Graduation

Applying for Graduation

Download: Graduation Application

Graduation Requirements

To receive a degree or certificate from East Central College, students must satisfactorily complete the prescribed course requirements for a degree or certificate program as specified in the catalog or other current, East Central College document. Students planning to graduate should:

  • Achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on all college-level credit earned (Certain programs may require a higher GPA).
  • Complete at least 15  hours of college-level credit through East Central College.
  • Submit an Application for Graduation, available from the Office of the Registrar or the College website, or apply for graduation via MyECC > Self Service.
  • Complete an exit examination as specified by the College for the degree or certificate earned.
  • Settle all financial obligations to East Central College.
  • If not already on file, provide official high school transcript or G.E.D certificate.

Commencement Ceremony Information

East Central College’s 55th Annual Commencement Ceremony will take place May 17th, 2025 at Noon in the gymnasium of the Donald Shook Student Center on the Union campus.

RSVP for Guest Tickets

Graduates and candidates for graduation must RSVP for the ceremony and guest tickets here by April 18th.

Rehearsal

Commencement Rehearsal will be Friday morning, May 16th at 11:00am. Check-in will take place in the Library/Learning Center in Buescher Hall in Union. Graduates will line up and run through the processional, abbreviated ceremony, and recessional. It should take approximately 30-45 minutes in its entirety. The commencement rehearsal is optional but recommended.

Ceremony

The 55th Commencement at East Central College will be held Saturday, May 17th, 2025 at 12pm. The ceremony will take place in the gymnasium located on the second floor of the Donald Shook Student Center (DSSC) in Union.

Graduates will line up in the Library/Learning Center in Buescher Hall by 11am. Please leave valuables with your guests.

Caps and Gown Orders

Caps and gowns can be ordered at Herff Jones. Orders are now available for pick up! The Bookstore can be reached at 636-584-6737. Payment is due at pick up.

Rolla students can request to have their regalia sent to the Rolla site by contacting the Bookstore. Graduates are always welcome to borrow regalia from previous ECC graduates.

Tassels are to be worn on the right side of the cap. Caps are to be worn flat on the head and may be decorated as long as the decorations and messages are not distracting. As soon as you purchase regalia, take it out of the packaging, check the size, and hang it up to remove wrinkles. If you must iron the gown, be sure to use the lowest or cool setting, or it will melt the fabric.

Guests

Graduates and candidates for graduation must RSVP for the ceremony and guest tickets here by April 18th. Doors will open to the gymnasium in the Donald Shook Student Center at 11:00 a.m. Seating in the gymnasium is ticketed. Guests without tickets will be invited to overflow seating with live-streaming in the cafeteria on the first floor of the Donald Shook Student Center, the reception tent just outside the Donald Shook building, and inside the ECC Theatre.

There will be golf carts picking up guests in parking lots to take them to Donald Shook Student Center. Wheelchairs will also be available for use. Seats will be reserved on the floor of the gymnasium for guests with mobility needs. Graduates will reserve these seats at the time they request their tickets.

Graduates Needing Accessibility Arrangements

Graduates should inform the Graduation office by calling 636-584-6579 no later than April 18th, to make any accessibility arrangements for the graduate needed during the commencement ceremony.

Phi Theta Kappa Members

PTK members who would like to have a gold tassel and/or stole to wear at commencement, and have not completed the chapter’s 5-Star Member program requirements have 2 options:

  1. Order from PTK headquarters. PTK members will need their member ID number to order online. The PTK ID cards were sent with the membership certificate. (Debit or credit card will be required to order online.)
  2. You may also contact Kevin Dixon, chapter advisor, who has a limited supply of each available for purchase on a first-come/first-served basis.  You must contact Mr. Dixon at kevin.dixon@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6631 to reserve yours.

Service Members

Veterans and active duty/reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces will be presented with a red, white, and blue cord to wear if they attend the ceremony. The cords will be given to the graduate during the processional lineup just prior to the ceremony.

Graduation Photos

Professional photos will be taken at the ceremony and will be available for purchase through Grad Images.

Ceremony Questions

Email grad@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6579 regarding any ceremony questions you may have about the commencement ceremony.

Transcripts and Diplomas

Transcripts and Diplomas

Final grades will be posted the week following final exams. Graduates will be notified via email when degrees/certificates have been posted.

Transcripts

When requesting transcripts, be sure to select the option to have your transcript sent after your degree or certificate has been posted or wait until you receive your graduate notification email from the Registrar’s Office.

Diplomas

Graduates will be notified via email when their diploma is available for pick up. Diplomas that are not picked up will be mailed out after three weeks.

Questions?

Please contact the Graduation Office if you have any questions at 636-584-6579 or grad@eastcentral.edu.

Graduates will be notified via email when their degree is processed and transcripts are available. Diplomas will be available approximately 3-4 weeks after degrees and certificates are posted.

Transcripts can be ordered anytime online.

Please click on the Commencement Ceremony Information tab above for more information about the ceremony.