Graduation

New Opportunities Ahead

Congratulations on reaching this exciting milestone! You're ready to begin an exciting new chapter, whether it’s advancing your career or pursuing further education.

Apply for Graduation

Submit your graduation application to officially complete your certificate, diploma, or degree.

Your graduation application ensures we have your most up-to-date update information, such as:

  • The name you want printed on your diploma.
  • The mailing address to send the printed diploma.
  • Your hometown details so we can notify your local newspaper about your graduation.

Applying allows you to participate in the commencement ceremony if you choose.

Fall and Spring Graduates

Once you’ve registered for classes that will fulfill the course requirements for a certificate, diploma, or degree in your program, you’ll receive an email invitation to apply for graduation. This email will be sent to your Hawkeye email.

Note: You should receive your invitation to apply for graduation about two to three weeks after registering for your final classes. If you haven’t received it and it’s been three weeks since your registration, please contact your academic advisor for assistance.

Summer Graduates

A graduation application will be created for you up until the day of the commencement ceremony. Keep an eye on your Hawkeye email for a notification that your application has been created. Be sure to review it and make any necessary updates.

After the commencement ceremony, summer graduates will receive an invitation to apply for graduation. Watch your Hawkeye email for further instructions.

Your Invitation to Apply for Graduation email will include the deadline to apply, but here’s a quick reference for your convenience.

  • Summer 2025 graduate: July 11, 2025, by 4:30 PM
  • Fall 2025 graduate: November 28, 2025, by 4:30 PM

Note: To receive your invitation to apply for graduation, you must be registered for the classes that complete your program requirements. Make sure to register early, especially if you plan to complete your program in the summer, so you don't miss the application deadline.

Follow the link provided in your invitation to apply for graduation email to begin your application.

  1. Start Your Application: Click APPLY under Application Status for the major/degree listed in the invitation email.
  2. Read Instructions Carefully: The instructions provide important details to help you fill out the application correctly. Mistakes can delay your application or diploma.
  3. Fill Out Your Information: Review and complete the details on the Graduation Application form.
  4. Check Your Degree Information: Only the degrees or majors you are currently enrolled in will show. Click "Apply" next to each degree if you have more than one to complete. You may receive more than one invitation email if this applies.
  5. Review Automatic Fields: Some sections will fill in automatically. Double-check that all information is correct, as it will be used to print and mail your diploma. There is a $15 fee to reprint your diploma if there’s a mistake.
  6. Preferred Name on Diploma: Your diploma will show your name exactly as it appears in the “Preferred Name on Diploma” field. If you plan to change your name before graduation, enter it as you want it to appear on the diploma.
  7. Diploma Mailing Address: Enter the address where you want your diploma sent.
  8. Graduation Term: Use the drop-down list to pick the correct graduation term from the invitation email.
    • Spring Graduate: If you’re taking spring or December Minimester classes to finish your program.
    • Summer Graduate: If you’re taking summer classes to finish.
    • Fall Graduate: If you’re finishing in the fall semester.
  9. Submit the Application: After you click SUBMIT, a green confirmation box will pop up on the screen, and a confirmation will be sent to your Hawkeye email.
  10. Check Your Application Status: Click “< Back to Major(s)/Degree(s)” to go back. Look for a green checkmark with the date showing your application was submitted.

You have three working days after your last class (for classes shorter than 16 weeks) or three days after the semester ends to submit any updates to your application.

Use the link provided in the email to go to the Graduation Overview in Self-Service.

Under Application Status, click on the link that says “Application submitted on (date)” to open your graduation application.

When you’re done, click “SUBMIT.” A green box will appear, saying, “The graduation application has been updated.”

You will receive an email to your Hawkeye email within 30 days of submitting your graduation application, notifying you of its status. Look for an email with the subject line "Graduation Application Status".

After registering for classes, check My Progress in Self-Service for each active major or degree.

You’re on track to graduate when all requirements are marked as completed, in progress, or registered (not planned).

If your major/degree is missing from My Progress in Self Service, take the following steps:

  • Transferring Credits from Another College/University: If you completed the missing courses at another college or university, submit your official transcript(s) for transfer credit review. After your courses are evaluated and added to your record, and if you're now on track to graduate, you'll receive an invitation to apply for graduation via your Hawkeye email.
  • Reverse Credit Transfer: If you're enrolled at another college or university and have taken courses that will complete your degree requirements at Hawkeye, refer to the Reverse Credit Transfer process. This allows you to transfer credits back to Hawkeye to finalize your degree.
  • If you have a course substitution, course waiver, catalog year change, or certification/licensure that should fulfill your degree requirements but isn't showing in Self-Service My Progress, schedule a meeting with your academic advisor. They can help ensure that your records are updated accordingly.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must:

Students follow the program requirements active at the time of their enrollment. If they take a break (miss one or more fall or spring semester) and return later, they will need to meet the program requirements in effect at the time of their re-enrollment.

If program requirements change, the College will work to minimize any impact by offering alternative courses or make program modifications as needed.

Graduation requirements at Hawkeye Community College align with state and accrediting agency requirements and are approved by the Board of Trustees.

Graduating with Honors

Graduating with honors shows your dedication, effort, and strong academic performance.

To receive honors, you need at least 12 credit hours completed in the past two years and a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher. Your cumulative GPA includes all courses taken at Hawkeye, including those completed in high school and any transferred credits.

The distinctions are:

  • Presidential Honors: 4.00 GPA
  • High Honors: 3.75 – 3.99 GPA
  • Honors: 3.50 – 3.74 GPA

This honor will be printed on your diploma and transcript.

If you're eligible, you can also wear an honors medallion at the commencement ceremony to celebrate your success!

Note: Students with a grade of "O" are not eligible for honors.

Your Diploma

Diplomas will be mailed about three to four weeks after graduation to the address provided on your graduation application.

If your diploma doesn’t arrive within four weeks, double-check that the address on your graduation application is correct, make sure you’ve met all graduation requirements, and check for any holds on your student account. If everything looks good, please reach out to the Registrar's Office for assistance.

If there is a hold, you will receive a letter at the mailing address provided in the graduation application, detailing the hold and contact information for the office(s) involved. Once all holds are resolved, contact the Registrar’s office to request your diploma be mailed.

Note: Hawkeye is not responsible for undelivered, lost, stolen, or damaged diplomas. If needed, you can request a replacement diploma.

Diploma Covers

Students who participate in the Commencement Ceremony will receive a diploma cover at the event.

Diploma covers are also available for pick up at Hawkeye. Stop by the Business Office to pay the $6 fee, then bring your receipt to the Registrar's office to pick up a diploma cover.

Degrees Awarded

Hawkeye awards the following degrees:

  • Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS): An AA or AS degree emphasizes completing general education courses designed for transfer to a four-year college or university. These programs, typically requiring at least four semesters and 62 credits, prepare students for further academic pursuits while meeting transfer requirements.
  • Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Associate of Applied Arts (AAA): An AAS or AAA degree focuses on competence of applying basic principles, theories, and occupational skills. These programs, typically requiring at least four semesters and 60 credits, ensure students meet the minimum requirements for applied, technical, and general education courses to graduate.
  • Diploma: A Diploma program focuses more on occupational skills than the Associate in Applied Arts or Science degrees. It requires completion of applied, technical, and general education courses, ensuring a practical skillset. These programs typically last at least two semesters and require a minimum of 30 credits.
  • Certificate: Certificates are awarded upon successful completion of non-degree or diploma programs, which typically last less than two semesters. These programs are designed to provide specialized skills and knowledge in a specific area.

Contact Us

Registrar's Office

Main Campus
Hawkeye Center 114
319-296-2460
Email the Registrar's Office

Regular Hours — Spring 2025

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Records Specialist

Carrie Lalk
319-296-2329 ext.1209
Email Carrie Lalk