel packages for Spring 2024 commencement. Stop by the Hannelly Center Welcome Desk to see if we have your size in stock.

If we don't, or if you'd prefer to order regalia yourself, graduates may purchase the package from the manufacturer. Place your order from Balfour https://www.buildagrad.com/ pcm who will ship the package directly to you.

Pricing: $12.95 for Regalia Package
Tassel Only: $1.65
Shipping Fee: $12.95

IMPORTANT
Orders placed less than 4 weeks prior to graduation are not guaranteed to be delivered in time for the commencement ceremony.

Can I decorate my mortarboard/cap?

Yes, you may decorate your cap.

However, you must refrain from using offensive, or distasteful decorations. Phoenix College will ask you to remove your cap if it deems the decorations to be objectionable. We'll provide you with a replacement cap to wear during the ceremony.

If I've earned a high GPA, will I receive a distinction cord?

Yes. Students who've earned a 3.5 GPA, or higher, will receive a gold cord to wear during the commencement ceremony. You'll receive the cord when you check in at the commencement ceremony.

Qualifying for a distinction cord:

• GPA for the ceremony/cords will be calculated based on the previous semester.
• GPA is calculated by the grades for the student's degree. Transfer credits are also included.
• The final GPA will be calculated when grades are posted and will be reflected on the student’s diploma/transcript.

Distinction cords are different than designations for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the Phoenix College Honors Program. See the next FAQ for information about regalia related to those programs.

Who's eligible to wear tassels or stoles representing the Honors Program, and Phi Theta Kappa?

Phi Theta Kappa
The minimum GPA to become a member of PTK is 3.25. For eligibility and particpation details, visit the Phoenix College Phi Theta Kappa page. Already a member? Students may purchase regalia online by visiting the Phi Theta Kappa store: https://store.ptk.org

PTK regalia must be ordered prior to commencement in order to receive it on time; refer to delivery timeframes at the PTK store.

Questions regarding PTK regalia? Email PC-Honors@phoenixcollege.edu, and indicate your inquiry is related to PTK and Commencement. PTK designations aren't handled through Admissions, Records & Registration.

Honors
To qualify as an honors student, graduates must have completed 15 credit hours of honors classes. They must have also maintained a GPA of 3.5. Visit the Phoenix College Honors Program page for more information.

Questions regarding Honors regalia? If you're receiving designations from the Honors Program, contact the program coordinator directly at PC-Honors@phoenixcollege.edu. Honors designations aren't handled through Admissions, Records & Registration.

Designations for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the Phoenix College Honors Program are different than the designation for students with high GPAs. See the previous FAQ for details related to Distinction Cords, which are automatically disributed to students who've earned GPAs of 3.5, or above.