Ventura College Overview
The City of Ventura is currently home to 109,527 people. Astonishingly, it’s estimated that 10.76% of the city’s residents are enrolled at its public community college, Ventura College This institution for higher learning is part of the Ventura County Community College District, including Oxnard College, and Moorpark College. In 2024, the 112-acre campus was home to 11,789 students, with 3,383 full-time and 8,406 part-time students. Recent modernization initiatives have provided funding for much-needed updates to the college’s infrastructure and online student portal, making this college a top choice for those currently in the workforce, and returning to school to advance their careers.
Nestled at the foot of the Topatopa Mountains, and only 5 minutes from the Ventura Beaches.
For those who wish to transfer to a 4-year institution, academic programs offer plenty of pathways to continue studies in popular majors like Business, Psychology, and Sciences. They also offer trade programs for automotive mechanics, manufacturing & welding, and agriculture or water science. 2-year programs are also available and popular choices include nursing, criminal justice, child development & early education. Smaller class sizes offer students a personal feel to students, and student support programs are available to aid in success.
It’s unique and affordable.
It’s flexible and doable.
Hang that piece of paper that society insists you have on your wall.
Going into this semester I knew I checked all the boxes needed to earn my A.S. in Social Media Marketing. No one tells you that you need to apply for your degree.
I almost missed the deadline.
You won’t though, because here’s the how-to guide on applying for graduation (associates or certificates) at Ventura College.
Understanding the Process
Meeting with an academic counselor each semester will help you stay on track and reach completion. The admissions office can assist with applying credits taken at another institution. Academic counselors are also available to help you decide on a career path or help with Academic renewal, probation, or other situations that you may encounter.
Eligibility Criteria for Graduation
It’s important to understand the course requirements for completion of your program as defined by the college. I recommend visiting the Program Mapper page located on the Ventura College website. Locate your program, then compare your unofficial transcript with the program map. If you have checked all the boxes by the end of that semester, you’re ready to start the process (If not, then at least you know what courses remain for you to complete).
Key Dates & Deadlines
Although there is no official deadline to submit your application, there is a cutoff date to participate in the Graduation ceremony. I recommend checking the student calendar for any information about deadlines. It is also good to know when the ceremony will take place in case you need to request a date off of work or want to invite people. Holidays or office closures will also be listed to avoid unavailable staff.
Step-by-Step Guide
A staff member of the academic counseling department is the correct person to engage at this point and you can find more information here VC Website Link.
I’ll save you a click.
Call (805) 289-6457 or make an appointment through your MyVCCCD portal by clicking on Starfish
Graduation application deadlines are listed in the Registration Calendar
Starfish is located in your MyVCCCD Portal as shown below:
Schedule an appointment by using the online tool:
Select a reason for the visit: Apply for a degree or certification
Select a Counselor – I recommend choosing one that specializes in your program of study
Make an appointment – remote meetings are available!
You will review your transcript with the counselor and they will confirm you have met the requirements. Shortly after the meeting, they will submit the application on your behalf, and ask if you would like to participate in the graduation ceremony. You will then receive a confirmation email with more information about your application.
The process is quick and as long as you complete your current classes in your field of study with a C or better, you’re qualified. A third party will send you your diploma or certificate about 8 weeks after the end of the semester.
Preparing for the Ceremony
You will receive an automated email from Ventura College that asks if you would like to participate in the ceremony. You can request up to 4 tickets, and children under two do not require one to enter. The email will contain all the information about buying your gown, which is about $50.
Resources and Support
If you have any questions, you can always reach out to the academic counseling office and they can do their best to assist you, or point you in the direction of the correct department on campus.
Conclusion
Congratulations. The most important thing about this accomplishment is you completed something you started. The pathway to completion is available on the user-friendly program mapper and support is available at the academic counseling office. I wish you luck on your continued education and I hope you find this guide helpful when your time to apply for graduation approaches.
Stay current by following the VC Social Instagram page or sharing it with friends. Ventura College is host to one of the only social media marketing programs, we appreciate your support and engagement.
Cheers to the next class of students in this program and many more in the future.
Written by Nick Lerma
I am a VC student who previously attended several colleges including Ventura/Santa Barbara City Colleges, The Los Angeles Recording School, & The Culinary Institute of America. I am currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in Business. My professional experience consists of digital audio production and on-air broadcasting (Cumulus Media ’07-’10), supporting business information systems (’10-’13, ’17-’20), Hospitality (’14-’17), and Sales/Marketing (’20-’24).
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