Congratulations, graduates, on your academic achievement!
You have come to the right place as you look at the necessary steps to complete and celebrate your degree or certification from Clover Park Technical College! Make sure you read all of the information thoroughly and complete all applicable steps noted below.
2023 Commencement Ceremony
This year’s 2023 commencement graduation ceremony will take place at the Tacoma Dome on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 6:30pm. The Arena is located at 2727 E D St. Tacoma, WA 98421. More information about the ceremony, including what time the doors open, will come in early spring.
Apply for Graduation
In order to receive your certificate or degree you must complete a Degree/Certificate Application. This step is crucial as it communicates with our credentials evaluator that CPTC needs to go through your transcripts and verify that we can award you your physical degree and/or certificate.
Students should complete this degree/certificate application the 4th week of the quarter they will complete their program or certificate. Completing the Degree/Certificate Application does not register you for the annual Commencement Ceremony, please continue to officially RSVP for the ceremony.
Students completing their degree/certificate in Spring 2023 must submit a degree/certificate application by Friday, May 3. Students completing their degree/certificate in Summer 2023 must submit a degree/certificate application by Friday, July 28.
RSVP for the 2023 Commencement Ceremony
The form to RSVP to the 2023 ceremony will be available starting Monday, April 3, 2023.
Please note, completing the RSVP form does not notify the credentials evaluator that you are completing your degree and/or certificate. Please make sure you also complete the Degree/Certificate Application noted above.
Tacoma Dome Details
- Prohibited/Permitted Items
- Security Enhancements
- Bag Size Restrictions
- Parking & Directions
- Park free at the Tacoma Dome
Livestream the in-person event
More information about live streaming the event will be available as we get closer to the celebration.
Student Speaker & National Anthem Performer
Are you interested in serving as the Student Speaker for the 2023 Commencement Ceremony? Are you interested in performing the National Anthem at this year's event? Submit an interest form no later than May 4 at 11:59pm to represent the Class of 2023. Click here for more details and to submit your interest form today!
Event Photos
Professional photographers will be taking photos at this year's Commencement Ceremony. Each graduate participating in the ceremony will have the opportunity to have a posed photograph commemorating the event. Graduates will be able to go to the 1000 Words Events website after the ceremony to view and save photos of the event at no cost.
Tacoma Dome Parking
The Tacoma Dome has parking lots located around the perimeter of the facility that can accommodate 1,600 cars.
There is no parking fee at the Tacoma Dome this year thanks to a generous contribution from the CPTC Foundation and Associated Student Government.
Alternative Parking Options
Alternate parking options include parking in downtown Tacoma and taking the Tacoma Link Light Rail (check schedule for hours) or parking in the Pierce Transit / Sound Transit Tacoma Dome Station Garage which is located a few blocks from the Tacoma Dome. Cabs may also be available at the Tacoma Dome taxi drop-off/pick-up area or near Freighthouse Square. The Tacoma Dome has built an official Uber Pickup/Dropoff Zone as an additional option for visitors.
Disability Accommodations
If you or your family members need any ADA accommodations to fully attend and/or participate in the commencement ceremony please contact Melissa Medina, Disabilities Services Manager at Melissa.Medina@cptc.edu or 253-589-5767. To ensure accommodations will be in place prior to your arrival, please contact us by Friday, May 19 . We will do everything in our power to accommodate any requests that are submitted after the priority deadline.
Veteran's Cords
Students who are eligible to receive a Veterans Cord should contact Sydney Burgos, Veteran Navigator, to pick up their cord.
Phi Theta Kappa Members
Members of Phi Theta Kappa may purchase the traditional Honor Stole at the PTK virtual store.
CPTC Commencement Ceremony FAQ's
There will not be a rehearsal at the 2023 ceremony.
More info about the 2023 Commencement Ceremony will be sent by email to students who have registered to attend and also be available on this web page as the date approaches.
The ceremony starts at 6:30pm. Graduates should arrive no later than 6pm to make sure they have plenty of time to check-in and get in line.
A cap and gown are required in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. Caps and gowns will be available at the College Bookstore in late May Once a finalized price and date availability is determined, this information will be updated. If you have questions about ordering a cap and gown at the CPTC Bookstore, please contact, Kariena Mellor at 253-589-5614.
The Department of Student Life loans out a limited number of gowns, free of charge, to graduates through a program called "Wear It Forward". There are approximately 100 gowns in a variety of sizes available on a first come, first served basis. An application form will be available in early spring for students interested in participating in the program. Gown rentals are on a first come, first served bases. Students will be notified by Friday, May 12 of the status of their request for a loaner gown. Only gowns are provided - you must provide your own cap and tassel which can be purchased at the bookstore. For questions about the Wear It Forward program please contact Danny Lee, Manager of Student Engagement, at danny.lee@cptc.edu or at 253-589-5644.
Students who will be completing their degree during the summer or fall quarters of 2023 are eligible to participate in the June 2023 ceremony though their names and credentials will not appear in the official printed materials.
Since the ceremony is not a ticketed event, there is no limit to the number of guests that you can invite.
No. the ceremony is not a ticketed event, therefore no tickets are required. There is no limit to the number of guests that you can invite.
The Degree/Certificate Application communicates to Clover Park Technical College and our credentials evaluator that we need to go through your transcript and verify that you are eligible to complete your program or certificate! The annual Commencement Ceremony honors any eligible student completing a degree, certificate, high school diploma, or High School Equivalency Diploma granted by CPTC during the fall, winter, spring, and summer quarter of the current academic year.
If you or your family members need any ADA accommodations to fully attend and/or participate in the commencement ceremony please contact Disabilities Services Manager, Melissa Medina at 253-589-5767.
To ensure accommodations will be in place prior to your arrival, please contact us by Friday, May 19. We will do everything in our power to accommodate any requests that are submitted after the priority deadline.
Please contact Kristen Lawson, Campus Life Program Assistant or Jessica Wallack, Director of Student Life and Graduation Coordinator.
Program or Certificate Completion FAQ's
- A cumulative grade point average of no less than 2.0;
- Met all of the program requirements;
- Completed 25 percent of the technical coursework at Clover Park Technical College
- Earn an Associate's Degree or Bachelor of Applied Science Degree, or complete a Certificate Program of 45 credits or more
- Earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.75-4.0
- Students will be notified by mail of their eligibility for graduation honors
Clover Park Technical College curriculum is based on current industry standards. Returning Clover Park Technical College students who left prior to completion of their program must meet the program's graduation requirements as described in the current Clover Park Technical College catalog.
Clover Park Technical College Students who have completed the technical requirements of their program but have not completed the General Education requirements for a degree or certificate will have one year from their date of withdrawal to complete the required General Education classes. If a longer period of time elapses before General Education courses are completed, the student will be required to meet the program's graduation requirements as described in the current Clover Park Technical College catalog.
A student is in good academic standing when the quarterly grade point average remains at or above 2.0.
The Associate of Applied Technology degree, the Associate of Applied Science-T degree, the Associate of Arts and Science Degree (DTA/MRP) in Pre-Nursing or in Technology, or the Bachelor of Applied Science in Manufacturing Operations. One of the degrees is awarded to students who satisfactorily complete the competencies and requirements as approved by the College's Curriculum Committee and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. The degree programs are defined and program requirements outlined in the current CPTC catalog.
A Certificate is awarded to students who satisfactorily complete the competencies and requirements for programs that are not defined as degree programs. Core academic courses are required in certificate programs of one academic year or more (more than 45 credits).
Students who believe they have completed their academic requirements for their degree or certifications can apply online for Degree Completion Audit by completing a Degree/Certificate Application. This step is crucial as it communicates with our credentials evaluator that CPTC needs to go through your transcripts and verify that we can award you your degree or certificate. Upon completion Certificates and Degrees are mailed to the students home.
Honor Cord FAQ
A student completing a Bachelor of Applied Science, Associate of Applied Technology degree, Associate of Applied Science-T degree, Direct Transfer Agreement or certificate (45+ credits) who achieves a cumulative college level grade point average of 3.75-4.0 is eligible for honors at graduation. Each student who meets these criteria will have the notation of Honors placed on their diploma.
Students completing certificate programs of 45 credits or more and achieve a cumulative college level grade point average of 3.75 or higher are eligible for honors at graduation. Each student who meets these criteria will have the notation of honors on their transcript.
Must be in a degree or certificate (45+ credits) program and have earned a cumulative college level grade point average of 3.75-4.0.
No. Honors eligibility each spring is based on winter quarter GPA. Summer quarter is not calculated for honors, so honor cords are not available for summer 2023 or fall 2023 graduates participating in the Spring 2023 ceremony.
Enrollment Services, Building 17. You can talk to any of these three people in Enrollment Services:
- McKenzee Murphy, Manager of Student Enrollment
- Tracey Songao, Director of Enrollment Services and Registrar
- Cindy Mowry, Associate Dean for Student Success
More information about honor cords for the 2023 ceremony will be available in spring quarter.
More information about honor cords for the 2023 ceremony will be available in spring quarter.
Nothing – honor cords are free!
Unfortunately not. Eligible students can only receive one honor cord.
Only if you earned a degree (AAT, AAS-T or DTA/MRP) and your cumulative grade point average is 3.75-4.0.
No. Students were reminded via email at the beginning of the quarter to order their PTK regalia for graduation. Students can order their PTK regalia, including honor cords, through www.ptk.org.
Commencement Details
- Wednesday, June 7, 2023
- 6:30pm
Commencement Location
Venue Details
Resources
- 2022 Commencement Livestream
- 2022 Commencement Photos
- 2021 Celebration Video
- 2020 Celebration Video
- 2018 Ceremony Video
Contact
- Graduation Coordinator
- jessica.wallack@cptc.edu
- 253-589-5780