Office of the Registrar Graduation

Roanoke-Chowan Community College awards associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates upon verification that students have satisfied all published program requirements. The Office of Records and Registration is responsible for maintaining official academic records and for the certification and conferral of academic credentials.

Graduation Eligibility Requirements

Students seeking graduation must:

Successfully complete all coursework required for their approved program of study.
Submit an official Graduation Application by the published deadline.
Resolve all financial, administrative, and academic holds.
Satisfy all institutional requirements prior to award conferral.

The College conducts one commencement ceremony annually, held on the first Friday of May. Participation in the commencement ceremony is optional and is not required for the awarding of an academic credential. The College may confer awards automatically upon verification of program completion, regardless of participation in commencement.

Graduation Application Deadlines

Students are responsible for submitting the Graduation Application by the deadline associated with their anticipated term of completion:

Fall Semester: October 31
Spring Semester: February 27
Summer Semester: May 31

Failure to meet established deadlines may result in delayed conferral and printing of the academic credential.

Graduation Fee

In accordance with institutional policy, a mandatory graduation fee is assessed to:

Students receiving associate degrees and diplomas.
Certificate students who elect to participate in the commencement ceremony.

The graduation fee is applied to the student account upon receipt of the Graduation Application and supports costs associated with graduation processing and commencement activities.

All financial obligations to the College must be satisfied prior to the conferral of an academic award.

Student-Right-to-Know: Graduation and Completion Rate Consumer Information (IPEDS)

In compliance with the Student Right-to-Know Act and federal consumer information requirements (34 CFR §668.45), Roanoke-Chowan Community College annually calculates and reports its Graduation and Completion Rates through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

The Graduation and Completion Rate Consumer Report include data on the percentage of first-time, full-time, degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate students who complete their program within 150 percent of the normal time to completion, as defined by IPEDS reporting guidelines.

These data are collected and reported in accordance with standards established by the U.S. Department of Education and support institutional effectiveness, accountability, and transparency.

Graduation, Retention, and Transfer-Out Rate Data

The graduation rate reflects students who completed an associate degree, diploma, or certificate within the IPEDS reporting timeframe.

Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates (Fall 2020)

Graduation Rate (150% of normal time): 21%
Transfer-Out Rate: 29%

Retention Rates for First-Time Students

Percentage of first-time students who began in Fall 2022 and returned in Fall 2023:

69% Full-time students
33% Part-time students

Notes: Rates reflect IPEDS-defined cohorts and exclude part-time and personal enrichment students. Outcomes for students who transfer, and later complete degrees elsewhere are not included. Data are reported annually and may vary by cohort year.

Use and Availability of Consumer Information

Graduation and completion data are reviewed as part of the College’s institutional effectiveness and student success initiatives, including program review, student support services, and strategic planning.

The official Graduation and Completion Rate Consumer Report is available upon request, and through NCES College Navigator website.

Requests for additional information may be directed to:

Office of Records and Registration
Roanoke-Chowan Community College
Phone: (252) 862-1200
Email: registration@roanokechowan.edu