Commencement

Graduating with an Associates Degree:

1. Complete the Application for Graduation online through the my.worwic.edu. For assistance, please read Applying for Graduation through Self-Service.
2. Have at least 60 credit hours with a “C” (2.00) grade point average or better.
3. Have a minimum of 15 credits completed at Wor-Wic.
4. Have at least 18 credits in general education courses for an associate of applied science degree and 28 credits for an associate of arts, associate of science degree or associate of arts in teaching.
5. Have at least 24 credits directly related to the occupation in vocational and technical programs.
6. Complete the general education competency assessment (unless exempt). Register for the General Education Assessment online.
7. Resolve all financial obligations to the college

Graduating with a Certificate of Proficiency:

1. Complete the Application for Graduation online through the my.worwic.edu. For assistance, please read Applying for Graduation through Self-Service.
2. Complete the specific program requirements.
3. Earn a “C” (2.00) grade point average or better.
4. Have a minimum of 25 percent of the required courses completed at Wor-Wic.

* All Certificates and Degrees will be mailed approximately eight weeks following Commencement.

1. All graduates must wear academic apparel which consists of: the mortarboard (cap), gown, and tassel. Students may also wear any honor apparel such as an honor cord or stole. 
2. Academic apparel can be purchased from the campus bookstore. All graduating students must schedule an appointment with the bookstore manager in order to purchase their regalia. To schedule an appointment, please submit an email to jfrank@worwic.edu. Students should not go to the bookstore without having received a confirmation of their appointment date and time.
3. Veterans and military graduates: The applicable military stole (USA, USMC, USN, USAF, USCG) can be obtained from Fred Howard in veterans services by emailing him at fhoward@worwic.edu.
4. Phi Theta Kappa graduates can wear honor regalia in addition to a cap and gown. Members should contact Dr. Dana Burnside at dburnside@worwic.edu or Amanda Messatzzia at amessatzzia@worwic.edu.

The following is an example of appropriate clothing to wear with your academic apparel:

1. Men: solid color dress shirts, dark neckties, dark trousers, black shoes and socks.
2. Women: skirt or dress with comfortable dress shoes. Stilettos are not recommended.

The following should not be worn:

1. Jeans, t-shirts, shorts, flip flops, costume jewelry, corsages or political symbols.

Personal Items

Please leave all personal items (cell phones, purses, bouquets, etc.) with a trusted family member or friend. There are no storage areas available and Wor-Wic personnel cannot hold personal items.

Announcements were mailed to all graduating students in May. Any graduating student who would like additional announcements or who did not receive announcements during the first mailing should email chandy@worwic.edu with their name, student ID number and mailing address.

Graduates will be allowed to have two guests attend the commencement ceremony. Each graduating student who indicates that they are planning to participate will receive two tickets to provide to their guests. The guests must surrender their tickets upon their arrival. Due to social distancing protocol, all guests will be escorted to their seats. Seating is on an arranged first-come, first-served basis. Staff will make every effort to seat the graduate's two guests together, but this cannot be guaranteed. ADA seating will be available for guests and graduates. ADA seating must be arranged in advance.

1. While a spirit of joy and enthusiasm is encouraged, commencement is a formal academic event. Students and guests are expected to maintain a measure of decorum consistent with the stately nature of commencement.
2. The ceremony will last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
3. Graduates are expected to return to their seats after receiving their diploma cover and to remain seated for the rest of the program. Graduates will not be permitted to leave after they’ve received their diplomas. Guests are expected to remain seated for the entire ceremony and refrain from leaving their seats to take pictures or to talk to the graduates.
4. Students and guests who elect to participate are expected to respect the rights of others and to observe the following guidelines:
   • Guests and students should comply with any requests made by Wor-Wic commencement volunteers and Civic Center event staff.
   • All electronic devices should be turned off.
   • Noise-makers, banners and posters are prohibited as are objects, such as balloons, flowers and stuffed animals, that would detract from the formality of the event. Participants and guests will not be allowed to bring these items into the venue.
   • All aisles must remain clear throughout the ceremony.
   • Applause should be held until all students have received their diplomas. Names will be read quickly, and it is important that every family hear their graduate’s name.
   • Neither Wor-Wic nor the Civic Center will be held liable if a child is injured because of inappropriate or disruptive behavior.
   • All graduates are requested to refrain from inappropriately celebrating (e.g., dancing on stage, calling out the names of others, loud, offensive noises and gestures) during the ceremony.
   • Candidates should NOT have personal belongings in their possession during the ceremony. These items should be given to their guests. Wor-Wic will not be responsible for these items if they are lost, misplaced, stolen or broken.
   • All participants and guests are subject to the rules of the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. Graduates and/or their graduates could be asked to leave the premises if inappropriate behavior is displayed.

Professional photographers will take photos of the graduates. Graduates will receive a photo proof approximately one week following the ceremony. Information regarding photos will be provided to graduates in a commencement information packet. Guests are not permitted to come out of the stands to take pictures of their graduate, nor are they to block the aisles, approach the stage or come down into the audience or walkway of the graduates to take pictures. If this occurs, they will be promptly asked to return to their seats.