Class of 2022 enters stadium as commencement begins and female graduate waves to her family.

Taft College Graduation

Graduation Requirements, Procedures, and Deadlines

Units in Residence Requirement

Of the 60 units required for graduation, 12-degree applicable units must be completed in residence at Taft College and used toward the degree, before a degree can be granted.

Application for Graduation

Degrees and certificates are not automatically awarded. Candidates for graduation must initiate a petition for graduation; they are not required to meet with a counselor to apply. Students should submit a candidacy for graduation form by the established deadline of the semester in which they plan to complete the requirements.

Commencement Exercises

Degrees and certificates are acknowledged at the May commencement exercises only; all students receiving degrees or certificates are encouraged to participate.

See information below regarding the next scheduled Commencement Ceremony.

Scholastic Honors

Scholastic Honors at graduation are granted to those who meet the Associate Degree requirements and earn a cumulative grade point average of between 3.00 and 3.49. Students who earn a GPA of 3.50 or above will be awarded Highest Scholastic Honors.

Life membership awards in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the community college scholastic honor society, are made according to standards prescribed in the constitution governing all PTK chapters in California.

See Requirements for Associate Degrees and Certificates

2024 Taft College Commencement Ceremony

On May 17, 2024, Taft College will be conducting an in-person commencement ceremony at the Martin Memorial Stadium at Taft Union High School to honor our 2023-2024 graduates. All Taft College confirmed graduate candidates from Fall 2023, Spring and Summer 2024 are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony. See details of the ceremony and a timeline of events.

To apply for graduation:

  • Turn in a completed Student Candidacy for Graduation application to the Office of Academic Records by emailing your application to tcgradapps@taftcollege.edu. Application must be completed in full and signed (by student). If you are planning to transfer, it is strongly recommended that you consult with your counselor. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Academic Records at (661) 763-7756.

OR

  • Schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor or advisor to complete the Student Candidacy for Graduation application together. To schedule a counseling appointment, please call (661) 763-7748.

Other valuable resources:

AA/AS or AA-T/AS-T Degrees and or Certificates

  • Local Degrees: Associate in Arts (AA) & Associate in Science (AS).
  • Transfer Degrees: Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) & Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T).
  • Chancellor’s Office approved Certificates: Certificate of Achievement (CA).
  • Local approved Certificates: Certificate of Completion (CC).

Please note: This type of certificate will not appear on your academic records.
Please refer to the Student Candidacy for Graduation for a complete list of major codes.

Graduation Application Deadlines

For students applying for any award, you must submit your candidacy for graduation to Taft College by the following application period: 

  • Fall Graduation – Accepting applications fromAugust 21st through December 15th. Fall applications submitted after October 30th will not be ADT verified.
  • Spring Graduation – Accepting applications from January 16th through May 16th. Spring applications submitted after March 15th will not be ADT verified. Spring applications submitted after April 19th will not be included in the May 17, 2024, graduation program.
  • Summer Graduation – Accepting applications from January 16th through August 15th. Summer applications submitted after April 19th will not be included in the May 17, 2024, graduation program.

Information to know if applying for an AA-T or AS-T

SB 1440 – Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act

The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (STAR) enables the California Community Colleges and California State University to collaborate on the creation of Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degree programs for transfer. These AA-T and AS-T degrees allow students to complete an Associate degree and satisfy lower division general education and major requirements for transfer at the same time.

When applying to a California State University (CSU) campus for fall admission, students must complete the CSU admissions application between October 1 and November 30 of the year prior to transfer. Students must indicate on the CSU admission application the particular AA-T or AS-T being awarded by the California Community College and the date the degree will be complete. Students must apply for the AA-T or AS-T at Taft College no later than the Spring semester prior to transferring.

When applying to CSU for spring admission, students must complete the CSU admissions application between August 1 and August 30 of the year prior to transfer. Students must indicate on the CSU admission application the particular AA-T or AS-T being awarded by the California Community College and the date the degree will be complete. Students must apply for the AA-T or AS-T at Taft College no later than the Fall semester prior to transferring.

This information is subject to change. Updates are made as new information is released.