Everything You Need to Know Before You Graduate
Whether you’re preparing to complete your degree or planning to participate in Commencement, this page has everything you need to know, from graduation requirements and application deadlines to ceremony details and important day-of information.
Graduation vs. Commencement
Graduation
Graduation is the process of completing your academic program and earning your degree or certificate. After final grades are posted and your record is reviewed, your diploma will be mailed to the address on file.
Commencement
Commencement is the annual ceremony celebrating CMCC graduates. Participating in Commencement does not automatically mean you’ve graduated; students must still complete all degree requirements.
Graduation Checklist
Before your degree can be awarded, you’ll need to complete the graduation process.
Am I Eligible to Graduate?
Eligibility for degree or certificate conferment is contingent upon completion of all requirements of a designated program of study in accordance with the Maine Community College System and CMCC requirements. Students must:
- Satisfactorily complete all courses in the program.
- Complete the aggregate number of credit hours in a program with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
- Participate in College-wide or program-specific assessment activities.
- Meet the residency requirements as defined in the CMCC catalog.
- Fulfill all financial obligations to the College in order to receive a degree or certificate. (Make sure all library fines, fees, account balances, etc. are paid at the CMCC business office).
All degree requirements, including transfer credit, must be completed and accepted by the College prior to the last semester of enrollment. The only exceptions are the courses in which the student is currently enrolled.
How Do I Apply to Graduate?
To initiate the graduation process, a student must:
- Fill out and submit the “Apply to Graduate” form by the deadline in the semester that you will complete all degree requirements. The graduation application can be completed by clicking on this link.
Deadlines are:- Last Friday in March for May graduation
- Last Friday in July for August graduation
- Last Friday in November for December graduation
- Once the Registrar’s Office has received your confirmation, a degree audit will be performed. If there is an issue with your degree audit, the Center for Advising and Registration (C.A.R.) will contact you and/or your advisor via email for clarification. Please contact the C.A.R. if you have questions regarding your degree audit or graduation requirements.
- At the end of the term, after final grades have been recorded, the C.A.R. will begin its final review of degree audits. If you have not fulfilled the program requirements, you will receive an email to your CMCC email account. It is important to regularly check your student email account, and provide accurate personal email and phone numbers.
- Upon verifying successful completion of all degree requirements your diploma will be mailed approximately 6 to 10 weeks after the end of the semester.
Graduation Deadlines
Graduation Applications must be submitted by:
- Last Friday in March (May graduates)
- Last Friday in July (August graduates)
- Last Friday in November (December graduates)
Commencement Ceremony
Planning to participate in Commencement? Find answers to common questions about the ceremony here.
Who Can Participate?
Any student who has, or will, meet the degree requirements for graduation by the end of the summer, fall or spring semesters may participate in the May graduation ceremony. Summer 2025, Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 graduates may participate (march) in the May 2026 commencement ceremony. A graduation confirmation form must be received by the student in order to participate in commencement.
Students who are no more than 6 credits short of completing degree requirements and wish to participate in the commencement ceremony may do so if the student is enrolled for the required credits during the next term that the course or courses are available.
Regalia (Cap & Gown)
If you plan to participate in the 2027 Commencement ceremony, you must order your regalia (cap and gown) when you complete the graduation confirmation form. The deadline to order regalia for this year’s ceremony is March 26, 2026. The cost of your cap and gown is covered by CMCC.
If you have previously chosen not to participate or decide after the deadline to participate in the ceremony, we will do our best to locate regalia extras. You must email from your CMCC email to cmccregistrar@mainecc.edu with your name, ID number, height, weight. Please understand that we are very limited in on-hand regalia and you are best served by ordering directly from the company using the link above ahead of the deadline.
Honors Cords
For the purpose of wearing honors cords at commencement, students must meet the cumulative GPA requirements listed below:
- Honors – 3.30 to 3.599 receives one honor cord;
- High Honors – 3.600 to 3.899 receives two honor cords;
- President’s Honors – 3.900 to 4.000 receives two honor cords.
The calculation of the cumulative GPA does not include spring semester grades, since these may not be calculated for all students at the time of the ceremony. However, final calculation of GPAs made after spring semester grades are posted will be used to determine the display of honors on final transcripts.
If you have any questions about the honors policy, please contact the Center for Advising and Registration at 207-755-5292 or cmccregistrar@mainecc.edu.
Ceremony Information
The College looks forward to celebrating the 61st graduating class of Central Maine Community College, the Class of 2026.
This year’s commencement ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 13, 2026 at 6pm inside The Colisee in Lewiston, Maine (190 Birch Street, Lewiston, ME).
The in-person ceremony will also be streamed live from CMCC’s YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. Watch the livestream of the commencement ceremony on YouTube.
Tickets are not required and there is no limit on the number of guests a student can bring. Additional information and details will be shared with students as the event date gets closer.
Ceremony Paraphernalia
Graduates are allowed to decorate their caps provided the decor are appropriate and in good taste; CMCC reserves the right to remove any caps that could be considered offensive, derogatory or vulgar.
Phi Theta Kappa
If you are a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, you may wear a PTK honor stole at graduation. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members may purchase the PTK gold honor stole from the PTK website.
- Please Note: The stole is the only commencement paraphernalia that is worn at CMCC’s commencement ceremony, but you can purchase anything for your own personal use.
- Questions? Contact the PTK advisor, Judi Moreno, (jmoreno@mainecc.edu) in the Learning Commons.
If you are transferring to another college to complete a four-year degree, remember to inquire about scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members.
National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS)
If you are a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, you may wear a NSLS honor stole at graduation. NSLS members may purchase the NSLS honor stole from the NSLS website.
- Please Note: The NSLS stole is the only commencement paraphernalia that is worn at CMCC’s commencement ceremony, but you can purchase anything for your own personal use.
- Questions? Contact the NSLS advisor, Grimes Williams (gwilliams@mainecc.edu) in the Student Services suite located in Jalbert Hall Room 13.
What Should I Wear?
You may wear whatever you find comfortable; however, you must wear clothing. In the arena, where the ceremony takes place, the ice is covered by a protective flooring that can be slippery. We recommend wearing shoes you feel confident walking in to help minimize the risk of slipping.
Important Links & Resources
Commencement Details
Join Us for the 2027 Commencement Ceremony
Thursday, May 13, 2026
The Colisee in Lewiston, Maine
Schedule
4:30 PM: Doors Open
6:00 PM: Commencement
Contact Us
The Center for Advising & Registration can help with graduation eligibility, degree audits, and commencement questions.
Center for Advising & Registration
cmccadvising@mainecc.edu
(207) 755-5280