Apply to Graduate
- Check Eligibility: It is the student’s responsibility to run a program evaluation to confirm all requirements are complete. In Self-Service, select “Go to Progress” and ensure the program displayed is your current program. Address any questions with your Faculty Advisor, as shown in Self-Service.
- Complete Application: In Self-Service, select “Go to Progress” and ensure the program displayed is your current program. Under “Graduation Overview,” make sure your correct program is shown. If you are applying for two degrees, notify the Advising Office to activate an additional program.
- Review and Pay: Make sure your correct program is displayed. All candidates will have a non-refundable $15 processing fee upon submission of the graduation application. This fee includes the cost of the diploma. After the initial Graduation Application deadline, students will no longer be able to complete an online graduation application and must instead fill out a paper application in the Registrar's office. The $15 application fee, plus the $15 late fee, must be paid at the Cashier's office before turning in the paper application.
- Degree & Certificate Checklist
- Graduation Eligibility
- Graduation FAQ's
- Commencement Ceremony
- Commencement FAQs
Degree & Certificate Checklist
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all necessary information has been provided to process awards. Please review the following carefully.
- Do you have any outstanding charges?
- Do we have the correct mailing address for your certificate/degree?
- Have you completed all coursework by the deadline?
- If you have any questions regarding Graduation or renting Regalia, please contact the Registrar’s office.
Please contact the Registrar’s office if you have changes in mailing information from what you submitted on the Application for Graduation.
Graduation Eligibility
- Catalog Requirements
- Meet all requirements for the program as defined in assigned catalog edition.
- Grades
- Students must earn a minimum grade of "C-" in all required courses to meet graduation requirements unless otherwise stated in a particular program.
- GPA
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher is required for graduation.
- Graduation Residency Requirement
- Students must complete no fewer than 25% of their credit requirement through College of Eastern Idaho.
- Graduation Eligibility
- The Registrar’s Office follows the requirements defined in a single edition of CEI's catalog.
- Students may select any edition of the catalog from their date of enrollment to the completion of their program as long as you are continuously enrolled.
- If Students do not maintain continuous enrollment, they will lose the right to use the original catalog requirements and must use the current catalog edition at the time of re-enrollment.
- Change or Add Program
- Students who plan to graduate with a different or additional certificate/degree must submit the “Intent to Change or Add Program” form to the Advising office. An academic advisor will make the required changes.
- Important Application Dates
- Last day to turn in online Grad Application without incurring the late fee for Spring and Summer 2025 semesters: 2/1/25
- Last day to turn in late paper Grad Application to graduate in the Spring 2025 semester: 5/16/25
- Last day to turn in late paper Grad Application to graduate in the Summer 2025 semester: 8/1/25
Graduation FAQ's
Who should apply to graduate?
Any student who will complete all eligibility requirements for their program in the current term. Graduation applications are valid only for the term you are applying for. If you do not qualify to graduate in the term you applied for, a new application and fee must be submitted.
Regardless of participation in commencement, an application is required to notify the Registrar’s Office that the student is completing a program.
How do I change my name or address on my diploma?
- Legal Name Change: Bring required paperwork to the Registrar's Office for assistance. You can find the requirements in our Registrar FAQ and our name change Form:
- Please notify the Registrar's Office if you would like to display a chosen name on your diploma.
- Address Change: The graduate must provide an accurate mailing address to ensure that degrees/certificates are mailed to the correct location.
How do I ensure junior status when transferring to a university?
To ensure eligibility of junior status upon transferring to a university, students must graduate from CEI with their associate degree.
When should I apply to graduate?
The application deadline can be found on the online CEI calendar and via emails from the Registrar’s office.
- After the deadline, applicants must submit a paper application.
- A $15 late fee will be assessed to any application submitted after the application deadline.
How do I get an affidavit for my program requirements?
Students in programs that require affidavits (i.e., Surgical Technology, Practical Nursing, and Registered Nursing) will have their affidavits sent by the Registrar's office as part of their graduation verification processes after the semester ends. Students will need to make sure Exit Counseling for financial aid is complete and that all fees owed to the Business Office are paid to avoid delays in processing.
What are the requirements for Honor Cords?
Students may be eligible to wear an honor cord depending on Cumulative GPA. The May commencement ceremony takes place before spring and summer grades are finalized. Therefore, honors recognition at commencement is based on the institutional GPA for graduation from the student’s most recently completed semester, usually the fall term.
- Silver Cord: Cumulative GPA 3.50 to 3.749
- Gold Cord: Cumulative GPA 3.75 to 4.0
Commencement Ceremony
Don't miss your opportunity to walk for graduation. Find out all the details about this year's commencement ceremony.
The 2025 CEI Commencement Ceremony will be held on May 13th, 2025 at 7pm at the Mountain America Center on 1690 Event Center Dr in Idaho Falls. It generally lasts no longer than 1.5 to 2 hours.
RSVP
Students mark whether they would like to attend Commencement when filling out their Graduation Application. If their Commencement attendance decision changes after filling out the application, please notify the Registrar’s office.
Important Dates
- Last Day to order Associate Regalia from Jostens: 4/7/25 (Ships within 5 weeks)
- Last Day to order Certificate Regalia from Jostens: 4/21/25 (Ships within 3 weeks)
- Last day to turn in late Grad Application to have your name printed in the Commencement Program: 4/4/25
The CEI Bookstore has a limited number of regalia items available for purchase while supplies last. If you missed the above deadlines to order regalia through Jostens, you may check if the Bookstore or if the Registrar’s office has leftover regalia items.
Rental Regalia Program
The CEI Registrar’s Office rents a limited number of associates and certificate regalia - caps, gowns, and hoods (hoods are for associates only). The rental program begins March 3, 2025 and runs until May 9, 2025 or until supplies run out. There is a flat $15 rental fee that is used to dry clean regalia after rentals are returned. Regalia is available on a first come, first served basis and no reservations via email or telephone are accepted. Students must come in person to sign a rental agreement form and pay the fee before picking up regalia. The Registrar’s office is located in bldg. 3 rm. 353 and is open Mon-Fri between 8-5.
Honor cords, tassels, stoles, and other optional accessories may be purchased in the CEI bookstore. If you are a veteran, a veteran cord can be obtained in the Registrar’s office for free. If you are a member of Phi Theta Kappa, please reach out to Bailey Winn for information on PTK Graduation pins and stoles.
Please note: If students would like to decorate their cap, they must purchase a cap from the Bookstore as rented caps may not be modified.
Commencement FAQ's
Who may participate?
All CEI students who have applied for graduation during the Fall, Spring, or Summer term in the current academic year are invited to participate in Commencement. Additionally, 4th year Workforce Training students in the Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Apprenticeship programs are invited to walk in Commencement. (Workforce Training students do not need to turn in a Graduation Application but they do need to purchase or rent CEI Regalia.)
Who may I invite to watch the ceremony?
You may invite up to 8 guests. Please note that there are no tickets and seating at the Mountain America Center is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
I may need special seating for someone I invite, what should I do?
We encourage you to call ahead to reserve special accommodation seating for guests with accessibility needs at 208-535-5476.
Do I have to wear regalia in order to walk?
Yes, you will not be allowed to participate in Commencement if you are not wearing the correct blue CEI regalia.
What to Expect at the Ceremony
Graduating students need to arrive at the Mountain America Center beginning at 6:30 pm as the ceremony begins promptly at 7 pm. Students will pick up their name cards at the table in the hallway while guests will seat themselves in the auditorium. Students will keep the name cards with them, check them for spelling, and make notes on pronunciation if needed so the announcer pronounces their name correctly. Students will line up with their fellow program graduates (signs are provided indicating where to line up) and will follow the CEI staff members directions when it is time to proceed into the auditorium. After the processional music stops, students will sit at their seats and the program will begin. When it is time for graduates to walk across the stage and receive their diploma cover, CEI staff members will direct one row at a time to stand and line up for the stage crossing. Students will hand their name cards to the announcer, walk across the stage, then return to their seats. Once the ceremony is complete, students will leave the auditorium row by row in a recessional that will take them outside the Mountain America Center where guests may meet them for photos and congratulations.
When will I Receive My Diploma?
Students will receive their official diplomas in the mail to the address they put on their appllications. Diplomas will be mailed out anywhere from 6-12 weeks after Commencement regardless of participation. For further questions on this process, please contact the Registrar’s office.
When Will my Degree be Listed on my Transcript?
Students degrees will not be stamped on Official or Unofficial Transcripts until the graduation verification process is complete. This may take anywhere from 4-12 weeks after final grades are submitted. Please keep watch of your CEI email for notification of when final grade and degree verification processing is completed. If students need to send a transcript with their degree listed, please either wait until after receiving these notifications or be sure to mark the transcript to “hold for degree” on the online ordering site. For those requiring a transcript sooner, please reach out to your transfer school/workplace to explain that final degrees are not ready yet and oftentimes, they may accept a temporary unofficial transcript with final grades until degrees are ready to send. For additional questions on transcript ordering, please contact the Registrar’s office.
Does CEI Record or Livestream the Ceremony?
No, CEI does not livestream or record the ceremony. Guests may record, livestream, and take photos as long as there is no flash or disruption to those around them.
What Items are Not Allowed in the Mountain America Center?
The following items are prohibited due to Mountain America Center Policy:
- Balloons, confetti cannons, glitter, glass vases, & noisemakers of any kind.
- Weapons of any kind – including pocket knives, guns, tasers, etc.
- All outside food/beverages. (Candy leis are allowed.)
- Any items related to or used for smoking, vaping, or tobacco use.
- Animals; except for service animals as defined by the American Disabilities Act.”
If I am Not Able to Attend Commencement, How Do I Obtain A Diploma Cover?
For those not attending Commencement, diploma covers may be picked up for free in the Registrar’s office anytime between 8-5 Mon-Fri. Diploma covers may also be obtained at the end of semester Grad Fest event (see email for details).