Graduation
Apply for Degree, Diploma, or Certificate
Graduation candidates must apply for graduation by the published deadline during their last semester. Students within 10 credits or 12 internships credits of completing their degree may participate in the spring commencement. Students graduating in the fall who wish to participate in the spring commencement must give a detailed explanation in the Student Notes section of the graduation application regarding what courses you still need to register for and where you will be taking them.
Application Deadlines
Graduation applications should be completed the semester prior to your final semester. i.e. Spring graduates should apply before the end of the Fall semester. Before applying, students should check their Degree Audit to verify all requirements are complete. The application deadline for publication in the Spring Graduate List is May 6. Any applications received after the deadline will be processed, but names will not be published in the Graduate List.
Application Steps
- Complete the graduation application
- Review your DARS audit for accuracy and completeness before completing the graduation application.
- Fill out the form and submit online.
- Please indicate your interest in attending the Commencement Ceremony on Step 3 of the form.
- Complete the career services registration form
- Fill out the form online, then submit online.
If you are unable to submit these forms online, please email Kelli Kienitz.
How Do I Get a DARS Report?
Sign into eServices with your StarID and password. Click on Academic Records and choose Degree Audit Report.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete all required courses and achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better on a 4.00 grading scale.
Time Limit
Students graduating in fewer than four years must meet the graduation and degree requirements in the current college catalog or those degree requirements in effect during their first term at Ridgewater College. Students graduating more than four years after the date of first enrollment must meet the requirements stated in the catalog in effect for the year in which graduation occurs.
Residence
To be eligible for graduation, a student must have earned at least one-third of the semester credits at Ridgewater College and must be enrolled at the College during the semester in which the degree requirements are completed. An exception may be made when a student who has completed at least 20 credits at Ridgewater College lacks 10 or fewer credits for graduation. Such students may petition the administration for permission to complete the degree requirements through transfer of acceptable non-resident credit. Petitions/transcripts will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for recency or to ensure compliance with current graduation standards.
Honors
For those who qualify, the Graduate List will note, with one star, individuals who have achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50. Their diploma will also be embossed with the honor student seal. Two stars will indicate a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75. In addition to the honors seal, these students will receive gold braids. Three stars will indicate a perfect 4.00 GPA. In addition to the honors seal and gold braids, these students will also be given a medallion. All honor cords will be included in the Graduation Celebration Package for students that earned them. These packages will be available for pickup on campus between June 07-11, 2021 after final grades are in. For more information regarding the Graduation Celebration Package page, please visit our Commencement page.
To be eligible for honors, at least two-thirds of all credits earned at Ridgewater College must have a grade point value letter grade assigned (i.e., A – F).
Holds
All student account holds must be cleared before a diploma/degree can be released (including parking fines).
Students who borrowed money while attending Ridgewater College must complete exit counseling before the diploma/degree can be mailed.
Placement Information
Please make sure to complete the graduate career services registration form. This will allow you access to employment opportunities after graduation. Even if you have obtained employment, the State of Minnesota requires that we report that information. Feel free to contact Career Services with any questions.
Ceremony Details
Visit our Commencement page for more details on our commencement ceremony.
Questions? Please contact:
Hutchinson Campus
Heather Marcus
Heather.Marcus@ridgewater.edu
320-234-8562
Willmar Campus
Angela Haas
Angela.Hass@ridgewater.edu
320-222-5643
Graduate List
Ridgewater College has one Commencement Ceremony each spring for graduates from the entire year. This Graduate List includes graduates from the previous summer and fall and current spring semester. Future graduates for the next summer or fall semester will be included in the next spring ceremony and graduate list. Exceptions can be made if you are within 12 credits of completing your requirements. You must contact me to make a request to be included in the current spring graduate list.
Please check the spelling of your name and honor status. A key for the honor status symbols is located at the bottom of the graduate list.
If your name is not on this list, you either:
- did not complete your Graduation Application or it is still processing
- you completed an Authorization to Withhold Directory Information form telling us not to release your name
- or, you will be published in next year’s list.
Please contact Kelli Kienitz, Ridgewater registrar, at Kelli.kienitz@ridgewater.edu or 320-222-5215 if you have questions or your information is inaccurate. The deadline for changes is May 6.
Hutchinson Graduation List [PDF]
Willmar Graduation List [PDF]
