Graduation
Attending Commencement (Graduation Ceremony)
You have completed all your coursework, and now you are ready to graduate and walk across the stage! Follow these steps and we will see you in May at Memorial Stadium.
- meet your graduation requirements
- submit your graduation petition (a.k.a. file for graduation)
- attend Commencement
Graduation Filing Periods:
- Fall Semester (April 1 - End Semester)
- Spring Semester (Aug 1 - End of Semester)
- Summer Semester (Nov 1 - End of Semester)
Step 1: Meet Graduation General Requirements
You began your educational journey with a CSEP that planned the required courses for your program with a counselor. The CSEP incorporated the Associate Degree Guidelines or the Bachelor's Degree requirements.
Are You Ready to Graduate?
If you are not sure that you completed the requirements to graduate and have not yet submitted your graduation petition, meet with your pathway counselor or advisor.
Step 2: Submit Your Graduation Petition
- Download and complete the Graduation Petition.
- Check your transcript totals through InsideBC. For help, look at the step-by-step directions of How to Check Your Transcript Totals.
- Submit your graduation petition via your BC Student Email Address to bcrecords@kccd.edu. We will not accept the petition via any personal email accounts.
Petition Notes
You must have submitted your petition by April 1 to ensure your name is included in the Commencement Program.
Your petition may not have been processed yet. There is a team working hard behind the scenes to accurately check every petition. There are many petitions, and this may take a little time.
Transfer Credit/Units
If you have units/credits from another regionally accredited institution/college, you must submit official transcripts from these colleges before the semester is over OR when you see your final grades posted from that college.
- Indicate on the Graduation Petition that you have transfer credit/units in order for your evaluator to be aware of these units.
- Fill out the Request for Evaluation form every time you submit Official Transcripts to Bakersfield College Admissions and Records within 30 days.
- Submit the Request for Evaluation form ONLY from your BC student email address to bcrecords@kccd.edu.
When Will You Get Your Diploma?
Printed diplomas are mailed to graduates approximately twelve (12) weeks after the close of the semester in which the student applied to earn their degree. For example, if you applied to earn your degree in Spring, your diploma will be mailed out 12 weeks after the semester is over in May.
All our associate and bachelor degrees shall be conferred by the Board of Trustees of the Kern Community College District upon a Bakersfield College student who has satisfactorily completed the requirements. These requirements are consistent with those prescribed by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Board of Trustees of the Kern Community College District.
Students or alumni can request verifiable digital and printed credentials including transcripts, certificates, proof of enrollment, proof of degree, and diplomas via Certree. Please sign in or sign up for an Individual account on Certree and follow the instructions to retrieve your documents.
Step 3: RSVP to Commencement
The graduation ceremony where you walk across the stage to signify your graduation is called commencement. Commencement ceremonies are held once each year in May.
Students who complete their degree requirements during the fall, summer, or spring prior to the ceremony or who will complete them in the following summer, are eligible to participate.
Eligibility to participate in the 2025 Commencement:
- Graduated Summer 2024
- Graduated Fall 2024
- Submitted a graduation petition for Spring 2025
- Submitted a graduation petition for Summer 2025
You are not required to attend commencement in order to graduate. However, diploma covers are only given to graduates at commencement. The diploma covers are NOT available for purchase. Attending commencement is the only way to get a diploma cover.
Graduates are required to stay the entire commencement.
Email questions regarding graduation to bcrecords@kccd.edu using your Bakersfield College student email account and include your STUDENT ID number. We will not respond to personal email accounts for security reasons.
Step 4: Order Your Graduation Gear
Caps and Gowns
Regalia, your graduation attire: cap, gown, sash and tassel, can be purchased in the Bakersfield College Bookstore, located on the Main campus, or at the online Bookstore. Regalia can be purchased in a package or separately if you already have some parts.
The information above is for future graduates. Grad Fair is usually held at the end of March or beginning of April. A schedule will be posted closer to the event dates.
Commencement Photographs
Schedule an appointment for your sitting with the commencement photographer at the Grad Fair to take pictures of you in your cap and gown.
To schedule an appointment for portraits:
- Schedule your appointment
- Click "Schedule Your Sitting"
- Click "Cap and Gown"
- Select Bakersfield College, and the time and date that works best for you
A professional photographer will be at commencement and the photos will be released on our website.
Make sure to follow the directions for the facial recognition at the end of the RSVP.
Step 5: Attend Commencement
Students
Students must check-in 2 hours before commencement begins.
When you check in, you will receive your name card and will be asked to take a photo for facial recognition. This card is important and cannot be replaced. Once you receive your name card, you will need to verify your name as you would like it read aloud.
Next, you will stand in line for the student processional, which begins around 30 minutes before the ceremony begins. Once graduates have entered the check-in area, they will not be able to leave. All graduates must remain seated during the commencement ceremony.
Coordinate a place and time to meet your guests after the ceremony that does not inhibit the flow of graduates or guests at venue entrances/exits.
Wear flat shoes. High heels/spiked shoes are not allowed due to safety concerns. If you wear high heels or spiked shoes, you will not be allowed to participate.
Decorum
While it is customary for graduates to enjoy and celebrate with their peers, graduates must adhere to the Standards of Student Conduct and maintain professionalism. As a reminder, leave these items at home:
Prohibited Items
- alcohol/drugs/tobacco (including e-cigarettes)
- outside food/bottles and cans (clear water bottles allowed)
- camera tripods/selfie sticks
- firearms/weapons/fireworks
Guests
- Gates typically open one and a half hours before the ceremony begins.
- Bakersfield College is a tobacco-free campus (includes e-cigarettes).
- Guests are not permitted on or in the front of the stage to take photographs or video.
- For the safety of your pets and all guests, please leave your pets at home. Only service animals are permitted on campus during commencement.
- Please leave these items at home:
- alcohol/drugs/tobacco (including e-cigarettes)
- outside food/bottles and cans (clear water bottles allowed)
- camera tripods/selfie sticks
- firearms/weapons/fireworks
More information about commencement, prohibited items, and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the Commencement webpage.
