Convocation

Important Convocation Checklist

  • Have you successfully completed all courses in your program of study?
    It is your responsibility to ensure that you have met the requirements to graduate. Processing of Course Exemptions, clearing of incomplete grades and any other outstanding issues have to be completed before you will be cleared to graduate. Postsecondary students can check MAP on MyMohawk to see if all the requirements of their program have been met to graduate.
  • Do you have any outstanding liabilities?
    Graduands with outstanding debts to the college can still participate in the ceremony, but will not receive their diploma/certificate until the debts are cleared. Students should still apply to graduate even if they have a hold on their account. Your financial record can be checked through MyMohawk, Student Finances tab, Financial Tools, Account Summary.
  • Is your mailing address correct on your student record?
    Check and update your mailing address through MyMohawk, under the Home tab, Personal Information channel. For assistance, contact The Registrar's Office - Student Services at 1-844-767-6871, or by email: ask [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ask[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca).
  • Have you applied to graduate?
    You must apply online to graduate (see “Applying to Graduate”) by the deadline date posted (even if you do not plan on attending the ceremony).
  • Have you checked the Grad List?
    See “Checking the Grad List” below.

Convocation Ceremonies Dates

Fennell and Satellite Campus Graduates (excluding Mississauga Campus)

Winter 2025 graduates will attend the June Convocation Ceremonies, to be held the week of June 16th-20th, 2025.

Credentials for Winter graduates will be mailed to the address on file beginning the week of February 17th, 2025.  Make sure your address is up-to-date by January 17th, 2025 to ensure it is mailed to the correct location.

Location:

McIntyre Performing Arts Centre
Mohawk College Fennell Campus, Hamilton, Ontario


Mississauga Campus Graduates

Winter 2025 Convocation Ceremonies will be held on March 5th, 2025. Location information will be available soon and additional details will be provided directly from triOS College prior to the ceremony. 


Ceremonies for students who have completed an apprenticeship certificate or have completed a certificate that is only offered through Continuing Education will be held in October. Learn more about CE Graduation and Convocation.

Checking the Grad List

All Postsecondary program (diploma or certificate) potential graduates, including those who completed their Postsecondary program through Continuing Education, must check the Grad List when it is posted online.

An e-mail with the user name and password needed to access the Grad List will be sent to your Mohawk College e-mail address during the week of January 6th, 2025.

If you are unable to access your Mohawk College e-mail or MyMohawk, contact the Help Desk at 905-575-2199 or helpdesk [at] mohawkcollege.ca (helpdesk[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca).

The Grad List for Winter graduation will be posted on January 17th, 2025 in the afternoon (on MyMohawk, Academics tab, Graduation channel).

Do not assume that your name is on the Grad List, even if you are sure you are clear to graduate.

It is your responsibility to check the Grad List as soon as it is posted. Mistakes may happen and your department only has until January 24th to make corrections or additions to the Grad List.

What You Should Check on the Grad List:

  • Your name is on the Grad List
  • Your name is spelled correctly
  • The program you are graduating from is correct
  • Honours status is correct (if applicable)
  • Co-op status is correct (if applicable)

 

What if There is an Error on the Grad List? Contact Your Academic Area Immediately if:

  • Your name does not appear on the Grad List
  • Your program is incorrect
  • You do not have Honours status and feel you should
  • You are not showing correctly as a Co-op graduate

 

Contact Student Services at ask [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ask[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca):

 

Students not cleared to graduate in Winter 2025, must reapply to graduate once all program requirements have been completed.

Ceremony Details

Convocation is a special, dignified ceremony that requires the full cooperation of you, the graduand.

Note: The information below is not applicable for Mississauga Campus students. For Ceremony and Ticket information for Mississauga Campus students, please contact triOS directly.

Graduate Registration and Procession into the Theatre - Mohawk College Convocation Process

IMPORTANT NOTE: Allow travel time to arrive within the graduate registration period. If you do not register within the registration time noted below, it will not be possible to seat you with your classmates.
 
For a 9:30 a.m. ceremony

8:30 to 9:00 am – Graduate Registration to receive name card and gown
9:00 a.m. – Line up to prepare for procession into the Theatre

For a 2:00 p.m. ceremony

1:00 to 1:30 pm – Graduate Registration to receive name card and gown
1:30 p.m. – Line up to prepare for procession into the Theatre

For a 7:00 p.m. ceremony

6:00 to 6:30 pm – Graduate Registration to receive name card and gown
6:30 p.m. – Line up to prepare for procession into the Theatre


What to Wear:

Mohawk College is a scent-aware space. Out of respect for our employees, students, and visitors, we request that you limit the use of scented products while on campus.

Business casual is the suggested attire for the celebration. Convocation is celebrated in traditional fashion with graduates wearing a black convocation gown over their clothing during the ceremony.

Graduates are prohibited from wearing hats, and carrying anything into the Theatre at the time of the ceremony (i.e. cameras, purses, pictures, flowers, food or drink). It is recommended that personal belongings are left with the graduate's guests or in the purse/coat check.

Graduates are prohibited from wearing or displaying political attire or political articles during the ceremony.

As written in the Convocation Ceremony Policy, section 6.2, with limited exceptions, graduates are required to follow the long-standing dignity and ceremonial tradition of wearing the traditional academic regalia at all times during the ceremony, except:

  • Indigenous students who may opt to wear their traditional Regalia;
  • Active military personnel who may opt to wear their dress uniform; and
  • Clergy/members of religious orders who may opt to wear their religious apparel.
     

Graduates will be informed of all ceremony expectations prior to convocation. Graduates who refuse to comply with the dress code will not be allowed to participate in the convocation ceremony.


Ceremony Length

The ceremony will last approximately one and a half hours and graduates are expected to remain for the duration of the ceremony.

Graduates must return to the same room that they registered at for the convocation, immediately after the Ceremony.


Parking

Parking is free for the ease of the graduates and their guests.

Convocation Confirmation (RSVP) & Tickets

Note: The information below is not applicable for Mississauga Campus students. For Ceremony and Ticket information for Mississauga Campus students, please contact triOS directly.

*The Convocation Confirmation (RSVP) and Ticket Request site is currently closed and will be opened closer to the June 2025 Convocation Ceremonies.

Requirements for Graduation

An overall minimum weighted GPA of 60%* is required to graduate, as stated in the Program Promotion and Graduation Requirements Policy AC700 PDF. Where courses have been repeated, the highest course mark will be used in the calculation.

*Some programs have Exceptions to the graduation requirements.

Residency Requirements:

Students must complete at least 25% of the program requirements at Mohawk College to qualify for a Mohawk college certificate, diploma or applied degree. Courses granted for advanced standing and/or credit for prior experiential learning are not included in the 25% calculation.

Timelines for Graduation:

To be eligible for graduation, students are expected to demonstrate mastery of current competencies outlined in the Program of Studies applicable at the time of graduation. Mohawk College does not permit backdating of diplomas.

In cases where study has been interrupted for one or more years, the college may require a student to repeat a subject area.

Graduation Designations and Terminology

Graduation Designations

Upon receipt of a diploma, graduates are entitled to use a designation, as described below, after their names:

Ontario College Certificate Programs (OCC)

Ontario College Diploma Programs (OCD)

Ontario College Advanced Diploma Programs (OCAD)

Ontario College Graduate Certificate (OCGC)


Terminology

Convocation: Official ceremony for awarding of diplomas and certificates.

Credential: A general term used when referring to diplomas and certificates.

Liripipe: The Liripipe was first used in Europe during the Middle Ages as a mark of distinction. A Master would take the tail (or Liripipe) of his Master's hood and present it to his student as recognition that the student has successfully completed his training period, and was now accepted into the Guild.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Graduate Registration and Procession into the Theatre:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Allow travel time to arrive within the graduate registration period. If you do not register within the registration time noted below, it will not be possible to seat you with your classmates.

For a 9:30 a.m. ceremony

8:30 to 9:00 a.m. – Graduate Registration to receive name card and gown
9:00 a.m. – Line up to prepare for procession into the Theatre

For a 2:00 p.m. ceremony

1:00 to 1:30 p.m. – Graduate Registration to receive name card and gown
1:30 p.m. – Line up to prepare for procession into the Theatre

For a 7:00 p.m. ceremony

6:00 to 6:30 p.m. – Graduate Registration to receive name card and gown
6:30 p.m. – Line up to prepare for procession into the Theatre


What if I cannot attend the ceremony?
You must still apply to graduate (and check the Grad List when posted, if applicable) even if you are not able to attend the convocation ceremony.

Credentials not picked up at the ceremony will be mailed to the address on file in MyMohawk the week after the ceremony.

**Make sure your address on MyMohawk is always kept up-to-date.**


What if I owe money to the College?
Graduates with outstanding debts to the college can still participate in the ceremony, but will not receive their diploma/certificate until the debts are cleared. Students should still apply to graduate even if they have a hold on their account. Your financial record can be checked through MyMohawk, Student Finances tab, Financial Tools, Account Summary.


How long is the ceremony?
The ceremony will last approximately one and a half hours and graduates are expected to remain for the duration of the ceremony.


Are there any costs associated with the ceremony?
There are no additional costs. The convocation fee is part of the fees you have already paid.


Is there anything I should know about photographs or videotaping?
Mohawk College will be videotaping and simultaneously live streaming our convocation ceremonies on the web. These videos will then be posted on the college's YouTube site at: https://www.youtube.com/user/mohawkcollege

Guests are invited to take photos during the ceremonies.

Videos and photographs taken during convocation may be used in official college printed and electronic publications.


Is there anything else I should know?
Graduates must return to the registration area immediately after the ceremony to check out and return their liripipe.

Liripipes may be purchased from the Campus Store, Room C104 (beside The Registrar's Office) for $40.

Gowns and liripipes not returned immediately following the ceremony will be charged to your account for the cost of these articles (gown $75 and liripipe $40).

Graduates who refuse to comply with the dress code will not be allowed to participate in the convocation ceremony.

Graduates are prohibited from wearing hats and carrying anything into the Theatre at the time of the ceremony (i.e. cameras, purses, pictures, flowers, food or drink).


How do I book my grad photos?
Check out the MSA's Grad Photo site.

Contact Information

Questions regarding your Program of Study, Grades or Eligibility for Graduation should be directed to your academic department.

Any other questions regarding the graduation process can be directed to:

The Registrar's Office - Student Services
Phone: 1-844-767-6871
Email: ask [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ask[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)

 

Credential Replacement

If you need a credential replacement:

  1. Fill out the Credential Replacement Form (PDF, 1.2 MB)
  2. Email the form to ask [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ask[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca) or drop off in The Registrar's Office (C102 at Fennell campus)
  3. Once the request is reviewed and processed, a replacement credential will either be mailed, picked up, or provided digitally through MyCreds