Graduation Information
Graduation Applications
Students notify the registrar’s office of their intent to graduate and participate in commencement by filing an application for graduation at least two semesters prior to intended graduation date. Complete the online graduation application here.
Not sure if you’ve completed your graduation application yet? Check here.
Commencement
During the spring semester, graduating students will be asked to confirm their diploma name, hometown, and major information by late January and to provide their name pronunciation. Prospective graduates should watch their Central email account for more information.
Central College has one Commencement ceremony in May of each year. The 2025 Commencement ceremony date is Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM. There will be a mandatory commencement practice on Friday, May 9. Everyone walking in the commencement ceremony on Saturday is required to attend the practice session. The baccalaureate and commencement schedules will be updated later in the academic year.
Graduation with honors
Students who achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 may be recommended by the faculty for commencement distinctions. The degree may be granted cum laude for those students with a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.699, those with magna cum laude for those with a cumulative GPA of 3.70-3.899, and summa cum laude for those with a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or above. No student with more than one grade below C- during the last three years at the college will be considered for academic distinction.
Students who transfer to Central no later than the beginning of their third year and complete at least 60 s.h. at Central are eligible for the honors, but only their performance at Central College will be considered.
For questions regarding…
Caps and gowns contact the Conference Services ext. 7642
General questions regarding graduation weekend contact the alumni office ext. 5154 or visit their website.
Degree requirements and graduation applications contact the registrar’s office ext. 5442