Commencement 2023
Yavapai College Commencement (graduation) ceremonies are held once per year in May of each academic year at the end of the spring semester.
2023 Graduates:
2023 graduates who attended Commencement ceremonies will receive an email soon from Grad Images with options to purchase the photo with Dr. Rhine.
Graduates should monitor their YC scholar email!
- 9:00 am: Degree recipients will attend the ceremony
- 12:00 pm: Certificate recipients will attend the ceremony
- Graduates who are receiving both a degree and certificate will attend the 9:00am ceremony.
- Sedona Performing Arts Center
Red Rock High School
995 Upper Red Rock Loop Rd
Sedona, AZ 86336
* Graduates and guests are required to go through security checkpoints, including wand and bag checks
- 3:00 pm: Degree and certificate recipients
- Findlay Toyota Center
3201 N Main St
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
* Graduates and guests are required to go through security checkpoints, including wand and bag checks
All students who graduated in the Fall or Spring semester, or who plan to graduate in the Summer semester of the current academic year (prior year graduates are not included).
Students will be notified when the online graduation application is available. There is no fee to apply for graduation or to attend the Commencement ceremony as a graduate.
Yes, graduates are required to wear a cap and gown for Commencement. Order online.
The YC Bookstore has a limited number of cap/gown/tassel sets for in-person purchase – 928.776.2213.
No.
- After final grades are posted, we will complete an audit to verify that all degree/certificate requirements have been met. Successful graduates will have access to a digital copy of their diploma/certificate within 10 days of the end of the semester.
- Diplomas (and Certificates) will be mailed to successful graduates approximately two weeks after the end of the semester to the current mailing address on file. Please check your current address on file by logging in and going to
My Account-->My Personal Information. - Any balance due the College or holds on your student record will prevent the release of your diploma.
A student who is awarded an associate degree with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher at Yavapai College is designated as graduating "with honors". See catalog for additional requirements. There is a notation in the Commencement program, and the words "with honors" are included in the degree conferral on the student's official transcript and also on the diploma.
- Member graduates have a CHP notation in the Commencement Program
- Graduates are provided with a gold cord to wear around the neck at the ceremony.
- Member graduates have a PTK notation in the Commencement program
- Member graduates are encouraged to purchase the " key honors stole" available at here to wear at Commencement.
Eligible students are expected to submit an application to graduate using the self-service Graduation Application link under the Students tile in the myYC portal. The application is only open at certain times of the year. Monitor your YC scholar email for instructions on how and when to apply.
Submitted applications will be reviewed for eligibility. Once you have applied, monitor your YC scholar email for any updates to your graduation status and commencement information.
Any questions regarding your graduation application should be directed to commencement@yc.edu.
Want to be a Commencement Student Speaker?
Each year, Yavapai College selects two graduating students to represent the graduating class by speaking at the Commencement ceremony on each campus.
Eligibility:
Any graduating student eligible for May Commencement who has earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher may apply.
Presentation Criteria :
As part of this application, you must submit
- a hard copy of your speech AND
- A recorded video of your presentation
Students whose speeches are selected as finalists will be based on the following:
Your commencement speech should be a ceremonial speech appropriate for the audience and the occasion. You will be speaking primarily for the class and to the class, but also to friends, family and the entire Yavapai College community. Your speech could draw upon your experiences at YC and the value of a community college education, share some of your own accomplishments but also provide a meaningful message for others. The speech must be three to five minutes in length.
- Appropriateness of the message
- Appeal to a broad audience
- Delivery
- Mechanics
Any questions regarding your graduation application should be directed to commencement@yc.edu.
Stay in touch as a YC Alumni and enjoy the benefits and share your stories.