Graduation Application & Commencement

Congratulations on your degree or certificate!

If you are nearing completion of your program of study, you must apply to graduate!
All students must complete an application for graduation for the quarter in which they plan to complete all program requirements.

Step 1: Complete an application – Visit Self-Service and select “Graduation Overview” to submit a separate application for each degree or certificate that you anticipate receiving.

Step 2: Determine quarter of completion – Either current or next. Make sure to select the correct term on the application. Deadlines to submit applications are:

• If completing program requirements by May, you will submit application for Spring, by May 1st.
• If completing program requirements by November, you will submit application for Fall, by November 1st.
• If completing program requirements by August, you will submit application for Summer, by August 1st.
• If completing program requirements by February, you will submit application for Winter, by February 1st.

Important for Spring and summer graduates only: submit your application by April 1st if you want your name to appear in the Commencement Ceremony program.

Step 3: Complete all details – Select if you would like to participate in the annual Commencement Ceremony and fill in the information required for the ceremony.

Step 4: Check your entries and SUBMIT –Repeat the steps for each degree or certificate you are receiving. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to your MCC e-mail address.

Step 5: Application Review – Your graduation application will be under review until the end of the quarter you applied for. You and your advisor will be notified of any issues or missing requirements. You can access and update your information anytime (address, name, graduation term, etc.). If you have any questions, please contact your advisor or the Registrar's Office at 531-622-2353.

Degree confirmation – At MCC, degrees and certificates are awarded at the end of each quarter and denote the completion of a program of study.

Degree confirmation dates for 2025-26 academic year are:

• Fall (25/FA): November 25, 2025
• Winter (25/WI): March 3, 2026
• Spring (25/SP): June 1, 2026
• Summer (26/SS): September 1, 2026

Awards mailed – Degrees and certificates are mailed four-six weeks after the end of the quarter. Students who have an outstanding balance will receive their award(s) after the college financial obligations have been resolved.

Digital awards – Graduates receive an official digital diploma or certificate in addition to a printed version. This service is offered to Fall 2025 graduates and later and is typically delivered 4–6 weeks after conferral once all graduation requirements are verified, there are no outstanding financial obligations, and access is provided via the student’s MCC email address.

Transcripts show posted degrees/certificates – Transcripts ordered with the option ‘hold until degrees awarded’ will be released after degrees are conferred. If you are placing the order after the degree confirmation date, select the option “current transcript, as is.”

The College’s commencement ceremony is held annually to recognize students who have graduated or are projected to graduate in the current academic year (The ceremony is for graduates of the 2026-2027 academic year for the following quarters: 2026 Fall, 2026-27 Winter, 2026-27 Spring, and 2027 Summer.)

Participation in the ceremony is optional.

Graduates must arrive no later than 30 minutes before the ceremony to prepare to line-up.

MCC 2026-27 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 14, 2027.
Times: TBA
UNO Baxter Arena (2425 S. 67th St., Omaha, NE 68106)

Before the ceremony:

• Submit graduation application: See “Applying to Graduate” above. There is no separate application for ceremony participation. Summer Graduates are also celebrated at the ceremony. Please select the summer term when applying for graduation. This will not affect your eligibility to attend the ceremony.
• Purchase a cap and gown: Each graduating participant must arrive at the ceremony wearing a black, college-approved cap and gown with a blue tassel. Caps and gowns will NOT be available for purchase at the venue.
  • You can place your cap and gown order using the following online form link: Cap & Gown Regalia
    The online form allows you to choose one of the following options to receive your cap and gown:
    1. Ship directly to your home
    2. Pick up at the South or Fort Omaha bookstores
    *** Please use your MCC student email address when ordering, as this information is your final registration for your attendance at the ceremony.
    
    Please note the shipping deadline if choosing the shipping option. Orders must be placed by May 7^th to ensure your cap and gown arrives on time. After May 7^th, all cap and gown purchases must be made at the South Omaha bookstore.
    
    If you are unable to use the online form, please visit the South or Fort Omaha bookstore for assistance. Staff can help accommodate in-store purchases.
    
    Jewelry is also available at Metropolitan Community College OMAHA, NE - College Rings | Jostens
     
• Cap & Gown Graduation Event - TBA
  Graduates will have the opportunity to purchase their cap and gown. All students and faculty are invited to attend and will be eligible to receive promotions and giveaways.
• Commencement Program: All graduates who submitted the graduation application by April 1st will have their name listed in the Commencement Program. If you applied after April 1st, your name will not be listed but you may still participate in the ceremony.

If you need to change your ceremony time:

• Access your graduation application in Self-Service, select a different time and SAVE; then
• Email commencement@mccneb.edu

If you need to update other information for the ceremony:

• Access your graduation application in Self-Service, update information and SAVE.
• Email commencement@mccneb.edu and/or registrarsoffice@mccneb.edu

Accessibility requests for graduates: Please reach out to Disability Support Services Counselor, Lisa Fleming Haile, at lrfleminghaile@mccneb.edu or call 531-622-1416 by Monday, May 10^th to inform us if you are a graduate who needs a disability-related accommodations.

Accessibility requests for guests: Guests needing accommodations, please contact Baxter Arena and read more about Baxter Arena's Accessibility Accommodations.

Baxter Arena is enforcing a Clear Bag Policy. Please review all details in FAQs below to ensure your bag is compliant.

The next MCC Commencement will take place:

Friday, May 14, 2027
Commencement begins at: TBA
Baxter Arena Omaha
2425 S. 67th St.

• Graduates assemble TBA
  • Assembly time depends on the selected ceremony time

Day of the ceremony

• Enter via the main entrance.
• You should arrive wearing your black cap, gown and tassel.
  • Assemble in the Community Ice Arena: TBA
• Wear the tassel over the right front of the cap.
• Report to the check-in tables to pick up your name card. Tables are organized alphabetically by last name
• If you are graduating with honors, you will receive your medallion with your name card.
• If you are a veteran, active or reserve military, you will receive a military service cord with your name card.
• If your name is pronounced differently than it is spelled, or if you wish to have your name pronounced a certain way when you receive your award, readers will be available to clarify pronunciation.
• Take your name card, and staff will direct you to the line-up area.
• Listen for instructions to begin lining up (approximately 30 minutes before ceremony start time).
• Leave coats, purses and other personal items with your guests or family members. The College is not responsible for personal items left in the line-up area during the ceremony. Graduates will not return to the line-up area after the ceremony.
• If you require doctor-prescribed medications such as insulin or an inhaler, please bring those items with you.
• If you arrive after (approximately 30 minutes before ceremony start time), you may not be able to participate in the ceremony.

During the ceremony

• Men should remove their caps during the national anthem.
• At the appropriate time in the ceremony, the candidates for the certificates and degrees will be asked to stand.
  • The candidates will be presented to the College president, and the awards will be conferred. The College president will announce when to move your tassel to the left.
• Once awards are conferred, candidates will be directed to the stage by associate marshals. Proceed up the ramp and hand your name card to one of the readers.
• When your name is called, proceed across the stage where you will receive a handshake and your diploma cover from the College president and Board of Governors representative.
• You will then proceed across the stage and down the ramp to have your individual photograph taken. When the photo is finished, return to your seat as directed by the associate marshals. Remain standing until everyone in your row returns.
• The ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes.
  • As a courtesy, you must remain for the entire ceremony. During the recessional, you will walk out with the marshals and fellow graduates.

After the ceremony

• The cap, gown and tassel are yours to keep.
• All marching graduates will be ushered to the main lobby to exit following the ceremony. Graduates will NOT return to the staging area.

Rules of courtesy

• As a courtesy to all graduates and guests, you are expected to remain and participate in the entire ceremony.
• Cell phones and other electronic devices must be shut off and not used until after the ceremony.
• Your cooperation is appreciated as we strive to make the ceremony special for all in attendance.

Awards

• Commencement Ceremony participants will be identified in the printed programs as certificate or degree candidates whose graduation is contingent upon successful completion of academic requirements. Fall and winter 2025-26 certificate and degree graduates have already received their awards. Spring and summer 2025-26 graduate awards will be mailed four to six weeks after the end of that quarter.

Photography

• You will be photographed by a professional photographer as you receive your award on stage and when you exit the stage. Photo proofs will be available online at ceremonyphotos.com approximately 10 days after the ceremony.

Disability Accommodations

• Graduates: Reach out to Disability Support Services counselor Lisa Fleming Haile at lrfleminghaile@mccneb.edu or call 531-622-1416 by Monday, May 11, to inform us if you are a graduate who needs a disability-related accommodation
• Guests: Contact Baxter Arena at info@baxterarena.com. Visit baxterarena.com/Accessibility for more information about Baxter Arena’s accessibility accommodations.

Information for guests of the graduates

• Baxter Arena Omaha is located at 2425 S. 67th St.
• Upon arrival, family members and guests should enter Baxter Arena’s main entrance.
• Parking is free.
• ADA parking is available in parking lots. All spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Inside, there are elevators, and staff will direct guests to ADA seating located within general public seating inside the arena.
• A professional photographer will photograph each graduate as they receive their award on stage
• The public is not allowed on the main floor of the arena at any time during the ceremony.
• The ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes. In consideration of the audience and the significance of this event, audience members are to refrain from leaving their seats or exiting prior to the close of the ceremony.
• Graduates will march out as a group with the marshals. You may join them in the main lobby after the ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony questions
Visit mccneb.edu/Graduation, call 531-MCC-2353 or email registrarsoffice@mccneb.edu

Tips to remember

• Leave coats, purses and other personal items with your guests or family members.
• Follow the directions of the associate marshals throughout the ceremony and listen to directions from the speakers.
• Men should remove their caps during the national anthem.
• Start with your tassel on the right.
• Follow the person in front of you in line.
• Do not lose your name card.
• Take your diploma with your left hand,
• and shake with your right hand.
• Smile for your photograph.
• Enjoy the day and your accomplishment

Baxter Arena is enforcing a Clear Bag Policy. Please note the following and share with your guests:

• A bag taken to the Baxter Arena must be a transparent plastic, vinyl or PVC tote.
• Bags must be no larger than 12 inches tall, by 12 inches long, by 6 inches wide.
• Only exception: Small, clutch-sized purses/wallets not exceeding 4.5 inches tall by 6.5 inches long are allowed after proper security screening.

Congratulations, MCC alumni!

As a new graduate, you are now a member of the Friends and Alumni Network (FANs).
FANs connects alumni through academic, career and community activities. Staying connected to MCC allows you access to:

• Job announcements on NEworks and Recruit MCC
• Career navigator services
• Volunteer opportunities
• MCC cultural and community events
• MCC library services
• Networking events with other MCC alumni

For more information about MCC FANs, visit mccneb.edu/FANS, or contact the Friends and Alumni Network at 531-MCC-2346 or mccalumni@mccneb.edu.

View the 2026 Commencement Ceremony Program here.

You worked hard to earn your degree — now showcase your achievement with a handcrafted Metropolitan Community College diploma frame. Featuring college colors and a gold embossed medallion, each frame is designed to preserve and display this important milestone for years to come.

Choose from a variety of customizable options for frame moulding, matting and glass to create a look that fits your style. Frames available for associate degrees, certificates of achievement and career certificates. Each purchase also includes framing and hanging instructions, making it easy to display your diploma at home or in the workplace.

Visit diplomaframe.com/MCCframe to order your frame today.

• Can I watch the ceremony on live stream?
  Yes. The live Stream links will be available the week of the ceremony.

• How can I purchase the ceremony pictures?
  A professional photographer will be there to document the ceremonies. Photos can be purchased through Ceremony Photos who will activate photo proof availability after each ceremony.

• When is the next ceremony?
  2026-27 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 14th, 2027. We will have 2 ceremonies.The times will be announced soon. The ceremony is for graduates of the 2026-2027 academic year for the following quarters: 2026 Fall, 2026-27 Winter, 2026-27 Spring and 2027 Summer.

• How do I change the time of the ceremony I will be attending?
  Update your time directly on the graduation application page and SAVE. You can also e-mail commencement@mccneb.edu including your name, student ID number and the time of the ceremony you wish to attend.

• Do I need to register to walk?
  Yes. You are registered once you have submitted the graduation application and purchased your cap and gown from the bookstore on one of the main campuses (Fort and South).

• How do I order my cap and gown?
  No advanced orders are required for cap and gown. Information regarding cap, gown, and tassel purchase will be available in March 2027.

• Can I buy my cap and gown at Baxter arena on the day of the ceremony?
  Caps and gowns WILL NOT be available for pick up or purchase at the arena.

• Can I decorate my cap?
  Yes, if it is tastefully done and contained to the top of the cap.

• What can honor society members wear?
  Members of Alpha Delta Omega, Kappa Beta Delta, National Technical Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa are eligible to wear the pin, sash/stole or medallion and tassel of their honor society. Contact your honor society chapter for information on ordering. See the MCC Organizations space in myHub for additional information.

• How will I know if I graduate with Honors?
  To graduate with honors, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above (degrees and certificates of achievement only). Honor graduates will receive a gold honors medallion to wear during the ceremony. The medallions will be available for pick up at the ceremony check-in at the arena the day of the event.

• How do I confirm the pronunciation of my name?
  Complete the name pronunciation field on the graduation application. If you have already submitted the application and did not provide this information, please e-mail the Registrar's Officethe phonetic spelling of your name with your phone number. A reader will contact you to verify pronunciation, if needed. 

• Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?
  You will receive a diploma cover when you cross the stage. Diplomas and certificates for each quarter are mailed after the end of the quarter the student is graduating from. For example, if a student has applied for graduation during the fall quarter, their diploma is mailed after fall quarter.

• Where should my family, friends, and I park?
  Please refer to the Baxter Arena parking map and utilize the street entrances suggested. It is highly recommended that you give yourself plenty of time to arrive and park.

• Do I need tickets for my guests?
  Tickets are not needed. There is no limit to the number of guests and there is open seating.

• Will my family be able to take pictures?
  Professional photographers will take pictures of the graduates as they receive their awards. Friends and family are not allowed onto the processional floor, and they can take pictures from the seats. Additional personal photos may be taken outside of the main arena floor.

• When do I arrive for the ceremony?
  • TBA

• What do I do on the day of the ceremony?
  1. Enter via the main entrance. You will be directed down the side hallway.
  2. Wear your gown, cap, and tassel. Wear the tassel over the right front of the cap.
  3. Once seated, graduates will remain in their seats until the end of the ceremony.
  4. When your name is called, the graduate will walk across the stage to a marked spot, stop and turn to the audience/photographer, then exit the stage.
  5. A second photograph will be taken off-stage.
  6. Graduates will then return to their seats until the end of the ceremony.
  7. After the ceremony graduates will be led directly to the exit.

• Can I bring personal items with me to the ceremony?
  Leave coats, purses and other personal items with your guests or family members. The graduates WILL NOT be returning to the pre-ceremony staging area.  If you require medications, please bring those items with you.

• What is the Clear Bag Policy?
  Baxter Arena is enforcing a Clear Bag Policy. Please note the following and share with your guests:
  • A bag taken to the Baxter Arena must be a transparent plastic, vinyl or PVC tote.
  • Bags must be no larger than 12 inches tall, by 12 inches long, by 6 inches wide.
  • Only exception: Small, clutch-sized purses/wallets not exceeding 4.5 inches tall by 6.5 inches long are allowed after proper security screening.

For further information about the commencement ceremony: contact the Registrar's Office or call 531-MCC-2353.

For GED graduation ceremony information: contact Adult Basic Education, 531-MCC-2312