Memorial Day Holiday
Our administrative offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. More Details
Ready to graduate? This is your go-to hub for everything you need to cross that finish line. From applying for graduation and meeting important deadlines to getting your diploma and ordering transcripts for transfer — it’s all here. Take a deep breath, you’re almost there. Let’s get you to the finish line with no surprises.
Applying for Graduation
- Students must apply for graduation to receive a degree from OCC. The graduation application is available through Student Planning. Please login to your Ocean Connect account and click on Student Planning. Go to the Home page and select Graduation Overview.
- Students should submit an Application for Graduation after registering for their final semester of courses at OCC.
- Students approaching graduation should contact the Advising Office to request a graduation audit. Email advisingoffice@ocean.edu after you register for your final semester, and let us know when you plan to graduate. An advisor will check your coursework and confirm if you have registered for all of your remaining requirements.
Graduation Deadlines
The deadlines to apply for graduation are:
- Fall Completion: November 1
- Spring Completion: March 1
- Summer Completion: July 1
- *If the deadline date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline date will be the next business day.
- Deadlines for applications are firm.
- Please submit your Application for Graduation before or no later than the deadline.
- Anyone applying after the stated deadline will automatically be placed into the next semester’s graduation.
- The best time to submit your Application for Graduation is right after registering for your final semester.
- ALL STUDENTS – The Lampitt Law regulates the transfer of courses from NJ county colleges to 4-year NJ state schools for students earning an AA or AS degree. You will receive a notation of graduation status on your permanent transcript and the ability to include this degree on your resume.
- NURSING STUDENTS – Graduation is required for you to take the NCLEX exam to obtain a nursing license. Questions can be directed to the Nursing Department at 732.255.0400 Ext. 395.
- Students may contact the Advising and Transfer Services Office at 732.255.0300 for assistance with a degree audit or to discuss their graduation status.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed to students to the address on file with the college. The college is not responsible for diplomas lost in the mail (usually due to a student moving and not providing the college with an updated address). The college cannot reprint diplomas, so please make sure your address is correct.
- Fall completion – Diplomas will be mailed in mid-March
- Spring completion – Diplomas will be mailed in mid-July
- Summer completion graduates – Diplomas will be mailed in mid-October
- Certificate Of Completion & Certificate of Proficiency
- Students applying for a Certificate must complete and submit their application at the Office of Registration & Records.
Transcripts
If you are transferring to another school, and need your transcripts to reflect your status as a graduate, please note this information will not automatically appear on a transcript until approximately two weeks after the graduation date.