Application

Each student seeking a degree or a certificate of achievement is required to submit a Graduation for Application to Admission and Records with a $25 payment receipt. Students enrolled in their last required class(es) should apply at the beginning of that semester.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester - November 1
• Spring Semester - March 1
• Summer Semester - June 15

Applications received after the published deadline will be considered for the following semester.

Continuing Students

Students who continue taking classes at WNC after a degree or certificate is finalized should be aware that their degree status will be changed to non-degree seeking. Students who plan to strive towards a different degree or certificate should declare this by submitting a degree declaration form to Admissions and Records after the semester of their graduation date has ended. This is especially important for students applying for financial aid.

Diplomas

Students should legibly print their name on the graduation application exactly as they would like it to appear on their diploma. Successfully completed degrees/certificates will be posted to students' official transcripts approximately 12 weeks after the end of the graduating semester in which the application was filed. Printed diplomas will be mailed to the student at the address indicated on the graduation application approximately 14-16 weeks after the end of the semester of application.

Commencement

All graduating students are encouraged to participate in commencement ceremonies held at the close of the spring semester each year. At that time, all associate degrees and certificates of achievement are conferred for graduates from the spring semester and from the summer and fall semesters preceding the spring semester ceremonies. Letters of invitation are mailed to qualified students in April.

Additional Information on commencement ceremonies can be found on the Commencement Information page.

Requirements for graduation

Associate Degree and Certificate of Achievement

A student wising to obtain an associate degree or certificate of achievement from Western Nevada College must have satisfied the following requirements:

1. Completed the curriculum requirements for the degree or certificate. The student may select either the catalog year under which he/she initially enrolls and completes a course, or the year under which he/she will complete the curriculum requirements for a degree/certificate. Students may also select the catalog year when he/she officially declares a program of study for the first time if declared fall 2007 or later. Students applying to programs with selective admission criteria must follow the catalog in effect at the time the enrollment application is submitted. Each WNC catalog is effective for the upcoming fall, spring and subsequent summer terms. In no case may students use a catalog which is more than six years old at the time of graduation. Students who fail to complete degree/certificate curriculum requirements within six years of their initial enrollment may use the next catalog in effect dating six years after their initial enrollment. If a degree or major is offered for the first time after a student has enrolled, the student may choose the catalog year in which the degree or major was first offered. Students may not use a combination of catalogs for graduation. This applies to all policies and curriculum.
2. In some cases completion of a single course may satisfy requirements in two different areas of an associate degree or certificate of achievement. Students may use a single course to satisfy a general education requirement in addition to a program, subject, core or emphasis requirement. A single course may not be used to satisfy more than one general education requirement, except for the US/Nevada constitution requirement.
3. Completed 15 semester college level credits in residence at Western Nevada College for each degree or certificate of achievement. Challenge examinations, non-traditional credit, or developmental courses (courses numbered below 100) do not count as resident credit.
4. Maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. The grade point average for graduation must be at least a 2.0 on a 4.0=A scale. This grade point average is calculated by using all courses chose to fulfill the degree requirements taken at WNC and transferred.
5. Met all financial/library obligations. No student will be issued a degree or certificate if he/she has not met all financial/library obligations. Outstanding debts may be paid at the Business Office. Library holds can be cleared through Library and Media Services.
6. Submit an Application for Graduation and payment to Admissions and Records by the published deadline.

Dual Degrees/Certificates

A student may earn two or more associate degrees or certificates of achievement subsequently or simultaneously provided he/she fulfills all of the following conditions:

1. Files a separate application for graduation and pays the application fee for each associate degree or certificate,
2. Satisfies all of the requirements for each associate degree or certificate, and
3. Completes 15 credits in residence for each associate degree or certificate.

For each additional associate degree, a student must complete 15 credits in addition to the minimum number required for the first degree. This means a student who wishes to earn two degrees must have at least 75 college level semester credits, 30 of which were earned in residence at WNC. College preparatory courses with a number below 100 will not apply toward the 75 total semester or residence credits.

Requirements for Graduation - Bachelor's Degree

A student wishing to obtain a bachelor's degree from Western Nevada Community College must have satisfied the following requirements:

1. Completed the curriculum requirements for the degree. The student may select either the catalog year under which he/she initially enrolls in a baccalaureate-level program or the year of graduation. In the case of NSHE transfer students, exceptions to this policy will be handled by Admissions and Records and the transfer agreement contract process. Whichever catalog is used it cannot be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation. Students who fail to complete degree requirements within ten years of their initial enrollment may use the next catalog in effect dating 10 years after the students' initial enrollment. Students may not use a combination of catalogs for graduation. This includes all policies and curriculum.
2. Completed 32 semester credits in residence at WNC. Challenge examinations, non-traditional credit, or developmental courses (courses numbered below 100) do not count as resident credit.
3. Maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and the minimum grade point average required for program requirements. The cumulative grade point average is calculated by using all courses used to fulfill the degree requirements taken at WNC and transferred.
4. Complete a minimum of 40 upper division credits (numbered 300 or above).
5. Met all financial/library obligations. No student will be issued a degree if he/she has not met all financial/library obligations.
6. Submit an Application for Graduation and payment to Admissions and Records by the published deadline.

Additional questions or inquires should be directed to Admissions and Records at 775-445-3277 or admissions.records@wnc.edu