BTC's Commencement 2026

BTC's 2026 Commencement Ceremony will be in June, 2026, at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. The Commencement Ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m.  

Participating in the Commencement Ceremony is a great way to celebrate your achievement!

All students who will complete a program of 45 credits or more between Fall quarter 2025 through Summer quarter 2026 are eligible to participate in the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.

 

Watch the 2025 Commencement Ceremony

How do I get my certificate and degree?

If you are completing your program and wish to receive a degree or certificate, please visit the Apply for your Certificate & Degree page under Current Students.

• What is the deadline for me to decide if I'm going to participate in the Commencement Ceremony?

  We recommend you submit your Graduation Application and Commencement Participation form by May 30, 2026. Graduation Applications submitted after June 1 will likely not be processed in time for students to participate in Commencement, or have your degree or certificate listed in the Commencement Program.

• What is the cost to attend the Commencement Ceremony?

  There is no cost to attend, but students must have a black gown, black cap, and blue tassel to attend. Students can purchase their regalia from the Campus Store for $46.00 or check out a free rental gown and cap from Student Life. Students will need to purchase a tassel from the Campus Store. Free rental gowns from Student Life are limited and will be distributed until they run out. Free rental gowns can be picked up during Ticket Pickup times, see the FAQ further below.

• When is the Commencement Ceremony?

  2026 Commencement Ceremony will be in June 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Where is the Commencement Ceremony?

  2026 Commencement Ceremony will be at the Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.

• When is rehearsal?

  2026 Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal will be at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. Rehearsal begins at 2:00 p.m. and will last about an hour. Graduates need to enter through the Backstage Door on the backside of the theatre. There will be signage pointing the way.

• What time do I check in for the Commencement Ceremony?

  2026 Commencement Ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. Grads can begin checking in at 5:30 p.m., through the Backstage Entrance, which will have signage directing graduates to the backstage entrance.

• Will there be a live stream option?

  BTC will not be offering a livestream option for 2026.

• Who can participate?

  If you are completing a degree or certificate program of 45 credits or more between Fall quarter 2025 through Summer quarter 2026, you are invited to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Even if you don't participate in Commencement Ceremony, your name and degree/certificate title will be included in the Commencement Ceremony brochure.

• How long does the Commencement Ceremony last?

  Plan on two hours—though it may be closer to 90 minutes.

• Who needs a guest ticket?

  All guests need a ticket to enter the theatre, including babes in arms. Graduates do not need a ticket.

• When and where do guests arrive for the Commencement Ceremony?

  Guests can enter into Mount Baker Theatre, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Guests enter through the front/main entrance of Mount Baker Theatre.

• How many guests may I invite to Commencement?

  Each graduate will get four (4) guest tickets.

• Where do I pick up my tickets?

  Commencement Tickets will be available to be picked up, in Morse Center 2nd floor Atrium, during the following dates and times. Tickets can be picked up by someone else if you are unable to pick them up yourself. Anybody picking up any Commencement tickets must show their photo ID. 

  Pickup dates and times:
  Monday, June 9: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  Tuesday, June 10: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  Wednesday, June 11: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  Monday, June 16: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  Tuesday, June 17: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  
  

• Can I get extra tickets?

  We have closed requests for extra tickets. Extra ticket requests we received prior to our deadline will be handed out in order of request (by date and time requested) until we run out. Extra tickets will be distributed at Ticket Pickup.

• May I reserve seats for my guest?

  Seats cannot be reserved.

• Do GED recipients participate in the Commencement Ceremony?

  No, GED completers are recognized in a separate ceremony.

• Do I have to wear a cap, gown and tassel?

  Yes, graduates of one-year certificate and two-year and four-year degree programs wear a black gown and cap with a blue tassel. Gown is required. Gowns, caps and tassels are available at the Campus Store beginning mid-May or online at:

  • New Arrivals in Grad Gowns + Invites | Bellingham Technical College Campus Store 
  • Student Life also has a limited number of gowns and caps that can be rented. Contact us at commencement@btc.edu or come to the Student Center, Morse Center Room 220, during these times:
  • Monday, June 9: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 10: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 11: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Monday, June 16: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 17: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • We will not have rental gowns and rental caps available at the Ceremony

• What is the cost to participate?

  There is no cost to participate but you will have to provide your own regalia (gown, cap and tassel). And, you have to sign up to participate in Commencement.

• How do I get my degree?

  Submit a Graduation Application. Graduation Applications are due by the end of the second week of the quarter in which you plan to graduate. Graduation Applications submitted after June 1 are not guaranteed to be processed in time to participate in Commencement or to be listed in the Commencement Ceremony Program brochure. 

• Where is my diploma sent?

  Your diploma will be mailed to the address you provide on your Graduation Application. Please keep in mind that diplomas are mailed six to eight (6-8) weeks after final grades are posted. Please provide an address which will be good at that time. Please phone 360.752.8350 if you need to update your address for diploma mailing.

• When will my diploma arrive in the mail?

  Allow six to eight (6-8) weeks after final grades post for transcript review/degree audit and mailing of diploma. Some delay may be experienced after Spring Quarter due to volume. If there is a hold on your account, you will not receive your diploma until the hold is cleared.

• Will there be a photographer at Commencement?

  Yes. Photographer is GradImages. A “formal” photo of each graduate will be taken, as well as one of the graduate crossing the stage. You can view your photos at www.gradimages.com

• What should I do if I need proof of one-year certificate, two-year degree, or four-year degree graduation before receipt of my diploma?

  Order an official transcript at Transcripts & Records. Make sure to select the appropriate box indicating that you want your transcript to be held for posting of the degree. Your transcript will be mailed after your graduation date and credential earned have been posted. If needed, a letter can be provided to you to verify completion for potential employers. Contact the Registration Office at registration@btc.edu or call 360.752.8350.

• If I lose my diploma can I get a new one?

  Yes. The cost is $10.00 for the diploma and mailing. A Replacement Request form is available on the BTC website or at the Registration & Enrollment Office.

• Am I eligible for Academic Honors?

  To be eligible for Academic Honors, you must be enrolled full time in a degree program with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher at the completion of all degree requirements. Full time is defined as being enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits per quarter. Academic Honors are:
  Cum Laude (with honor) awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.74.
  Magna Cum Laude (with great honor) awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.89.
  Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.90-4.00.

• Can I participate in the Commencement Ceremony in June if I am not completing my program until August?

  Yes. If you are within 12 credits of graduation at the end of Spring Quarter and plan on completing those credits summer term, you can participate in the June Commencement Ceremony.

• Can I participate in the Commencement Ceremony in June if I can't graduate until the end of Fall Quarter?

  No. You must plan on completing your degree by the end of Summer Quarter 2026 in order to participate in the June 2026 Commencement Ceremony.

• I'm earning more than one degree or certificate. How will that be recognized at the Commencement Ceremony?

  All graduates completing a degree or certificate program of 45 credits or more will be recognized in the Commencement Ceremony program with your name and degree/certificate title. If you are receiving more than one degree or certificate, your name and degree/certificate will be listed in each program area. The Commencement Ceremony program will identify all of the degrees/certificates you earned as well for the current academic year.

• What happens during the Commencement Ceremony?

  The ceremony includes the following:

  • Messages from the college president, member of the Board of Trustees, faculty speaker, and BTC student speaker

  • Recognition of scholastic achievement

  • Presentation of degrees, certificates

  • Tassel movement

• Am I eligible for Honor Cords?

  Here is a list of different types of honor cords and stoles.

  • Cum Laude (with honor) awarded to students with cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.74
  • Magna Cum Laude (with great honor) awarded to students with cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.89
  • Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) awarded to students with cumulative GPA of 3.90-4.00
  • Veteran
  • Phi Theta Kappa
  • ASBTC
  • TRIO
  • Students with disabilities
  • LGBTQ+ students
  • BIPOC students
  • BAS

  The Cum Laude academic honor cords, Veterans cords, student identity cords, and BAS stoles will be distributed to eligible students when you check in for Commencement.

  TRIO stoles will be available at ticket pickup.

  Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor cords and other regalia can be purchased by PTK members on the PTK website. All PTK regalia are optional for PTK members.

  To be eligible for Cum Laude, students must be enrolled full time in a degree program at the completion of all degree requirements. Full time is defined as being enrolled for a minimum of 12 graded credits per quarter. The cumulative GPAs for students graduating this Spring or Summer are determined by their grades earned through Winter quarter. These are estimations for the Commencement Ceremony and are subject to change dependent upon final quarter grades.

• If I participate in Commencement and then complete my program requirements in a later quarter, do I need to do anything to get my diploma (degree/certificate)?

  Yes. You must submit a new Graduation Application to let BTC know that you have completed your requirements. A final degree audit will be performed to certify that you have met graduation requirements. After you have been certified as graduated, we will mail your diploma.

• Will I receive my diploma at Commencement?

  No. Your diploma is mailed to you after we certify that you have met graduation requirements for your degree or certificate. It will take six to eight (6-8) weeks to receive your diploma in the mail. 

• If I participate in the Commencement Ceremony, does that mean I have graduated?

  No, you have not graduated until your degree or certificate is awarded and posted to your transcript. To begin this process, complete a Graduation Application and submit it to the Registration Department. After all program requirements are completed and final grades are posted, the verification process will begin. The verification process typically requires six to eight (6-8) weeks for processing.

• Will my name appear in the newspaper?

  Your name will be published in the Commencement program and may be submitted to the newspaper unless you have submitted a Request for Non-Disclosure of Student Information. For more information about the Request for Non-Disclosure, contact the Registration & Enrollment Office at 306.752.8350 or by email at registration@btc.edu.

Tips for an Easy Graduation Application Process

• Check your Academic Progress Report regularly and speak to your navigator or faculty advisor if something doesn't look right

• Apply for graduation before your last quarter starts

• Check your Message Center regularly to for communications and updates from Enrollment Services

• If your graduation term changes, of you plan to submit transfer credits or test scores to complete your degree, or if any other plans change, please email graduation@btc.edu

Applying for Graduation

Note: Bellingham Technical College automatically awards certificates as they are earned. Students are not required to apply for certificates. Degrees require an application for graduation. 

• Log into your ctcLink Student Homepage and run a What-If Report to check your Academic Progress 

• Are you in the correct Program and Plan? If something looks incorrect, email graduation@btc.edu

• After checking your records, if you are 1-2 quarters away from completing your requirements, it’s time to apply for graduation 

How Do I Apply?

1. Check your records for the Apply for Graduation option using the Academic Progress tile. If you don’t see the option to apply, but you think you are close to completing your degree, please email graduation@btc.edu

2. Select the term in which you will complete all your degree requirements

3. Update your name, email, and mailing address as needed through the Profile Tile

How Do I Get Updates?

Enrollment Services will send you updates via ctcLink Message Center. You will also receive an email notification to your preferred email when a communication is available in Message Center. 

As your application for graduation progresses, you can also observe updates via your Student Milestones. The Graduation Status milestone will reflect your current application status. 

If you have questions about your graduation application or wish to notify us of changed plans, please email graduation@btc.edu

When Do I Get My Diploma?

Diplomas will be mailed out 6-8 weeks after your degree is posted to your transcript. It is your responsibility to keep your mailing address updated. You may update this anytime in ctcLink, through the Profile Tile.

When will Commencement be?

The 2026 Commencement Ceremony will be in June 2026 at Mount Baker Theatre. Commencement Ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. 

Commencement Participant Materials:

• Black gown, black cap, and blue tassel (required regalia)
• Honor cords, if you have a cumulative GPA of 3.50-4.00. Please note that cumulative GPAs for students graduating this Spring or Summer are determined by their grades earned through Winter quarter. These are estimations for the Commencement Ceremony and are subject to change dependent upon final quarter grades
• Stoles for Bachelor of Applied Science students
• Veteran cords for veterans
• TRIO stoles for participating TRIO students
• Student affinity cords for LGBTQ+ students, BIPOC students, and students of color
• ASBTC stoles for ASBTC executives
• Diploma covers

Phi Theta Kappa:
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor cords and other regalia can be purchased by PTK members on the PTK website. All PTK regalia are optional for PTK members.

Congratulations on your upcoming Commencement and graduation! BTC is so proud of you and your accomplishment.

We have a wonderful Commencement Ceremony planned for you that will celebrate, acknowledge, and honor you and your achievements.

If you are completing a degree or certificate program of 45 credits or more between Fall quarter 2025 through Summer quarter 2026, your name and degree/certificate title will be included in the Commencement Ceremony program.

We are so excited for you, and so proud of what you have done. We are looking forward to celebrating you at the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.