Celebrate the goals you've reached! Find information about activities that will commemorate your hard work. There are activities that are designed to be shared with your family as well as the larger community.
All students planning to continue their education at Kirkwood are encouraged to participate in commencement upon completion of their final degree.
And don't forget to join our LinkedIn group to stay plugged in to Kirkwood news, events, and updates tailored especially for you.
It's quick and easy to apply for graduation:
If your audit doesn’t show the pending status, but you’re sure you should be ready to graduate, contact your advisor immediately.
Once you have confirmed that you are ready to graduate:
Then sit back and give yourself a pat on the back!
Students who have completed their program or will complete their program in the Fall 2020, Spring 2021, or Summer 2021 term are invited to participate in the virtual ceremony. To sign up:
Would you like to have a professional photo taken to use on your virtual commencement slide or your LinkedIn profile? Join us for our Graduate Photo Days on March 29 (Cedar Rapids campus) or March 30 (Iowa City campus). Simply sign up for a time slot, dress to impress, and then arrive any time during your designated hour.
A virtual commencement ceremony celebrates your academic achievement in an online format, allowing you to share this special moment with your loved ones near and far. The ceremony will include:
Follow these two steps to sign up for the virtual ceremony:
The virtual ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2021. A link to the ceremony will be posted here and on the Kirkwood homepage at that time.
Yes, our 2020 and 2021 graduates are welcome to participate in next year’s commencement ceremony, which will be held at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse on Saturday, May 14, 2022. If you would like to celebrate your achievement at the 2022 ceremony, please email commencement@kirkwood.edu to get on next year’s list.
Yes, we will be producing a commencement keepsake book that lists all of our graduates from Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021. This book will be available to view and download online. You can also request a hard copy of the commencement book to be mailed to you by completing the Commencement Book Request Form.
Yes. If you are participating in a Graduate Photo Day and would like to wear a graduation cap in your picture, you can purchase one at the Kirkwood Bookstore during your photo time slot.
If you would like to purchase a full set of regalia (gown, cap, and tassel) as a keepsake, you can order this through Herff Jones until April 20. Please note that items ordered through Herff Jones will not arrive before the Graduate Photo Days.
Your diploma will be sent to you in the mail 4 – 6 weeks after you complete your final coursework. It will be mailed to the address you provided on your graduation application. If you need to update this address, please edit your graduation application.
If you're close to graduating from Kirkwood but will transfer to a four-year school prior to graduating, have your new school send your transcript back to us once you finish the classes that will complete your Kirkwood degree. If you are planning to attend one of Iowa's three public universities, choose the "Reverse Transfer" option on your application. Doing this will let that school know that you would like your transcript sent to Kirkwood to complete degree requirements.
If you have any questions, contact the OneStop Office:
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 319-398-7600 or 1-877-386-9101
Fax: 319-398-4928
Email: Financial Aid - financialaid@kirkwood.edu
Email: Enrollment - enrollment@kirkwood.edu
FAFSA School Code: 004076
Location: 2nd Floor Kirkwood Hall
Mailing Address:
Kirkwood Community College
One Stop Office
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404