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.
2026 Commencement Ceremony
We are in the process of planning the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, which is currently scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 9 at the Tacoma Dome. More details will be published to this page as we get closer to the event.
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 2026 must submit a degree/certificate application by Friday, April 24. Students completing their degree/certificate in Summer 2026 must submit a degree/certificate application by Friday, July 24.
RSVP for the 2026 Commencement Ceremony
The RSVP form for the 2026 ceremony will be available on April 14, 2026.
Apply to be the Student Speaker or National Anthem Performer
Are you interested in serving as the Student Speaker for the 2026 Commencement Ceremony? Are you interested in performing the National Anthem at this years event? Submit an application between April 14-April 30, 2026. The application will be available on this website starting April 14. Auditions are tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 8.
Tacoma Dome Details
- Prohibited/Permitted Items
- Security Enhancements
- Bag Size Restrictions
- Parking & Directions
- Park free at the Tacoma Dome
Watch Commencement Live
The 2026 ceremony is scheduled to be live streamed for those unable to attend the event in person. A link to the live stream will be updated to the website the week of the event.
While we do everything we can to ensure a great streaming experience for you, we cannot guarantee the absence of technology difficulties.
Caps & Gowns
A cap and gown are requited to participate in the 2026 Commencement Ceremony. There are a couple of ways you can order you cap and gown.
Online Purchasing Options
- Graduates can visit https://oakhallcg.com/pages/cloverparktechcol to purchase their graduation items
- Graduates can choose the ship to store option and can order March 9 - April 20, 2026
- All ship to store orders will be available for pick up at the Bookstore starting June 1, 2026.
- Graduates can choose ship to home option and can order March 9 - May 8, 2026
- Shipping to home adds an additions $17.95 shipping charge
In Store Purchasing Options
- Graduates who prefer to order in store can do so June 1 - June 9, 2026.
- The CPTC Bookstore is located in Building 23 on the Lakewood Campus.
Pricing
- Graduates can purchase their cap, gown & tassel (bundle) for $51.98 plus tax
- Cap only is $11.98 plus tax
- Tassel only is $9.98 plus tax
- Keyring is $9.98 plus tax
Questions about purchasing your graduation regalia at the CPTC Bookstore? Contact Kariena Mellor, Bookstore Manager, at kariena.mellor@cptc.edu or call 253-589-5614.
Wear it Forward
The Department of Student Life hosts "Wear It Forward" - a program that provides graduates a free loaner gown to wear to the Commencement Ceremony. There are approximately 100 gowns in various sizes available on a first come, first served basis. An application form will be available starting Monday, April 6 for students interested in participating in the program. For more information about the Wear It Forward program, please contact Danny Lee, Assistant Director of Student Life at danny.lee@cptc.edu.
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 photo commemorating the event. Graduates will be able to go to the event photographers website after the ceremony to view and download photos of the event at no cost.
Disability Accommodations
If you need any ADA accommodations to fully attend and/or participate in the commencement ceremony please contact Sarah Addington, Disabilities Services Manager at sarah.addington@cptc.edu or 253-589-5767. To ensure accommodations will be in place prior to your arrival, please contact us by Monday, May 11 . 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 Dee Ladson, Veterans Service Manager, 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.
Childcare
Please note, there is no childcare option on site during graduation. Children, family members and/or guests are not able to site with graduates during the ceremony. Please plan accordingly.
Ceremony Expectations
It is our expectation that all students participating in the Commencement Ceremony stay throughout the entire event. You and your peers have worked so hard to reach this milestone and we want to make sure all of our graduates have the same wonderful and supportive experience. We anticipate the event will end between 8:00-8:15pm.
CPTC Commencement Ceremony FAQ's
There will not be a rehearsal at the 2026 ceremony.
More info about the 2026 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 requited to participate in the 2026 Commencement Ceremony. There are a couple of ways you can order you cap and gown.
Online Purchasing Options
- Graduates can visit https://oakhallcg.com/pages/cloverparktechcol to purchase their graduation items
- Graduates can choose the ship to store option and can order March 9 - April 20, 2026
- All ship to store orders will be available for pick up at the Bookstore starting June 1, 2026.
- Graduates can choose ship to home option and can order March 9 - May 8, 2026
- Shipping to home adds an additions $17.95 shipping charge
In Store Purchasing Options
- Graduates who prefer to order in store can do so June 1 - June 9, 2026.
- The CPTC Bookstore is located in Building 23 on the Lakewood Campus.
Pricing
- Graduates can purchase their cap, gown & tassel (bundle) for $51.98 plus tax
- Cap only is $11.98 plus tax
- Tassel only is $9.98 plus tax
- Keyring is $9.98 plus tax
Questions about purchasing your graduation regalia at the CPTC Bookstore? Contact Kariena Mellor, Bookstore Manager, at kariena.mellor@cptc.edu or call 253-589-5614.
Wear it Forward
The Department of Student Life hosts "Wear It Forward" - a program that provides graduates a free loaner gown to wear to the Commencement Ceremony. There are approximately 100 gowns in various sizes available on a first come, first served basis. An application form will be available starting Monday, April 6 for students interested in participating in the program. For more information about the Wear It Forward program, please contact Danny Lee, Assistant Director of Student Life at danny.lee@cptc.edu.
Students who will be completing their degree during the summer quarter of 2026 are eligible to participate in the June 2026 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 need any ADA accommodations to fully attend and/or participate in the commencement ceremony please contact Disabilities Services Manager, Sarah Addington at 253-589-5767.
To ensure accommodations will be in place prior to your arrival, please contact us by Monday, May 11. We will do everything in our power to accommodate any requests that are submitted after the priority deadline.
Please complete this quick form to request letters of support to invite friends & family from outside of the U.S. to attend the ceremony. Note, you will be required to log into your CPTC student email account to access the form.
Questions? Contact Blake Smith, Student 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 a cumulative grade point average of 3.75-4.0 while completing their degree/certificate
- 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.
Degrees and Certificates are not given out at the Commencement Ceremony.
Honor Cord FAQ
A student completing a CPTC degree and/or certificate 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.
Must have earned a cumulative college level grade point average of 3.75-4.0 while completing their degree/certificate.
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 2026 graduates participating in the Spring 2026 ceremony.
Students will receive their honor cord letters by May 21, 2026.
Enrollment Services, Building 17. You can talk to either of these Enrollment Services team members:
- Marie Ott, Manager of Admissions & Enrollment Systems
- McKenzee Murphy, Director of Enrollment Services and Registrar
A photo ID is required to pick up your honor cord.
Dates and times for honor cord pick up at TBD and will be announced as we get closer to the event.
Honor cords may be picked up through the day of the Commencement Ceremony, June 9. Please note, offices will be close at 12pm on the day of the ceremony, so please be sure to stop by before then. Honor cords will not be available for pick-up at the ceremony.
To pick up your honor cord, please bring your letter and photo ID to the Enrollment Services Office, located in Building 17 on the Lakewood campus. Exact dates and times are TBD.
Nothing – honor cords are free!
Unfortunately not. Eligible students can only receive one honor cord.
Only if you earned a degree/certificate 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
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 6:30pm
Doors open at 5pm
Commencement Location
Venue Details
Contact
- Questions about the Graduation Application
- Credentials Evaluator
- evaluator@cptc.edu
- Questions about the Ceremony
- Graduation Coordinator
- jessica.wallack@cptc.edu
- 253-589-5780