Commencement information for graduates

Students must apply for their degree or certificate to receive an invitation to participate in the annual Commencement and to have their name included in the printed program. 

If you believe you are meeting all of the requirements to earn a degree or certificate from Moorpark College, consider submitting your grad petition application today! Speak with your counselor to confirm that you have met all the requirements necessary to earn a certificate and/or degree and therefore participate in Commencement. Visit the MC Counseling Office's Appointments page to connect with a counselor virtually or schedule an appointment with Starfish.

• Deadline to apply for your degree or certificate in fall 2024: The MC Academic Counseling Office offers a rolling deadline for grad petition applications through the last day of the semester.
• Deadline to apply for your degree or certificate in spring 2025: Graduates who wish to see their name appear in the Moorpark College Commencement Program are encouraged to submit their grad petition with a counselor by April 25, 2025, otherwise they run the risk of having their name omitted from the Program.

Please note that the Office of Student Life, which coordinates the Commencement event, does not determine students' eligibility for degrees or certificates. Students are advised to contact the Counseling Office for information on whether they have met all requirements for degree or certificate completion.

Deadline to RSVP for the Thursday, May 22 celebration will be announced at a later date.

Registrants should also review the Conduct Expectations for Ceremony Participants. Questions about the ceremony may be directed to MCCommencement@vcccd.edu. Questions about degree completion requirements should be directed to MCAdmissions@vcccd.edu.

A "Save the Date" message will be circulated to the MyVCCCD email accounts of all MC students who submit a 2024-2025 graduate petition form with the MC Counseling Office by the specified deadlines (refer to Step 1). Please check your MyVCCCD email for that message and for future emails with additional details beginning in spring semester 2025.

Graduates* will receive additional instructions and reminders leading up to the event via their MyVCCCD email. Please note that these messages sometimes are found in students' spam/junk folders, so be sure to check there if you don't see them in your inbox.

(*The term "Graduates" refers to students who submitted a grad petition with a Moorpark College counselor to certify that they met all degree or certificate requirements.)
 

When will I receive these updates?

Email communications will begin going out to eligible graduates in spring semester 2025. In the meantime, any questions you have can be sent to MCCommencement@vcccd.edu.
 

I didn't realize I had to apply for my degree or certificate. What do I do now?

If you did not realize you needed to apply for your degree or certificate, it isn't too late! Students who believe they have met all the requirements for a degree or certificate program at Moorpark College should connect with an academic Counseling faculty or staff member in the Counseling Office to verify that all degree requirements have been met.

Counselors submit the grad petition on the student’s behalf, and the Admissions & Records Office will confer the degree once it has been verified that the student passed their remaining classes (assuming they need them to earn the degree/certificate).

Visit the "Drop-In" option on the MC Counseling webpage to meet with a Counseling representative.
 

Who do I contact with additional questions about Commencement?

Questions about the Commencement ceremony are best directed to MCCommencement@vcccd.edu.

Questions about diplomas or degree requirements are best directed to MC Counseling or Admissions & Records at MCAdmissions@vcccd.edu.

Class of 2025 graduates who plan to participate in the Commencement are required to wear a Moorpark College gown, cap and tassel (also referred to as regalia) in the ceremony. 

When and how to purchase regalia

Regalia packages will be available for purchase in the Moorpark College Bookstore beginning in April 2025. Purchasing regalia in person is the best option to confirm you get the right length and size robe. Visit the MC Bookstore website for information about hours and location. 

Do I qualify for a special stole, a medallion, or cords to wear with my Commencement regalia?

Various Moorpark College programs or organizations offer the students they serve a chance to identify their affiliation with their program or organization through custom stoles, medallions, and/or cords. These custom regalia items are not sold at the MC Bookstore but are rather coordinated through the campus programs or organizations themselves. We recommend reaching out to your main point of contact within the program or organization to inquire whether they give out custom regalia accessories and how you can request one.

Moorpark College's Commencement celebration will take place on Thursday, May 22 at 10:00 a.m. in Griffin Stadium (the college's football arena).

Arrival time:

Graduates who RSVP'd (refer to Step 2) may check in to the Graduate Check-in Area in Griffin Stadium beginning at 8:30 a.m. and should arrive to it no later than 9:30 a.m. The Graduate Check-in Area will be right next to the Stadium entrance. Please ask an Information Table attendant for assistance if you have trouble finding it. 

Please also note that it may take you up to 15 minutes to get from the parking areas into Griffin Stadium, so please plan accordingly.

Parking:

It is recommended that graduates park in the Parking Structure or one of its surrounding lots. The other closest parking areas will be the High School at Moorpark College lot (Lot-G1) and the Academic Center lot.

Attire:

Graduates should come to the ceremony wearing their cap and gown. They can wear whatever attire underneath it that they would be most comfortable in so long as it does not violate VCCCD student conducts of code.

• Graduates cannot wear spiked heeled shoes in the ceremony. Heeled shoes may cause students to fall on the turf and may be uncomfortable during the procession, which requires students to process the length of a football field. Students with spiked heels will be made to change into disposable flat sandals, as heeled shoes can puncture the stadium turf, causing unrepairable damage to it.
• Graduates should bring as little with them as possible. No backpacks, purses, or other large bags will be permitted in the graduate holding area. Students who arrive with these items will be asked to return them to their vehicles or ask their guests to hold on to them for the duration of the ceremony. Students usually only bring those things that they can carry in their pockets or hands, such as a cell phone, lip balm, car keys, or other small items. Graduates may not carry anything to the stage with them other than their name card. Moorpark College is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Name card for ceremony:

Students who purchase their regalia packages from the Moorpark College Bookstore receive a name reader card. This card is where the student will write their first and last name, as well as provide any directions on phonetic pronunciation (for example, if your last name is Kohler, you may write "Coal-er" to help someone pronounce it correctly).  View sample name reader card here.

Conduct expectations:

Moorpark College is proud of the efforts and achievements of all its graduates. Commencement is intended to be a festive occasion celebrating the accomplishments of our students and the culmination of years of hard work. However, it is also ceremonial, and in an effort to make this event a positive experience for everyone, all participants deserve safe, orderly, and dignified ceremonies. Any misconduct would be an unwelcome (and potentially punishable) disturbance.

Graduates, guests, and college employees are all expected to adhere to commencement conduct expectations.

Notice regarding photography:

This event will be photographed and/or recorded. By entering the ceremony site space, you agree to and grant irrevocable permission to have your likeness, image, voice, and appearance photographed and recorded for any college business-related purpose, whether recorded on or transferred to videotape, film, slides, photographs, audiotapes or other media, now known or later developed, and to be included in various college or district marketing, outreach, or news campaigns.

Students do not need to attend Commencement to receive their diplomas or certificates. Students do not receive their diplomas or certificates during the Commencement ceremony. Instead, students receive them by mail 8-12 weeks after their term of graduation ends.

How you can receive your diploma or certificate

Degrees and certificates of achievement will be mailed to an address of your choosing. You will receive diploma-related information via your Moorpark College MyVCCCD email approximately 8-12 weeks after your academic term of graduation. The email will come from diplomaorder@michaelsutter.com asking for confirmation of your diploma name and mailing address.

When you provide a mailing address, please don't forget to review your diploma name carefully! Please be advised, we cannot make changes to your diploma name after you have placed your order. 

Email MCAdmissions@vcccd.edu or call (805) 378-1429 with any questions.