Meeting Graduation Requirements
It is the responsibility of the student to know and to observe the requirements of the curriculum and the rules governing academic work. Although the advisor will atempt to help the student make wise decisions, the final responsibility for meeting requirements for graduation rests with the student. At the request of the student, the Registrar will provide an official degree audit to ensure all graduation requirements will have been met by the time the student plans to graduate.
Continuous Enrollment Policy
Graduation requirements in effect at the time of a student’s initial enrollment will remain in effect as long as the student is continuously enrolled at Iowa Western Community College. Continuous enrollment is defined as consecutive fall and spring terms, and is subject to a five-year limitation. If changes occur in graduation requirements subsequent to initial enrollment, the student may elect to graduate under the most recent requirements. A student must satisfy the most recent requirements if a break in enrollment in the College for two or more consecutive semesters occurs. Students who elect to change their major must satisfy requirements in effect at the time of the change.
Dual Degrees/Multiple Degrees
A student who has met the requirements for an Associate’s degree at Iowa Western Community College must complete a minimum of eighteen additional semester hours at Iowa Western Community College for a second Associate’s degree and an additional eighteen semester hours for each successive Associate’s degree. The student must meet all degree requirements as specified by each program. The student must submit a new Application for Graduation for each degree, even when the student wishes to have them conferred at the same time.
Honorary Degree
The purpose of the Honorary Associate’s degree is to recognize individuals in the community who have distinguished themselves through their professional careers or who have made an outstanding contribution to the college or the community. Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals in the following categories:
- Alumni who have achieved significant success in their personal and public lives;
- Individuals from within the college’s service area who have contributed significantly to the progress and development of the college; and
- Citizens who have contributed significantly to the progress and development of Iowa Western Community College.
Individuals are not eligible for this award if they are currently employed by the college or serving on the Board of Trustees. A separation from such employment or service of at least two years is a prerequisite for eligibility. Recommendations for such honorary degrees shall be made to the President and approval granted by the President and his Cabinet prior to the award being made.
Graduation Application and Automatic Graduation
Students who plan to earn a degree, diploma, or certificate should submit a graduation application at the beginning of the term in which they plan to complete all requirements. At the conclusion of the fall, spring and summer terms, as well as the winter interim session, the Records and Registration Office will verify final grades, and then students who have completed graduation requirements for their program of study will be marked as graduates on their official transcript. Students who do not meet all requirements for graduation will be promptly notified by the Records and Registration Office, at which time a new course of action for degree attainment will be recommended.
In addition, at the conclusion of the fall, spring and summer terms, as well as the winter interim session, the Records and Registration Office will identify students who have met graduation requirements for a degree, diploma and/or certificate, and will automatically graduate such students, even though no application for graduation was submitted and regardless of the major on file. These students will be marked as graduates on their official transcript, and they will be notified of their respective award.
Commencement
Iowa Western Community College conducts three commencement ceremonies at the Council Bluffs campus each year. One fall ceremony is held in December, and two spring ceremonies are held in May.
Although voluntary, participation is strongly encouraged. In order to participate, students must indicate their intention to participate by getting measured for the cap and gown to wear at the ceremony. Participation will be limited to students whose degree audits indicate that all graduation requirements are either “complete” or “in progress”. Participation does not guarantee that students will officially graduate, as final grades are not verified and final audits are not conducted until after the ceremony.
Diplomas
Diplomas are mailed to the student’s address on file within six weeks of the conclusion of the term in which students graduate, after final grades are recorded and the Registrar has verified that all requirements for graduation have been satisfied. Diplomas are not presented at the commencement ceremony. All financial obligations to the college must be met before the college will release a student’s diploma. A student may order a replacement diploma by notifying the Records and Registration Office; the cost for the replacement shall be the student’s responsibility and it must be paid before a replacement will be ordered.
Graduation with Honors
Any graduate who has attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.5-3.69 shall be graduated with “Honors.” A graduate who has attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.7-3.89 shall be graduated with “High Honors.” Graduates who have attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 or above shall be graduated with “Highest Honors.” Honors will be recognized on the official academic transcript.
Graduation Requirements
Iowa Western Community College is authorized by the State of Iowa to grant the following degrees, diplomas, and certificates upon satisfactory completion of a specific curriculum or degree program.
Associate of Arts (in effect Fall 2024)
Associate of Science (in effect Fall 2024)
Associate of General Studies (in effect Fall 2024)
Associate of Applied Science (in effect Fall 2024)
Diploma (in effect Fall 2024)
Certificate (in effect Fall 2024)
Diversity Requirement
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