Graduation Information - Credit

All graduation ceremonies for Credit students will be held in the HPF building (gymnasium) on the main (Amnicola Highway) campus.


Spring / Summer Ceremony

DATE: Friday, May 1, 2026
TIME: Multiple ceremonies will be held. Times will be emailed in April.

Chattanooga State’s live stream will update with each individual campus event.

 

Intent to Graduate Forms

Each student must meet with their instructor to ensure that all graduation requirements have been met, and to complete an Intent to Graduate form. To participate in graduation or to receive your degree/certificate/diploma, this form must be signed by your instructor, submitted, and processed. Submitting the form will initiate:

  • the printing of your diploma
  • an invitation to participate in graduation
  • the posting of your credential on your transcript

 

Graduation Ceremony

Tickets

Each participating graduate may receive up to six (6) guest tickets to their ceremony. Every guest, regardless of age, MUST have a ticket to enter the ceremony. Tickets are issued for a specific ceremony time, not for a specific seat. Ticketed guests may sit in any available seat. We recommend and request that groups of guests arrive together, enter together, and sit together. We expect that all seats will be used at each ceremony, and we have not allocated "buffer seats" between groups of guests.

Location

Graduates line up in the Branch Center lobby.

All ceremonies will be in the HPF Building (Gymnasium) on the main (Amnicola Highway) campus. View the Campus Map.

Arrival Time

  • Graduates - Arrive 1.5 hours before the scheduled ceremony time, and come dressed in regalia (cap, gown, cords, medals, etc.)
     
  • Ticketed Guests - We aim to open the doors 30 minutes before each scheduled ceremony. This will depend on the duration of the preceding ceremony.

Duration

Ceremonies will start promptly at the published time and will likely last around 45 minutes.

Photos

Professional photographs will be taken, and you will have the opportunity to order prints through the photography company. You will receive more details at the ceremony. 

Parking & Access

Graduates and guests should park in Lot P1, the Visitor Parking Lot. All ceremonies will be held in the Gymnasium (HPF) building, which is number 4 on the campus map.

Accessibility & Accommodations

If you or any of your guests have accessibility needs or wish to request accommodations, please email the Center for Access and Disability Services at [email protected] or call 423-697-4452.

Typical requests might include that you or your guests cannot navigate stairs, or that your guests need to sit in a place where they can read the live captioning. The planned route for graduates includes a few stairs into the HPF building.

 

Grad Finale: Cap, Gown, & Guest Ticket Pickup

Grad Finale is a drop-in celebration where students pick up their cap, gown, cords, and guest tickets.
 

The following offices will be available:

  • Bursar: Check for any holds that may prevent you from getting your diploma.
  • Bookstore: Order memorabilia like diploma frames, etc.
  • Career Services: Plan your future!
  • Records: Check your address and the name on your diploma.
  • Jostens: Order a class ring and other memorabilia like invitations.
  • Marketing: Have a story to tell about your time at ChattState? Let us know!
  • Alumni: Join the alumni association for networking and career opportunities.
     

Please allow 30 minutes to drop by:

Designating Someone Else to Pick Up Your Regalia:

Provide the person's name via the Cap & Gown Pick-up Permission Form.
The person you designate will need to know your A#, and present a photo ID matching the name you have provided.
 

If you missed the deadline to order your regalia:

 

Diplomas, Replacements, & Transcripts

Diplomas

Questions regarding diplomas can be sent to [email protected]. Diplomas will be mailed each term approximately 6-8 weeks after final grades are posted. They are sent to the mailing address on file with the following schedule:

  • Spring graduates: July
  • Summer graduates: October
  • Fall graduates: February
     

Replacements

A diploma/certificate replacement can be obtained free of charge. Any holds will need to be cleared before we can print the replacement. Original signatures will not be on replacement diplomas. Please allow 3-4 weeks for replacement diplomas to be processed/mailed. Please complete the Diploma Replacement Request Form.
 

Transcripts

Once you have been awarded your degree an email will be sent from [email protected] with detailed instructions on ordering your transcript through The National Student Clearing House. Under Processing Details, select “Current Transcript-Process As Is” and allow 3-4 days for processing.

 

Questions?

If you have questions or need additional information, please email [email protected]

 

Regalia Details

Chattanooga State recognizes exceptional degree seeking students by granting honors Latin Honors. Graduation ceremony honors include wearing a specific color of honor cord and having the appropriate Latin phrase read after the graduate's name. The table below reflects each level of Latin Honors:

Latin Honor

English Translation

GPA

Color Cord

Summa Cum Laude

"with highest praise"

3.9 - 4.0

Gold

Magna Cum Laude

"with great praise"

3.7 - 3.899

Blue

Cum Laude

"with praise"

3.5 - 3.699

Orange