To graduate, students must follow a few steps. Please note that applying to get your degree is not the same as signing up to walk at commencement. Please see the details below.

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. Students meeting these criteria who wish to participate in the spring commencement must meet the spring graduation application deadline.

Application Deadlines

Graduation applications should be completed by the start of your last registered semester. i.e. Fall graduates should apply by the start of Fall semester. Before applying, students should check their Degree Audit to verify all requirements are complete. The application deadline for publication in the Spring graduation ceremony program is April 1. Any applications received after the deadline will be processed and students can still participate in the commencement ceremony, but names will not be published in the graduation list.

Application Steps

1. Complete the graduation application
   • Review your DARS audit for accuracy and completeness before completing the graduation application.
   • Fill out the form and submit online.
2. 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 Jone Driver.

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 graduation program 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 to be worn at the graduation ceremony. 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 to be worn at the ceremony.

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

The deadline to sign up to walk at graduation is May 3. Get more commencement information, including details about signing up to walk and ceremony rules.

Commencement Ceremony Program

We want to make sure that your information appearing in the commencement ceremony programs is correct. Please check the spelling of your name and honor status. (A key for the honor status symbols is located at the bottom of the page.) If your name is not on this list or your information is inaccurate, please contact Kelli Kienitz, Ridgewater registrar, at Kelli.kienitz@ridgewater.edu or 320-222-5215. The deadline for changes is April 19.

Hutchinson graduation list [PDF]
Willmar graduation list [PDF]

Graduation Expo

The Grad Expo is a one-stop information source for all graduating students. It is not required, but a 10- to 20-minute visit will help you check off all necessary tasks on your graduation to-do list, even if you aren’t attending the ceremony in May.

What to Expect

At the Grad Expo, people will be available to help you:

• Make sure you’re on the list to graduate (get your degree, diploma, and/or certificate)
• Sign up to walk at the graduation ceremony
• Purchase your cap, gown, and tassel
• Learn about exit loans
• Get a professional photo
• Obtain job search information

Questions? Email Student.life@ridgewater.edu. Please specify which campus you are on in your email.