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Graduation vs. Commencement
Graduation is the official confirmation of your degree or certificate awarded once you’ve completed all requirements and applied for graduation (degree or certificate conferral). Cochise College confers degrees and certificates on an ongoing monthly basis.
Commencement is our celebratory ceremony held annually in May for all degree and certificate recipients.
Graduation Steps
Students must apply for graduation to have their degree(s) or certificate(s) officially awarded on their college transcript. GED recipients do not need to apply for graduation. Students can apply for graduation when they have registered for their final courses and/or all of their transcripts have been reviewed.
Before you apply for graduation:
- Meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss your progress.
- Ensure official transcripts from other institutions have been received and evaluated by Cochise College.
- If your name has been legally changed since you were admitted to Cochise College, contact Admissions at adm@cochise.edu to make updates. The name we have on file is the name that will be printed on your diploma.
Please Note: If you have any student loans, you will need to contact the Financial Aid Office to complete an exit interview.
Non-Active Students - Apply Now
Complete the Graduation Survey We welcome your feedback!
Diplomas & Certificates
Diplomas & Certificates will be mailed 8-12 weeks after all academic credentials have been verified. If you need to update your address or request a replacement diploma or certificate, please email graduating@cochise.edu or call 520-515-3687. Diploma or certificate replacement are $10.00 per diploma or certificate.
Commencement Information
Cochise College has one commencement ceremony each May to celebrate all degree and certificate recipients. Students may sign up to participate in commencement on the graduation application. If you have not completed the graduation application, please visit the Graduation Steps section of this page.
Our next ceremony is on May 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. on the Douglas Campus, celebrating graduates from June 2024 - May 2025. To have your name listed in the commencement program, apply for graduation by April 1, 2025. Students close (12 or fewer credits) to completing their degrees may also participate. For questions, contact an Academic Advisor at advising@cochise.edu.
60th Commencement Ceremony
Cochise College Douglas Campus
4190 AZ-80, Douglas, AZ 85607
Friday, May 16, 2025
7:00 p.m.
Getting Ready for Commencement
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Participate in the Grad Bash in March for preparation tips.
Purchase your cap and gown at the Campus Bookstore. Prices vary; contact (520) 515-5419 for details.
Buy commencement invitations from the Business Office (SVC) at (520) 515-5416 or the Cash Office (DC) at (520) 417-4076. They are $1.00 each.
We encourage everyone to share your experience on social media and tag @CochiseCollege using #COCHISEGRAD in your posts and photos.
No overnight parking is allowed on campus. Lost and found items will be kept at the security office.
Order your red cap and gown for the 2025 Commencement ceremony in the Campus Store for approximately $26.00 plus tax. The college will not provide caps and gowns. When purchasing graduation regalia, be sure to let the College Bookstore know if you are earning a degree, certificate, or GED.
Graduates will have the opportunity to get a professional photograph taken prior to the ceremony in their cap and gown. Photos will also be taken on the stage during Commencement. These photos will be emailed to you several weeks after the ceremony and are at no charge to the graduate. There will be no print options of these photos and the rights for the photos will be given in the email with the photos.
Please note that Commencement will be on the Douglas Campus on May 16, 2025.
There are 2 options available for your convenience.
May 15, 2025 on the Sierra Vista Campus in the Library from 2 - 7 p.m.
OR
May 16, 2025 on the Douglas Campus in room 101 (Administration Building) from 3 - 6:30 p.m. The photos will end at 6:30 pm in order to prepare for the ceremony that starts
at 7 pm.
You must bring your cap and gown for the photos.
Contact Jenn Wantz at (520) 515-5364 or wantzj@cochise.edu for more information
Live Stream
The ceremony can be viewed online at 7:00 p.m. via a link on the Cochise College’s
homepage.
3:30 - 6:15 p.m. - Graduates may come to the Administration building room 101 for graduation portraits taken by a professional photographer.
4 p.m. - The bookstore will be available for commencement merchandise and graduate t-shirt pickup. The pickup location is the Cochise College branded tents in between the 700 and 200 buildings, and they will be available for pick up until 6:45 p.m.
5:30 p.m. - Graduates begin to gather in the gymnasium. Make sure you pick up your graduation name card from the tables located in the foyer.
6:15 p.m. - Graduates meet for pre-commencement instructions in the gymnasium.
6:30 p.m. - Graduates line up on the east side of the 700 Building for the procession. You will be arranged in order based on the degree to be conferred. Please stay with your degree group during the commencement ceremony. For the purpose of the procession, if you are to be awarded two degrees, please choose ONE degree to help determine the correct graduate line. If you are to be awarded a degree and certificate, you will use your highest level of achievement.
7 p.m. - Processional faculty marshals lead graduates into the graduation area and will seat you according to your degrees. Please remain standing until the Procession and National Anthem are completed.
Congratulate your graduate by decorating a yard sign! Blanks and signs are available for purchase at the business offices for $3.00. Decorated yard signs will be displayed along the campus loop. Finished yard signs must be dropped off by May 12 at 12:00 p.m.
Drop-off Locations:
Sierra Vista Campus
Student Union Building 1000
(inside the box sitting outside the SGA office)
Douglas Campus
Central Housing Building 2300
(inside the box sitting outside the RA office)
Students who have not completed the associate degree requirements may participate in the commencement ceremony but will not receive a diploma, nor will the credential be posted to the student’s academic record until they have completed all degree requirements.
If you participate, you’ll receive a commencement information packet by late April 2025. If not received by May 6, contact us at advising@cochise.edu or (520) 515-5483.
Career Services
Cochise College’s Career Services is here to help you achieve your career goals. We can help with the following services.
- Writing a resume
- Strategies to search for jobs
- Preparing for an interview
To make an appointment, contact Amy Pressler at (520) 452-2641.
And try Career Coach’s free resume builder for a quick start to your resume!
