Residency Requirements
To receive a degree or certificate from Odessa College, students must complete a minimum of 25% of the semester credit hours required for the degree or certificate, excluding developmental or awarded credits, at Odessa College. Awarded credits include CLEP, AP, and other advanced standing credits that did not require course attendance for the full term.
Graduation with Honors
A candidate for the associate degree who has completed at least 30 semester hours in residence at Odessa College will be eligible for graduation with honors. Using the graduation grade point average, a student with a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.699 will be graduated cum laude, a student with a grade point average of 3.7 to 3.899 will be graduated magna cum laude, and a student with a grade point average of 3.90 to 4.0 will be graduated summa cum laude.
For the purpose of the commencement program and the commencement ceremony, the GPA used to calculate honors will be the graduation GPA for the immediately preceding semester. After all grades are submitted, the graduation GPA will be recalculated for the honors designation on the diploma and official transcript.
Planning and Applying for Degrees and Certificates
Students working toward a degree or certificate should consult with their Student Success Coach and faculty advisor early in their academic career to ensure that all required courses are being completed. The student is responsible for using Student Planner to track their academic progress. The student will use Student Planner to confirm graduation information after registering for the final courses needed to complete the degree.
Graduate Guarantee
In April of 1992, the Odessa College Board of Trustees adopted a resolution which guarantees, with certain limitations, the associate degrees and certificates awarded by OC. The guarantee refers to the transferability of academic credits and technical job skills. Specific details concerning this guarantee may be obtained through the office of the vice president for instruction.
Catalog Applicability
Due to degree plan enhancements as a result of Texas SB 497, students are encouraged to consult with a Student Success Coach to determine if the current catalog offers an advantage over a previously selected catalog. Students may elect to remain in a prior catalog, providing no more than seven years have elapsed since the degree plan was assigned. If the time limit has passed and students still wish to be certified on the basis of the requirements of the catalog under which they first entered, they must petition for such certification to the appropriate dean.
Due to changing requirements for some career, technical and workforce education programs students may be required to follow the most up-to-date degree plan for their major. Students can check their program’s website for the most-up-to-date degree plan.
Graduating students always have the option of graduating under the catalog in effect at the time of completion. The decision as to which catalog will apply for graduation should be made only after consultation with the appropriate department chair and Student Success Coach.
Applying for Graduation
Students completing degree requirements during the fall or midwinter are invited to participate in the fall graduation ceremony. Students who complete requirements in the spring, Maymester, or summer terms will be invited to participate in the spring graduation ceremony unless unusual circumstances prevent such participation.
To receive an associate degree from Odessa College, students must complete degree requirements as set forth in the catalog. Students also must complete the Student Planner graduation application online. Upon confirmation of eligibility to graduate, each student will receive an email notification with personalized information. Students who commit to participate in the graduation ceremony may receive one cap and gown set to wear. Limit one set per student.
Students may purchase additional graduation supplies including tassels, invitations, jewelry, etc., from the Odessa College Bookstore.
Second Degrees
Students who previously earned a degree at Odessa College may apply for a second degree after all stated degree requirements for the second degree have been completed. Students seeking two degrees simultaneously must meet residency requirements (minimum of 15 semester hours) and specific major requirements before each degree will be awarded.
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