SWIC awards degrees at the end of each academic term (Fall, Spring and Summer).

Commencement

Students who have applied for graduation and completed requirements for a degree during the spring term and graduates from the previous summer and fall terms will be invited to participate in the graduation ceremony which is held once a year in May.

The specific date of the ceremony is listed on the college calendar. Students must still submit a graduation application even if they choose not to participate in the ceremony.

Commencement Honors

At the annual graduation ceremony held each spring, students who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher will be eligible to wear a blue tassel, which represents the achievement of honors, rather than a black tassel.

This achievement is determined by the cumulative grade point average through the fall term. Spring grades do not affect commencement honor status.

Certificates

Students at Southwestern Illinois College can earn certificates in a variety of occupational programs ranging from two semesters credit hours to fifty semester credit hours in length. Certificates are automatically awarded at the end of term for students who have completed the following:

• Complete all certificate requirements as outlined in the Programs that Lead Directly to Employment section of the college catalog (blue pages).
• Complete a minimum of 25% of the required credit hours through courses offered by Southwestern Illinois College. Consent of the program coordinator/department head, dean, and instructional vice president is necessary for any variance from this requirement.
• Achieve a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in courses required for the certificate.

Certificates will be mailed approximately 4 weeks after the end of the term.