Take these steps to obtain a degree or certificate
Students should contact their Student Success Coach to determine their eligibility to graduate.
Current Student Graduation Process
TSC will automatically award degrees to students who have completed the requirements, without them having to apply for graduation.
- Each semester, Advisors run a degree audit for each student who qualifies for graduation, based on total credits earned.
- Students advisors will send an email to confirm the submission of the record for graduation.
- After the record is audited, students will be alerted to the findings through an email that indicates one of the following statuses:
| Official Degree Audit Statuses | |
| Status | Explanation |
| All Requirements Met | You have completed all the requirements necessary to graduate |
| Pending Requirements | Upon completing your current enrollment, you will complete all requirements to graduate. |
| Not all requirements have been met | You must complete additional courses in order to graduate. |
Allow six weeks for processing following your email or the start of the semester.
Degree & College requirements
To be awarded an Associate Degree or Certificate, students must:
- Complete all required courses and semester credit hours for the specific degree or certificate
- Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all coursework completed at TSC (excluding developmental-level coursework)
- Submit official transcripts of all coursework attempted at other colleges and universities
- Earn a ‘C’ or better for all degree requirements for the technical program major in associate of applied science degree or certificate programs
- Earn at least 25% of degree hours required for graduation in residency at TSC
- Fulfill all Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements
- Be in good academic standing at the end of the term in which you receive the degree.
Honors
At the time of graduation, students earning an associate’s degree will be recognized for sustained scholastic excellence by graduating with appropriate honors. Honors are based on a student’s cumulative grade point average on all non-developmental undergraduate hours completed. If courses have been repeated, the last grade recorded will be used in determining the grade point average.
Honors are as follows:
- Summa cum laude: 3.900-4.000
- Magna cum laude: 3.700-3.899
- Cum laude: 3.500-3.699
Receive your associate degree after you transfer!
Students who transfer to a university before graduating from Texas Southmost College can still earn an associate’s degree through reverse transfer. This process recognizes student accomplishments and awards the important credentials earned. This is an automated system for students who transfer to most Texas universities.
How does it work?
- Give your university consent to release your transcript to TSC. This is an option on the Apply Texas Admission Application, which is used for all public universities as well as some private institutions. (If you are unsure of whether you consented or if you have already graduated with a bachelor’s degree, contact your university registrar’s office.)
- At the end of each semester, universities automatically send TSC a list of students who may qualify for an associate’s degree and approve sharing their transcripts.
- TSC evaluates those students’ transcripts and notifies them of whether they have earned an associate’s degree.
Am I eligible?
Yes, if:
- You earned at least 30 credits from TSC
- You transferred from TSC to a four-year college or university
- You earned at least 60 credits, including coursework completed at your university
Ready for reverse transfer now?
In addition to the automated process, students can request a reverse transfer degree audit anytime. Follow these steps:
- Ask your university’s registrar to send a transcript to TSC
- Apply for reverse transfer using the TSC graduation application
- TSC will notify you if you are eligible for an associate’s degree or whether you need to meet additional requirements
Receive your diploma or certificate
Following commencement, Admissions and Records will have diplomas available for pickup. Graduates will receive notice via email with instructions for pickup.
If you prefer that we mail your diploma, please indicate this on your Candidate Information Card.
Allow four weeks to process official degrees and certificates.
Order a replacement diploma
Payment must be made to at the TSC Cashiers, located in the Oliveira Student Services Building. A replacement or duplicate diploma costs $25.00.
Allow four weeks to process official degrees and certificates.
Diplomas may not be released if there is a hold on students’ TSC records.
Attend commencement
A formal graduation ceremony is held at the close of the regular fall and spring semesters. Students who graduate in the summer may attend the fall ceremony. Students who have been determined eligible for graduation will be sent an email with a link to fill out a candidate information card.
Participation in commencement does not imply that students have graduated or will graduate with a degree/certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it true I don’t have to apply for graduation?
- Yes, TSC will automatically award degrees to students who have completed requirements without having to apply. Student Success Coaches run a degree audit each semester for each student who qualifies for graduation based on total credits earned. Advisor send students an email to confirm submission of their records for graduation. Students should review the degree audit with advisors, if they have any questions about the requirements.
- What is a Candidate Information Card?
Once your record has been reviewed, you will receive an email with our findings. In that email, you will receive a link where you can indicate whether you wish to attend commencement, the name you want displayed on your diploma, and delivery method for the diploma. - I received an email that my record was submitted for graduation. When will I know if I’m eligible?
The Graduation Office reviews graduation candidates’ records throughout each semester. Depending on the number of applicants for that semester, it may be a couple of weeks before you receive a graduation status email. - I have made changes to my courses for the semester (dropped and/or added); will this affect my graduation status?
Yes, depending on the timing of when the changes were made and which classes were dropped or added, your graduation status could change. If you are in doubt, please confirm which courses were reviewed for your graduation status with the Office of Strategic Enrollment. - Is there a graduation ceremony?
Yes, TSC has a graduation ceremony at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Please check the Commencement webpage for more information. Participation does not indicate you will receive a degree. - Can I participate in the ceremony?
TSC has a graduation ceremony at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Summer graduates are invited to attend the fall graduation ceremony. Please indicate on your Candidate Information Card if you plan to attend the ceremony. - I don’t plan to attend the ceremony. Can I still receive a diploma?
Yes, you can indicate this on your Candidate Information Card. - Will my name be included in the graduation program?
Graduation candidates for fall and spring who are on track to graduate during their respective semesters will have their names included in the program if they meet the deadline. All students who graduated in the summer will be listed in the fall program. The deadline to submit the Candidate Information Card is typically two weeks before the ceremony. - How many guests can I invite? Are tickets issued?
We do not issue tickets or reserve seats. You may invite as many guests as you would like, however, there is limited seating. - What should I wear to the ceremony?
The ceremony is a distinguished event. Please dress tastefully. Keep in mind – the robe is knee-to-shin length. Slacks or knee-length skirts are appropriate. You may be standing for an hour or longer. Please wear comfortable shoes. - How long does the ceremony last?
The ceremony typically lasts 1.5 hours.