Are you ready to graduate? Remember to apply for graduation by the deadline listed below. Students can apply for graduation in their SIS Student Center. Graduation Application Instructions.
If you lack any credit hours to complete your program requirements at the end of the spring semester, you may participate in Mountain Gateway's commencement ceremony. However, you must be enrolled in the necessary coursework in the following summer term. No exceptions will be made.
How to apply to graduate?
Even if you don’t plan to participate in the graduation ceremony, you must apply to graduate. This is essential to getting your diploma ordered.
The application will be open as follows:
Fall graduation: September 1 through October 31
Spring graduation: November 1 through February 28
Summer graduation: July 1 through July 31
Navigation to the graduation application:
- Log in to your myMGCC account
- Click the Student Information System (SIS) tile
- Click Academic Records & Progress tile
- On the left side, choose Apply for Graduation
- Verify your information- This is crucial. Your name as it appears here is how it will be on your diploma. If name changes need to be made, please stop by Student Services or call 540-863-2820. If your address needs to be changed, select Update Address. Once correct, click Proceed with Making Application
- Follow the prompts and answer questions
- Review and agree to submit your application
Diplomas
Your name will appear on your diploma based on how you have it listed on the application and will be mailed to the address you provide on your Application for Graduation. Please ensure this information is correct.
Transcripts
Order your official transcript at MGCC’s Transcripts and Records webpage and click on “MGCC Parchment Storefront.”
Contact Us
If you have questions related to graduation, contact Phyllis Bartley, at (540) 863-2823 or pbartley@mgcc.edu.
Commencement
Congratulations to the class of 2026! We are proud of you and your accomplishments! The Commencement ceremony will be held in the MGCC Convocation Center on campus on May 8, 2026, at 6:30 pm.
The Nursing Pinning Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 6:30 pm in the MGCC Convocation Center.
We HIGHLY encourage students to check their VCCS email often for deadlines, updates, and announcements.
Please note: MGCC only holds Commencement in the spring. However, students who graduated during the previous fall semester are welcome to participate.
Before you apply to graduate, here's a handy checklist to ensure you're ready:
Step 1: Meet the Requirements
Fulfill your degree requirements, as shown on your Advisement Report*
You should run an Advisement Report prior to meeting with your advisor and know your requirements, both satisfied and not satisfied. You can verify that a course substitution has been completed or monitor your progress towards completion of degree requirements.
- Log in to myMGCC and click SIS: Student Information System.
- Click on Academic Records & Progress.
- On the left, click My Academic Requirements
- Click Expand All or View Report as PDF
*It is highly recommended that students meet with their academic advisor to review requirements. Students may be permitted to participate in the ceremony if a minimum number of credit hours is outstanding and can be reasonably completed during the summer semester. Students must be enrolled in the necessary coursework for summer at least one week prior to the ceremony. No exceptions will be made.
Step 2: Apply to Graduate (see instructions at top of page)
Step 3: Order your cap and gown. Deadline to purchase is March 1, 2026. https://www.buildagrad.com/mgcc Cost is $19, and it will be delivered to MGCC (this saves the student shipping cost). You will not be eligible to participate in the Graduation Ceremony without the proper commencement regalia.
Step 4: Complete the Graduate Exit Survey
Step 5: Attend Commencement rehearsal on May 1, 1:00 pm. You will not be able to participate in the ceremony unless you are in attendance.
Step 6: Attend Commencement. Tickets are not required to attend.
Before You Arrive
- Plan to arrive at the Moomaw Center on campus by 5:30 pm, May 8, 2026. Graduates must arrive 60 minutes before the graduation ceremony time. This allows time to check in and be lined up in the correct order.
- Please give personal items to your family/guest to hold during the ceremony.
Parking
- Handicapped parking is available at the Convocation Center. Please let someone at the door know if additional assistance is required.
Attire
- Only students who have purchased the properly selected commencement regalia will be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony.
- Business casual attire beneath the gown is recommended.
- Place the tassel over the right front of the cap.
- If you are a Phi Theta Kapp member, please contact your advisor for more information regarding specific PTK regalia.
Before the Ceremony
- Graduates will receive a card at the check-in table (located in the Moomaw Center). Please keep this card with you during the ceremony and make sure that you have it when you walk toward the stage. You will present the card to the commencement announcer.
During the Ceremony
- Please shut off cell phones and refrain from use during the ceremony.
- As a courtesy to all graduates and their guests, you are expected to remain for the entire ceremony. Please ask your guests to meet you outside the Convocation Center after the ceremony.
After the Ceremony
- Please join us in the Moomaw Center for refreshments.
Please note: End-of-term processing and the degree conferral process take approximately 2-3 weeks after graduation. During this time, your degree may not be shown on your transcript. Once all degrees have been conferred, you will receive an electronic copy of your credential to your student email account. This signifies Parchment has received the credential order, and the hard copy will arrive in the mail 4-6 weeks after that. Once you have the electronic copy, you can order a transcript, and your degree(s) will be visible.