Commencement information for graduates

Students must apply for their degree or certificate to receive an invitation to participate in the annual Commencement and to have their name included in the printed program. 

If you believe you are meeting all of the requirements to earn a degree or certificate from Moorpark College, consider submitting your grad petition application today! Speak with your counselor to confirm that you have met all the requirements necessary to earn a certificate and/or degree and therefore participate in Commencement. Visit the MC Counseling Office's Appointments page to connect with a counselor virtually or schedule an appointment with Starfish.

The Graduation & Certificate Petition deadline for fall 2023 is Thursday, November 9 at 12:00 p.m. noon. Students must submit their Petition by this date and time if they wish to have their degree or certificate conferred for fall 2023.

Please note that the Office of Student Life, which coordinates the Commencement event, does not determine students' eligibility for degrees or certificates. Students are advised to contact the Counseling Office for information on whether they have met all requirements for degree or certificate completion.

Graduates who wish to participate in the May 2024 Commencement will need to submit an RSVP. RSVP form and deadlines to reserve your spot will be made available in early spring semester 2024.

• Questions about the ceremony can be directed to MCCommencement@vcccd.edu
• Questions about degree completion requirements can be directed to MCAdmissions@vcccd.edu

A "Save the Date" message will be circulated to the MyVCCCD email accounts of all MC students who submit a 2023-2024 graduate petition form with the MC Counseling Office by the specified deadlines (see Step 1). Please check your MyVCCCD email for that message and for future emails with additional details beginning in spring semester 2024.

Graduates* (*students who submitted a grad petition with a Moorpark College counselor to certify that they met all degree or certificate requirements) will receive additional instructions and reminders leading up to the event via their MyVCCCD email . Please note that these messages sometimes are found in students' spam/junk folders, so be sure to check there if you don't see them in your inbox. 

When will I receive these updates?

Email communications will begin going out to eligible graduates in spring semester 2024. In the meantime, any questions you have can be sent to MCCommencement@vcccd.edu.

I didn't realize I had to apply for my degree or certificate. What do I do now?

If you did not realize you needed to apply for your degree or certificate, it isn't too late! Students who believe they have met all the requirements for a degree or certificate program at Moorpark College should meet with a Counselor (virtually) in the Counseling Office to verify that all degree requirements have been met.

Counselors submit the grad petition on the student’s behalf, and the Admissions & Records Office will confer the degree once it has been verified that the student passed their remaining classes (assuming they need them to earn the degree/certificate).

Visit the "Drop-In" option on the MC Counseling webpage to meet with a counselor.

Who do I contact with additional questions about Commencement?

Questions about the Commencement ceremony are best directed to MCCommencement@vcccd.edu.

Questions about diplomas or degree requirements are best directed to MC Counseling or Admissions & Records.

Class of 2024 graduates who plan to participate in the Commencement are required wear a Moorpark College gown, cap and tassel (also referred to as regalia) in the ceremony. 

Regalia packages will be available for purchase in the Moorpark College Bookstore beginning in April 2024. Purchasing regalia in person is the best option to confirm you get the right length and size robe. Visit the MC Bookstore website for information about hours and location. 

Moorpark College's Commencement celebration will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in Griffin Stadium (the college's football arena).

Arrival time:

Graduates who RSVP'd (see Step 2) may begin checking in to the Graduate Check-in Area in Griffin Stadium beginning at 3:30 p.m. and should arrive to it no later than 4:30 p.m. The Graduate Check-in Area will be right next to the Stadium entrance. Please ask an Information Table attendant for assistance if you have trouble finding it. 

Please also note that it may take you up to 15 minutes to walk from the parking area to the Stadium, so please plan accordingly.

Parking:

It is recommended that graduates park in the Parking Structure or one of its surrounding lots. The other closest parking areas will be the High School at Moorpark College lot (Lot-G1) and the Academic Center lot.

Attire:

Graduates should come to the ceremony wearing their robe. They can wear whatever attire underneath it. Graduates should not wear heeled shoes to the ceremony. Heeled shoes may cause students to fall on the turf and may be uncomfortable during the procession, which requires students to process the length of a football field.

Students do not need to attend Commencement to receive their diplomas or certificates. Students do not receive their diplomas or certificates during the Commencement ceremony but rather receive them from the Moorpark College Admissions and Records Office.  

If you completed your academic program at the end of last Summer or Fall and have not yet received your diploma or certificate, please check your MyVCCCD email for a message with the subject line ***Your Moorpark College Diploma(s)*** to find out how to request to have your degree or certificate mailed to you. 

Spring graduates will receive diploma-related information via their Moorpark College MyVCCCD email approximately 8-12 weeks after the academic term ends. This email will include instructions for how students can either pick up their diplomas in person from the Admissions & Records office, or information about how they can request to have it mailed to them via U.S. Postal Service.

Email MCAdmissions@vcccd.edu or call (805) 378-1429 with questions.