Commencement/Graduation

Commencement Dates

  • Fall 2024: December 13, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. at the Freeman Coliseum

For more Commencement information and highlights, visit:

Commencement Recognition

Important Reminder!

Meet with your advisor to review the degree audit.

  • Submit your intent to graduate by going into your ACES Portal (see instructions below)
    • Graduation applications are to be determined. (contact your Certified Advisor for application)

Apply to Graduate

  1. Login to ACES
  2. Enter USERNAME
  3. Enter PASSWORD
  4. Select STUDENT tab
  5. Select WEB SERVICES
  6. Select STUDENT
  7. Select STUDENT RECORDS
  8. Select APPLY TO GRADUATE
  9. Select the TERM
  10. SUBMIT

Apply to Graduate Checklist

  • Review the degree plan with an advisor or counselor
  • Confirm your primary institution, degree, and major are correct
  • Complete 25% of your degree, certificate, and 50% Occupational Skills Award in residence at your home college and have a 2.0 cumulative GPA at graduation.
  • If you are applying for multiple awards, please contact your primary institution's Records Office.
  • Review and resolve any holds
  • Be in your last semester for AA, AS, AAT, or AAS awards
  • Confirm all official college transcripts from all institutions attended are submitted
  • If you have received FFELP or Direct Loans while attending Alamo Colleges, you are required to register for an Exit Counseling Session at the Financial Aid Office.

Additional Commencement/Graduation Information

Cost of Graduation

There is no graduation fee. We will provide the diploma, cap, and gown.

More information will be provided to the graduate using the xxx@student.alamo.edu address.

GRADUATION INFORMATION (REHEARSAL) SESSION

When: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Where:  Virtual by Zoom (link will be emailed to those who submitted graduation applications)

General Information

Commencement Ceremony

All graduating students are encouraged to be present at the commencement ceremony.

Degrees and Certificates Awarded

Two degrees or certificates can be awarded concurrently if all academic requirements are met. Please note that diplomas will be mailed 10-12 weeks AFTER the degree/certificate has been conferred.

Graduation/Commencement Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is the Commencement Ceremony?

The College's Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

Commencement/Graduation Website

What time should I arrive at the Alamodome?

Participants need to arrive at the Alamodome at 2:00 p.m.

Where do students park?

Parking lots B, & C are available for parking during the St. Philip’s College Commencement.

Lots B & C can be accessed from the southbound lane of Cherry Street between Montana St. and César E. Chávez Blvd.

Parking lot A is accessible parking for guests with disabilities.

Lot A can be accessed via the northbound I-37 access road, between César E. Chávez Blvd. and Montana Street.

  • Be prepared for extensive walking. It is recommended to wear comfortable footwear.
  • Leave valuable (purses, etc.) with family or friends. There will not be a place to secure
    valuables. Click HERE for Alamodome security guidelines.
Where can my guest park?

Parking lots B, & C are available for parking during the St. Philip’s College Commencement.

Lots B & C can be accessed from the southbound lane of Cherry Street between Montana St. and César E. Chávez Blvd.

Parking lot A is accessible parking for guests with disabilities.

Lot A can be accessed via the northbound I-37 access road, between César E. Chávez Blvd. and Montana Street.

  • Be prepared for extensive walking. It is recommended to wear comfortable footwear.
  • Click HERE for Alamodome security guidelines.
Will I have to pay for parking at the Alamodome?

Student and guest parking is $20 per car.
Method of payment accepted: credit cards. No cash is accepted as a method of payment.

After parking, where do I need to go?

Students participating in the commencement please proceed to the SOUTH end of the Alamodome and enter through the Loading Dock entrance. Metal detectors will be used for your safety. Do not bring anything with you.

In the Alamodome, what do I need to do?
  • Once you enter the Alamodome, there will be personnel directing you to the appropriate check in station. The check in stations will be inside the Alamodome behind the stage.
  • Immediately proceed to the check in station to pick up your name card.
  • Once you have checked in and have your name card in hand, please proceed to the seated waiting area behind the stage until you are called to lineup for the procession.
  • When you are called to the backstage area, please be sure to bring your name card with you. This is how they will announce your name. Do not leave your name card on your chair.
  • As soon as you come off the stage, there will be Flash Photography to take your picture.
  • Following this, you will be directed back to your seat.
  • Students are required to remain in their seats throughout the entire ceremony. The ceremony
    will last approximately 2 - 2.5 hours.
When can my guests arrive at the Alamodome?

Public access to the Alamodome begins at 2:00 p.m. Guests should proceed to the north end of the Alamodome to enter through the main entrance. Please inform your guests that they will not be able to reserve seats. Seats are available to everyone on a first-come-first-served basis. The ceremony will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m.

Who can participate in Commencement?

Summer and Fall candidates may participate in the December Commencement ceremony. Spring candidates may participate in the May Commencement ceremony. Attendance is not required to earn your degree or certificate.

I participated in the ceremony, does that mean I graduated?

No! Commencement is the celebration whereby public recognition is received for months and years of a student’s hard work. Graduation is the process involved in conferring a degree. The process to award a degree includes verifying passing grades and meeting all degree/graduation requirements. The degree conferment process takes up to 10-12 weeks after the end of the semester.

How can I order pictures?

Your picture will be taken the night of the Commencement Ceremony by Flash Photography. Flash Photography will contact you at the email address you provided on the Flash Photography card you completed when you picked up your cap and gown. 

I moved and have not updated my address. What happens to my Diploma?

It is the student's responsibility to update their mailing address as soon as possible. Students should verify their mailing address in your ACES student portal and make necessary edits using a biographical change form. The biographical change form is located at alamo.edu/spc/records. Please update your address immediately.

If I apply for graduation but do not graduate, can my graduation application be used for the following semester?

Students who did not earn a degree are required to resubmit an application because the advisor must assure degree requirements have been met.

What if I want to purchase an additional diploma?

Students may purchase diplomas at any time after a degree/certificate has been awarded.

Commencement/Graduation Website

Where do I pick up my diploma?

Diplomas will be mailed to the graduate’s primary address in the student record (ACES).  It is very important to verify the address is correct.

What size of gown should I wear?
First, determine your height range, then, find your weight range.
 
To select your gown size, please select from the chart below:
Example: If you are 5’7” - 5’9” and your weight range is 230 you will need a 4-B gown.
 
   

A

 

B

*1

C

*2

 

Height Range Weight Range Weight Range Weight Range
1 4’10”- 5’0” up to 159 160-219 220-280
2 5’1” - 5’3” up to 179 160-239 240-300
3 5’4” - 5’6” up to 199 200-264 265-330
4 5’7” - 5’9” up to 229 230-294 295-360
5 5’10” - 6’0” up to 259 260-329 330-400
6 6’1”- 6’3” up to 284 285-354 355-425
7 6’4” - 6”6” up to 309 310-384 385-460
8 6’7” - 6’9” up to 329 330-404 405-480
9 6’10 - 7’0” up to 349 350-429 430-510
 
Graduation gowns should fit loosely so they hang over your body without restricting movement.


Alumni Information

Need More Help?

For additional information, please get in touch with the Enrollment Management at 210-486-2700.

For questions about the Degree Conferment and Graduation Ceremony, please email us at spc-gradadv@alamo.edu.

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Contact Information

Send all general information inquiries to: Office of Records and Registration – Graduation/Commencement information
spc-gradadv@alamo.edu

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