How do I get my Certificate and Degree?

Have you run an Academic Advisement Report to check that all of the requirements are completed or in progress? If not, Run an Academic Advisement Report Now! For more information about Academic Advisement Reports, see below.

Submit a Graduation Application

If you are completing your program and wish to receive a degree or certificate, you must complete and submit a Graduation Application online.

Processing this Graduation Application allows the College to review your certificate or degree requirements using your Academic Advisement Report, determine your final completion, post your certificate or degree to your transcript, and provide a diploma. There is NO COST for processing the application. Following verification of completion and posting to your transcript, you will be mailed your certificate or degree diploma.

Timeline: Graduation Application to Diploma

Graduation Application

To ensure timely processing of your program completion, please submit your Graduation Application by the second week of the quarter in which you plan to complete your certificate or degree. Late applications will be accepted, but may not be processed until the following quarter.

The process of verifying completion of graduation requirements, awarding and posting degrees and certificates, and mailing diplomas takes 6-8 weeks.

Grades Final for your Last Quarter

After final official quarterly grades are posted on the third day after the end of your final quarter, the verification process can begin for all potential graduates.

Certificates and Degrees Posted to Transcript

When verification of all completion requirements is completed, your certificate or degree will be posted to your transcript. Check your transcript for proof of completion.

If you need proof of completion before you receive your diploma, Order an Official Transcript. 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 360.752.8350.

Diploma

Lastly, diplomas are processed and mailed 6-8 weeks after grades were final.

Your diploma will be mailed to the address you provide on your Graduation Application. Please phone 360.752.8434 if you need to update your address for diploma mailing.

Communication

You will be notified in writing if your application has been denied.

If you have questions about processing your graduation application contact Registration at registration@btc.edu or call 360.752.8350.

Academic Requirements of Certificates & Degrees

Read about requirements for each type of certificate and degree, including state General Education requirements. See Academic Requirements in our catalog.

Academic Achievement

BTC is proud to recognize and award students for their Academic Achievement. See our catalog for eligibility requirements.

• Dean's list
• Honors
• Certificate of Merit
• Phi Theta Kappa

The Academic Advisement Report (AAR) is an unofficial report that tracks course requirements and academic policies to display a student's progress towards earning their degree or certificate.

• Run quarterly to track your progress
• Review before submitting your Graduation Application
• The results do not guarantee eligibility for graduation
• Check with your Navigator or Faculty Advisor for any questions

Detailed tutorials:

1. View Academic Progress

2. Student What-If

3. Advisor What-If

Effective 2009, students earning an associate degree from a community or technical college are allowed to earn a Washington State high school (HS) diploma according to SHB 1758. Students selecting this option are not required to complete the State Board of Education's high school graduation requirements. 

Associate Degrees at BTC

• AAS - Associate of Applied Science
• AAS-T - Associate of Applied Science - Transfer
• DTA/MRP - Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program
• AS-T/MRP - Associate of Science - Transfer/Major Related Program

How do I get my High School Diploma?

Submit a Graduation Application for your Associate Degree and as you do, check the High School Diploma box to open the request page for your High School diploma.

If you have already submitted your Graduation Application, use this High School Diploma Application to request your High School Diploma.

Your signature and date are required, so please complete the High School Diploma Application, sign and date it, and then submit it to Registration via email, fax, or in College Services.

• 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.

• How do I know my degree has been awarded?

  When verification of all completion requirements is completed, your certificate or degree will be posted to your transcript. Check your transcript for proof of completion.

• How do I prove I completed my degree or certificate?

  Order an Official Transcript. 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 360.752.8350.

• 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.

  • 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.

• 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 phone 360.752.8434 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. (If there is a hold on your account, you will not receive your diploma until the hold is cleared.)

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

  Yes. Submit a Replacement Request for Diploma to the cashier with payment. Cost covers processing, materials and mailing.

• Who do I contact if I have questions?

  If you have questions about Graduation/Completion or getting a High School Diploma, or an address change for mailing your diploma, call Registration at 360.752.8350.

• What is the difference between Graduation and Commencement?

  Graduation: When a student successfully completes all the requirements for a degree or certificate.

  Commencement: A ceremony in which degrees or certificates are given to graduating students.

Celebrate your accomplishment by participating in the BTC Commencement Ceremony! See Commencement Ceremony for details.

Transferability of BTC Credits

To determine transferability of credits earned at Bellingham Technical College, students must request that an official BTC transcript be forwarded to the college where they want to have credits evaluated. The receiving college will determine the value of coursework completed at BTC. Contact the receiving college for evaluation information and instructions.

The "&" in a BTC course prefix designates Washington State Community and Technical College Common Course Numbering (CCN). Common Course Numbering identifies those courses common within the 34 community and technical colleges in Washington State and to make course transfer between those institutions and to four-year colleges and universities as easy as possible for students, advisors, and receiving institutions.

Each institution has its own transfer policies and each student is responsible for knowing transfer and admission requirements of the receiving institution. Students are urged to consult with their advisor and a representative from the college they plan to attend after Bellingham Technical College.

To transfer credits, order your Official Transcript and have it sent to the college or university you are transferring to.

Transferring to another Institution after earning your Degree at BTC

BTC is a great place to begin your journey towards earning a bachelor’s degree. Many of BTC's Associate degree programs are designed to be transferable to local and regional four-year colleges and universities. Articulation agreements with certain public and private colleges and universities facilitate this process and provide transfer options to BTC students.

View current listing of Transfer Options

Transfer Rights and Responsibilities

For more information about transferring and your rights and responsibilities as a student, read Transfer Rights and Responsibilities in our catalog.

Transfer Credits to BTC

See How to Transfer Credits to BTC