Graduation and Commencement

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Graduation Application

A group of people in graduation gowns

All graduates must complete the Black Hawk College Graduation Application. Financial obligations to BHC must be fulfilled before your diploma or transcripts will be issued.

Graduation Application 2024-25 (PDF)

Final audits will take place and diplomas will be mailed within eight weeks after the end date of the term in which academic work was completed.

The graduation date for summer candidates is in July. However, certain programs have a completion date in August and in these cases, the last date of academic work will be used as students’ graduation date. Students with degree completion dates after the start of the fall semester will have graduation dates in December.

Graduation Honors

Honors are based upon your GPA at the end of the fall semester and the number of semester hours enrolled in through the spring semester since final grades aren’t available until after commencement.

Official graduation honors noted on the diploma and academic record will be determined when the degree requirements are completed. Only associate degree candidates qualify for graduation honors.

Summa Cum Laude

60 hours of graded work at Black Hawk College with a cumulative 3.95 grade point average or higher.

Magna Cum Laude

45 hours of graded work at Black Hawk College with a cumulative 3.85 grade point average or higher.

Cum Laude

30 hours of graded work at Black Hawk College with a cumulative 3.75 grade point average or higher.

Honor Societies

If you are a member of one of the following organizations, you will be eligible to wear its respective stole or cord. You will receive more information through your chapters.