Graduation

Graduation requirements

Students have four years to complete the graduation requirements published in the catalog under which they initially enrolled or in any subsequent catalog published during their enrollment. Students must file an Application for Graduation form with a counselor prior to registering for the semester in which they expect to complete their graduation requirements.

Students seeking a technical certificate are not required to meet with a counselor. Certificate students can obtain the Application for Graduation from a Certificate Program form online and from the Enrollment Center.

Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science,
Associate in Fine Art degree Requirements

Course and credit requirements for degree programs vary depending on the program. For specific requirements for all programs, please see pages 50-74. General graduation requirements for degree programs include:

• Earn a minimum of 60 semester credits numbered 1000 or above with a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00. (Some degree programs require more than 60 credits.)
• Complete the career program and Liberal Arts Distribution requirements of the degree program.
• Complete a minimum of 20 credits at Inver Hills. Students who have 11 semester credits at another MnSCU community college, consolidated community/technical college or state university must complete a minimum of nine semester credits at Inver Hills.
• Earn a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00 for Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) courses if seeking an Associate in Arts degree.

Diploma/Certificate Graduation Requirements

Course and credit requirements for diploma and certificates vary depending on the program. For specific requirements for all programs, please see pages 50-74.

• Diplomas: Earn 30 to 48 earned college-level credits; students must earn at least one third of the credits at Inver Hills Community College.
• Certificates: Earn 9 to 30 earned college-level credits; students must earn at least one third of the credits at Inver Hills Community College.
• Earn an Inver Hills GPA of 2.00 and a Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) GPA of 2.00 (if applicable).
• Meet specific course grade requirements in the specific degree program. See pages 50-74 or talk with a college counselor. 

Students who enter Inver Hills under the 2009-2011 catalog must have the coursework required for graduation completed prior to fall semester, 2015. Students taking more than four years to complete graduation requirements at Inver Hills must follow the curriculum in a catalog under which they were enrolled during the four-year period preceding their date of graduation.

Use of credits for multiple degrees and certificates

Some career-related programs offer both certificate and degree options. Students may complete a certificate and then a degree in many cases, but restrictions apply. Below is a list of certificates and their corresponding associate degree. Additions to this list will be posted on the college website.

Certificate	Associate Degree
Advanced Network Technology	AAS Networking Technology and Security
Building Inspection	AAS Building Inspection Technology
Construction Management	AS Construction Management
Pre-CCJLE (Criminal Justice)	AS Criminal Justice
Human Services	AS Human Service Worker
IP Telephony	AS Networking Technology and Security
IT Help Desk	AAS Networking Technology and Security
Legal Office Assistant	AS Legal Office Assistant
Network Security	AAS Networking Technology and Security
Paralegal	AS Paralegal
Paramedic	AS Emergency Health Services

In order to be awarded both the certificate and the degree, the student must apply to complete the certificate at least one semester prior to completing the corresponding associate degree. Students who apply for the certificate after earning the associate's degree will not be awarded the certificate. Students interested in completing a certificate and its corresponding associate degree should consult with a counselor to create an appropriate educational plan.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Students must complete a minimum of 13 semester credits at Inver Hills for the college to certify completion of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. (These final 13 credits must be earned at Inver Hills). Students must earn a 2.00 GPA within the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum in order to complete it.

Certificates

Students must complete at least one-third of their credits at Inver Hills for the college to certify completion of a certificate program. Students must complete and submit the Application for Graduation from a Certificate Program form, available online and from the Enrollment Center.

Commencement

A formal commencement ceremony is planned for the end of each spring semester. Invitations will be sent to all graduation applicants. Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory.

Graduation with honors

Honors medallions are presented annually to graduating students who have attained a minimum of a 3.75 grade-point average for 20 or more grade-point credits earned while attending Inver Hills Community College. Students who graduate with honors will have "Honors" designated on their final transcript.

Diplomas

Diplomas are ordered following a final, successful graduation requirement check conducted by the Director of Enrollment Services. Diplomas are ordered at the end of the fall and spring semesters and at the end of Summer Session. Graduates should receive their diplomas 8 to 10 weeks from the end of the semester.