Commencement | Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood, Pennsylvania

Graduation & Commencement Ceremony

Graduates

Graduation

Graduation is an exciting time. This page will help guide you in your next steps.

Important dates to remember:  

  • Graduation Application Deadline:  MARCH 30
  • 4/7 & 4/8 - Grad Bash 2026   -  April 7th  1p- 4p  &  April 8th  10a - 1p
  • 4/27 - Last day to request cap, gown and tickets to be sent to one of our Education Centers 
  • 4/27 - Commencement RSVP Deadline (RSVPs will be emailed after 3/30)
  • 5/8 - SPRING 2026 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY 
  • Questions?   Email commencementFREEWESTMORELAND 

Have you applied for Graduation? 

Graduation is processed three times per year: 

  • Fall application deadline - November 30
  • Spring application deadline - March 30
  • Summer application deadline - July 30

*Summer graduates who submit their graduation application on or before March 30 may participate in the spring ceremony only if within 6 credits of completion.

**Applications received after the deadline indicated above will move the graduation date to the next upcoming semester.

Westmoreland's annual Grad Bash at our Youngwood campus (in the Student Achievement Center Lobby)  on April 7 & 8 is where students may: 

  • Pick up caps, gowns and tickets
  • Get tips from local employers
  • Check out free professional clothes
  • Decorate caps
  • Get a professional headshot
  • Enjoy refreshments 

** Please bring valid photo ID for tickets** 

Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony

  • Date:  May 8, 2026
  • Time:  1:00 p.m.
  • Location:  Youngwood campus 
  • Doors open at noon 
  • Guests must be seated before the procession begins at 12:45 p.m.

Restrictions:   

  • Guests should not bring anything they cannot carry 
  • All financial obligations must be paid 
  • All current spring payment plans must be up-to-date
  • Students with outstanding balances and/or not in payment status may not participate in any commencement activities.

How many guests can I bring?   Where will they sit? 

Each graduate is allowed four (4) guests, this includes children/infants - this is strictly enforced so everyone can enjoy their graduate's special day.  We have overflow space prepared where guests with children/infants can enjoy the livestreamed ceremony.

Where do I park? 

Students and guests are welcome to park in Student Lots B & C which are located across the bridge walk ways.   

What if my guests need parking accommodations? 

Lot A near the North Entrance and the parking spaces directly in front of the Student Achievement Center have been designated for guests and students needing parking accommodations.

Where do I enter the school and do my guests enter at the same place?  

All graduates will report to the SIC building between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.   All guests will report to the SAC buidling (the building closest to the brick pavillion).  Those doors open at NOON and guests must be seated by 12:45 p.m.

Will the ceremony be available online?

Commencment will be live streamed via the Westmoreland website.  This will allow others who could not attend to watch the ceremony. 

  • The new graduation application is now available in your student portal under Popular Links.  
  • Complete the requirements for your program of study as listed in the catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment or any subsequent catalog including the current one.   
  • Meet with your assigned advisor to confirm that you are on track to meet your program requirements for graduation. 
  • Earn at least 50 percent of credential requirements at Westmoreland County Community College under faculty instruction and evaluation.   This does not include transfer credits, credits awarded for CLEP and other standardized exames, credit by exam or portfolio.   
  • Maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better in all course work.*
  • *QPA requirements for Early Elementary Education PreK-4 is 2.8
  • Fulfill all financial obligations to the college.
  • Summer and Fall graduates from the preceding year are invited to attend the spring commencement. 
  • After applying, please continue to check your Westmoreland student email and this graduation page for more information and updates.

NOTE:  Developmental courses (those courses which have course numbers below 100) carry no quality points, may not be used to meet graduation requirements and will not transfer to all senior institutions.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY RESTRICTIONS: 
 
  • Guests should not bring anything they cannot carry 
  • All financial obligations must be paid
  • All current spring payment plans must be up-to-date 
  • Students with outstanding balances and/or not in payment status may not participate in any commencement activities