Frequently Asked Questions

I think I am ready to graduate. What now?

As the student, it is your responsibility to know when you are ready to graduate. To verify this, we suggest you request an update before applying for graduation. We also suggest you request a Preliminary Graduation Review when you are 9-12 hours from graduation or when you register for what you think to be your final classes.

I have verified I am ready to graduate. How do I apply?

Degrees and certificates are conferred three times each year - in December, May and August. Make an appointment to sit down with your student advisor so you can submit the graduation application by the published deadline to be considered a candidate for a particular graduation.

I am enrolled in my last class. Can I apply?

Yes, you can apply. However, you must complete and pass all course requirements by the end of the term of graduation (e.g., May, August, or December 31). If you are completing coursework at a different institution and require courses be transferred, make sure the official transcript is sent directly to SouthArk, attention Student Services Department, at the completion of the course. This document can arrive at any time after the graduation date. If, for any reason, you are unable to complete graduation requirements by the deadline, you will be required to resubmit your application for a subsequent graduation.

I have submitted my application. When will I receive a response?

SouthArk conducts graduation reviews on or after the respective application submission deadlines. For example, we will not review candidate applications for December graduation before October 1 unless it is warranted. Applications are reviewed in the order received, so it is advisable to apply as soon as you are eligible.

What will I receive after I apply?

If you are eligible to graduate you will receive a Marching Request form. This form is informing us if you will be walking or not in the actual graduation ceremony held at the El Dorado Conference Center on the scheduled date and time for that school term.

Once your official review has been completed and it is determined all degree requirements have been met, your diploma will be handed to you on the night of the graduation ceremony, available for you to pick up on days following the graduation ceremony, or mailed out.  If it is determined you have not met all graduation requirements, you will receive a call from the department’s dean in which you where obtaining your degree.

I do not want to participate in a ceremony. Can I just get my diploma?

You do not have to take part in the ceremony as the ceremony does not confer graduation. It is public recognition of your achievement, so participation is voluntary. All diplomas, Technical Certificates, and Certificates of Proficiency are available for pick up in the days following the actual graduation ceremony.  These dates and times will be posted on the website and annotated on your graduation instruction letter.

I want to march in a ceremony. What can I do?

After you apply for graduation, a Marching Request Form will be available for you to fill out. In the Spring and Fall there will be a letter of instructions posted on the website with additional information in reference to the ceremony, rehearsal, caps and gowns, etc.

Instructions for Commencement

Letters to Students:

Graduation day festivities are set for Thursday, December 12, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. at the El Dorado Conference Center, 311 S. West Avenue, El Dorado.  

Please invite your family and friends to attend graduation. Be aware that parking may not be available close to the conference center, and it is advisable to arrive early.

Please do not park in the Brookshire’s parking lot, as your car may be towed.

Since we will not have a practice prior to Commencement day, it is important that you be at the Conference Center no later than 5:00 p.m.

Upon arrival, you will find the check-in and line-up area located in the Cypress/Oak/Loblolly rooms (across from the Bistro) on the first floor of the Conference Center. Because you will be marching in the processional, climbing a few steps onto the stage, and walking across the stage, we suggest you wear appropriate footwear.

Please study the following instructions carefully prior to your arrival on graduation day. In order to maintain the integrity and dignity of the ceremony, all candidates need to understand clearly the procedures listed below. 
(NOTE: Tassels should be placed on the right side of the cap.)

  1. Candidates for graduation will be lined up in alphabetical order by academic division. All candidates will be given a name card as they arrive to check-in and line up. The card also will have a number. This is your assigned position in the line. Your name will be read aloud according to what is on this card….please do not lose it!
  2. When directed by the Student Marshals, graduating students will leave the check-in and assembly area at 6:00 p.m.
  3. The order of procession will be: Grand Marshal and platform party, Faculty Marshal and faculty, Student Marshals and students.
  4. The processional will march down the center aisle of Murphy Hall. Candidates will be seated in a reserved area.
  5. Candidates will remain standing at their seats until they are instructed to be seated.
  6. Please follow activities as directed and outlined in the program.
  7. All candidates will rise at the time degrees are conferred when the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Murders, says, "Will the student candidates for graduation please rise?” At this point in the ceremony, Dr. Murders will turn to President Jones and report that the candidates standing have met degree requirements. Dr. Jones will then make comments and confer degrees en masse.
  8. After Dr. Jones's comments, Dr. Murders will say, "We will now recognize each of our graduates.” At this point, all except Row 1 will be seated.
  • Row 1 will remain standing and will move to line up as directed by the Student Marshal.
    This is when you need your name card!
  • The first candidate will walk up to the podium and hand his/her name card to whoever is standing at the lower podium, who will hand the card to Dr. Murders, who will announce it.
  • Graduates will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas from Dr. Jones and shake hands with a Board of Trustees representative.
  • Graduates will then exit the stage and return to their seats as directed by the Student Marshal and stand until all in that row have arrived. The Student Marshals will then direct the row of graduates to be seated.
  • While the first candidate is walking across the stage, the second candidate will hand his/her name card to the one at the lower podium. The candidate will remain standing at the foot of the steps until his/her name is called. Only one candidate should be on stage at any given time.
  1. When the last candidate in each row begins to walk up to the stage, the next row will rise and follow the same procedures as the previous row, as directed by the Student Marshals. This process will continue until all graduates have received their diplomas.
  2. During Dr. Jones’ closing remarks, you will be instructed to move your tassel from the right side to the left side of your cap.
  3. The recessional will be led by the platform party followed by the faculty. Graduates will follow the faculty out as directed by the Student Marshals. (Do not leave your seat or get out of line until you are directed to do so.)
  4. SouthArk would like to give each new graduate a small gift when he or she exits the auditorium.
    Please proceed to the check-in/line-up rooms to pick up your diploma.
  5. PTK graduates must return the gold stoles to the bookstore staff that will be stationed outside The Bistro. To avoid a charge to your account, please make sure you return the PTK stole.

Congratulations, Graduate!

Preliminary Graduation Review Process

A preliminary graduation review is a review of requirements prior to graduation.

It should be requested only when you have nine to 12 hours remaining to complete a specific degree plan, or when you think you are enrolling in your final classes. To be reviewed, an official evaluation must have been previously completed.

In order to request a review, you must make an appointment with your student advisor. Your student advisor will give you the timeline on when to expect the review to be completed.

A graduation application should be completed only after the results of this preliminary review are received.

Questions should be directed to Student Services at 870-864-7195.

Commencement Overview

How to apply for graduation

All students must meet with their Student Advisor in order to apply for graduation prior to the scheduled date set for that school term’s graduation. Access the student advisors list by clicking on the link on the left-hand side of this page. Applying for graduation is the means to obtaining your diploma. Marching in a ceremony is a public recognition of your achievement but does not confer graduation. The only way to receive your conferred diploma is to apply. You will be required to fill out to documents while meeting with your student advisor: a graduation application and a graduation checklist.

If you are unable to make it to your student advisor’s office directly but would like to submit a graduation application into SouthArk please email your student advisor or Michele Hildreth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 1-870-864-7127 for assistance.
Applications must be submitted no later than the deadline date listed below for the graduation you are applying for.

• March 6 for graduation in May 14, 2020.
• October 9 for graduation in December 2020.

There are two marching ceremonies held at South Arkansas Community College each year, one in December and one in May. Students that graduated in either August or December may participate in the Fall ceremony. Those who graduate in May may participate in the Spring ceremony. For information on participating in a ceremony, contact Student Services at (870)-864-7195 or Academic Affairs at (870)-864-7127 for specific information. 

Requirements for Applying:

All course requirements must be completed prior to certificate/degree award. Requests for certificate/degree received from students who have not completed/passed course requirements by the end of the term for the graduation they have applied (i.e. December, May, or August) will not graduate.

All coursework must be completed by the end of the month of the Graduation applied for. For example, all coursework for May graduates must be completed prior to May 31; August 31 for August graduates and December 31 for December graduates. The actual published end date of the course, according to the SouthArk transcript is considered the official completion date. Even if a student completes requirements for the course prior to that date, the official completion date is the only one considered when applying for graduation.

Applications may be completed in person with a student advisor in the Student Services Office located in the El Dorado Conference Center, Second Floor, across from the elevators.

The permanent address given on the application must be one through which mail will always reach you.

If you have any questions, please contact the Academic Affairs Office at 1-870-864-7127 or email Michele Hildreth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

There is no fee required to receive your degree