Congratulations 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 this information thoroughly and follow each of the steps noted below.
Steps to Complete and Celebrate
Step 1: Verify Your Transcript
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 degree or certificate.
Students can complete this degree/certificate application the 4th week of the quarter you will complete your program or certificate. Completing your Graduation Award Application does not register you for the annual Commencement Ceremony, please proceed to Step 2 to officially RSVP for the ceremony.
Step 2: RSVP for the Commencement Ceremony
The 2022 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 16 at the Tacoma Dome at 3:00 p.m.
Though the deadline to register for the annual commencement ceremony to ensure your name was included in the official printed program has ended, students can still register to participate in the ceremony through Thursday, June 9 by completing the RSVP form.
Students that missed the May 20 deadline can still register and participate in the ceremony, though their name may be excluded from the printed program as it has already gone to print.
Step 3: Learn More About the Commencement Ceremony
Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) hosts an annual Commencement Ceremony to honor 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 2021-2022 academic year.
Students who will be completing their degree during the summer or fall quarter 2022 are eligible to participate in the June 2022 ceremony.
Disability Accommodations
If you or your family members need any ADA accommodations to fully attend and/or participate in the commencement ceremony please contact Brenda McKinney, Disabilities Services Manager at Brenda.McKinney@cptc.edu or 253-589-5767. To ensure accommodations will be in place prior to your arrival, please contact us by Tuesday, May 31 . 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 Timothy Guntle, 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.
Congratulations, graduates, on your academic achievement!
CPTC Commencement Ceremony
This year’s 2022 commencement graduation ceremony will take place at the Tacoma Dome on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The Arena is located at 2727 E D St. Tacoma, WA 98421.
Graduates should arrive at the Tacoma Dome no later than 2:30 p.m.
Tacoma Dome Details
- Doors open at 1:30pm
- Prohibited/Permitted Items
- Parking & Directions
- Security Enhancements
- Bag Size Restrictions
- Park free at the Tacoma Dome
Livestream the in-person event
Friends, family, and loved ones that are unable to attend the in-person ceremony can watch the ceremony online. Watch the livestream!
Event Photos
Professional photographers will be taking photos at this year's Commencement Ceremony.
Graduates will be able to go to 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.
CPTC Commencement Ceremony FAQ's
Yes! Friends, family, and loved ones that are unable to attend the in-person ceremony can live stream the event by clicking here!
There will not be a rehearsal at the 2022 ceremony. Doors to the Tacoma Dome Arena will open at 1:30 p.m. Graduates should arrive at the arena no later than 2:30 p.m. on June 16.
More info about the 2022 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.
Doors to the Tacoma Dome open at 1:30 pm. Graduates should arrive no later than 2:30 pm 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. Fill out an application form to be eligible for a free gown rental on a first come, first served bases. Students will be notified by Thursday, May 26 of the status of their request for a loaner gown. Rental gowns will be available for pick up June 1-14. 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 2022 are eligible to participate in the June 2022 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. Doors to the Tacoma Dome open at 1:30 p.m.
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. Doors to the Tacoma Dome open at 1:30 p.m.
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, Brenda McKinney at 253-589-5767.
To ensure accommodations will be in place prior to your arrival, please contact us by Tuesday, May 31. 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, Graduation Coordinator.
CPTC's 2022 graduation ceremony (commencement) live be streamed live online.
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 or fall graduates participating in the ceremony each Spring.
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
Eligible students will be able to pick up their honor cord at the Student Leadership & Service Center (SLSC) in Building 23 between June 1-15.
Eligible students can pick up their honor cord at the Student Leadership & Service Center (SLSC) in Building 23..
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 Location
- Tacoma Dome
- 2727 E D St. Tacoma, WA 98421
- 3:00 p.m., Thursday, June 16, 2022
- Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
- Graduates: arrive by 2:30 p.m.
Commencement 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
