Degrees are awarded each semester and recognized annually in the Commencement ceremony held at the end of the spring semester.  

To be qualified for graduation with an Associate or Nexus degree, candidates must meet the following requirements:

  • The completion of an approved academic program with a minimum of 60 semester hours. 
  • Minimum of 18 semester hours in the degree earned at GHC to satisfy residency requirement and to be eligible for honors. K credit does not count toward residence.  
  • A grade of "C"  or better in ENGL 1101 English Composition I and ENGL 1102 English Composition II.
  • For those following the 2023-2024 or later catalog, a grade of "C" or better in courses satisfying the Field of Study.
  • An institutional GPA of 2.0 or higher. 

  • The successful completion of coursework or passing examination on the history of the United States and the history of Georgia, and upon the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Georgia. https://www.usg.edu/curriculum/georgia_legislative_requirements.  Students in career programs can use HIST 1000 to satisfy this requirement.

  • Submission of a graduation application by the deadline on the academic calendar.

To be qualified for graduation with a Bachelor's degree, candidates must meet the following requirements:

  • The completion of an approved academic program with a minimum of 120 semester hours. 
  • Minimum of 30 semester hours in the degree earned at GHC to satisfy residency requirement and to be eligible for honors. K credit does not count toward residence.  
  • Minimum of 39 semester hours at the 3000-4000 level.
  • A grade of "C"  or better in ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102.
  • A grade of "C" or higher in all courses satisfying the Field of Study, major course requirements, and major electives.
  • An institutional GPA of 2.0 or higher. 

  • The successful completion of coursework or passing examination on the history of the United States and the history of Georgia, and upon the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Georgia. https://www.usg.edu/curriculum/georgia_legislative_requirements.  Students in career programs can use HIST 1000 to satisfy this requirement.

  • Submission of a graduation application by the deadline on the academic calendar.

Graduation with Honors

For graduation with honors a student must meet the minimum scholastic institutional grade point average requirement of 3.50. Students earning an institutional 3.50-3.69 GPA receive the designation cum laude; 3.70 to 3.89 receive the designation magna cum laude; students earning a 3.90-4.00 receive the designation summa cum laude. Grade point averages will not be rounded. The honors designation appears on the student’s diploma and transcript and remains on his/her permanent record.

Commencement Participation Policy

Graduates are encouraged to participate in the formal graduation exercises.  The following criteria must be met in order to participate:

  • Submit a graduation application by the deadline on the academic calendar.
  • Have a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Be in good academic and financial standing.
  • Not be in violation of any academic integrity policy or code of conduct.
  • Complete a Commencement RSVP by the deadline.

Students who will complete degree requirements the Summer immediately following the Spring semester in which Commencement is held may request to participate in commencement ceremonies on the following conditions:

  • Have a maximum of 6 semester hours outstanding
  • Submit a graduation application by the first day of March before the ceremony
  • Request a Summer graduate participation form from the Registrar’s Office
  • Submit the Summer graduate participation form by the first day of March before the ceremony

No degree will be awarded until all degree requirements are satisfied. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not certify completion of the degree.  Names of Summer graduates granted permission to participate in Spring Commencement will not appear in the Commencement program for the ceremony in which they participate and graduation with honors will not be determined for them until their degree is earned. Names will appear in the following year’s program.

Associate Degree You Deserve/Reverse Transfer

The Associate Degree You Deserve/Reverse Transfer program allows students who have earned a minimum of 18 hours in the degree at Georgia Highlands College to combine credits earned from all regionally accredited institutions and apply them toward an associate degree. Students do not have to be currently enrolled and there is no fee to petition for graduation. Visit GHC's website for more information and to complete the application.