Congratulations Class of 2024

What if I complete my requirements in the Summer academic term. Can I participate in Spring commencement?
All Summer term program completers are invited to the Fall commencement ceremony.  

As a courtesy,  students who have met all graduation requirements and have 6 or less credits remaining and have registered for the remaining courses, may RSVP and participate in the Spring ceremony.  

Note: This policy may change from term to term based on the size of the graduating class and the venue hosting the ceremony.

 

If I have more than 6 credits and will complete my classes in the Summer term, may I participate in Spring Commencement?
Due to capacity limitations at venues students with 7 or more credits may not participant in the Spring commencement ceremony. All Summer term program completers are invited to the Fall commencement ceremony.

 

If I participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony and do not complete my program until the Summer academic term, will my name appear in the Spring commencement booklet?
Summer graduates will appear in the Fall Commencement booklet. If a Summer term completer RSVP's by the deadline date, every effort will be made to include them in the booklet but this is not a guarantee of inclusion.

The State of Florida requires students to meet a Civic Literacy requirement to graduate with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or bachelor’s degree.  To meet this requirement, a student must take and pass POS1041 Introduction to American Government or AMH2020 U.S. History after 1865 to present and as applicable the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE).

 

Is Civic Literacy a Graduation Requirement?
Yes. A student seeking an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or bachelor’s degree will have to demonstrate competency before being awarded a degree.

 

Who should take the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE)?
Prior to the award of an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or baccalaureate degree any student entering a Florida College System institution in the 2018-19 school year, and thereafter must demonstrate competency in civic literacy before graduation.

In Fall of 2022, and thereafter, students receiving an Associate in Arts (A.A.) Associate in Science (A.S.)/ Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) or baccalaureate degree must also demonstrate civic literacy competency.

 

How do I meet the Civic Literacy requirement? 
Beginning in 2022-23, both an assessment and a course are required to meet the civic literacy competency requirements for A.A., A.S. and baccalaureate students.  There are a few options to meet the course and assessment options:

Course Requirements — Students must successfully pass one of the following with a grade of C or higher:

AMH 2020: United States History from 1877 to Present
Or
POS 1041: American National Government

 

Civic Literacy assessment options and standard scores:

• Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE) – Score of 48 (or higher) out of 80 (at least 60%)
• CLEP American Government – Score of 50 (or higher) out of 80 (Will satisfy both course and assessment)
• AP American Government – Score of 3 (or higher) out of 5 (Will satisfy both course and assessment)
• AP United States History – Score of 4 (or higher) out of 5

 

When should I take the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE)?
The exam should be taken before a student’s final semester but no later than 15 business days before the end of the academic term.  This is to ensure that the student’s degree can be awarded on the College’s conferral date for the term.  Students who take the FCLE after this window may not have their degree conferred until the end of the next academic term and may not be able to participate in the ceremony.

 

How can I prepare for the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE)?
PBSC is offering several ways to support students to prepare for the FCLE.
Check out the many resources we have available to assist you in preparing to take your exam, By enrolling in our Graduation Awaits Canvas Course.  Click here to self-enroll and access the course materials.  Log into the canvas shell and complete a short survey to let us know if you (a) would attend the FREE FCLE bootcamp or (b) can study on your own and plan to pass the FCLE.  

The Library Learning Resources Centers offers a libguide to support students in understanding the requirements and help with preparation to pass the exam.  

Additional resources to support you. 

• Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE) Sample Items
• Supplemental Guide for the Florida Civic Literacy Examination
• FCLE Online Practice Test - You will have to take the practice exam as a guest. You cannot create your own account in the practice system. A score will not be provided at the end of the test. The answers to all online practice questions can be found in the FCLE Sample Items PDF document.

 

What does the FCLE cover? 
The FCLE assesses students' civic literacy competency. It includes 80 multiple-choice questions and four domains with 20 questions in each section (American Democracy, United States Constitution, Founding Documents, and Landmark Impact on Law and Society).

The passing score for the FCLE is 60%. 

For PBSC students, the first exam is free. Should a retake be needed, a $10 fee would apply.  For non-PBSC students, a fee of $10 will apply and thereafter. View testing fees.

Candidates can attempt an unlimited number of exams. Students cannot retest on the same day of taking this exam.

 

How do I take the test?
Students should speak with an academic advisor before contacting the testing center to schedule an appointment. 

Students can make an appointment to take the exam in the testing center using the College’s website. 

For PBSC students, the first exam is free. Should a retake be needed, a $10 fee would apply.  View testing fees.

Candidates can attempt an unlimited number of exams. Students cannot retest on the same day of taking this exam.

If you want to check your status or have additional questions, contact your academic advisor for assistance by either:

• Navigate
• Virtually through our advising queues.
• Visiting one of our five campus locations for in-person assistance.  |  View Hours

Diploma information 

Palm Beach State College provides all graduates with one courtesy degree or certificate. In addition, a digital copy will be made available to you. 

Your full legal name as it appears in Workday, will be on your diploma. 
Any changes to your legal name need to be submitted in Workday as soon as possible. Palm Beach State College cannot guarantee your correct name will be reflected on your degree if the request is submitted 15 business days before degree conferral or if it has already occurred.  

Please do not place an order for your diploma. It will be automatically mailed to the address on file in Workday. 

Financial holds prevent grades, transcripts, and diplomas from being released.

Transcripts reflect your degree has been conferred and can be ordered online. Your credentials (degrees and certificates) will be reflected on transcripts upon conferral.

 

When will I receive my certificate or diploma?
Diplomas are not distributed at the ceremony.  It takes about 8-12 weeks to confer degrees and prepare them for all program completers. Once the certificates and diplomas are ready they will be mailed via the United States Postal Service to the address on file in your student Workday record.  Palm Beach State College is not responsible for diplomas that are lost, damaged, or not delivered due to an incomplete or incorrect mailing address.

• Spring Graduates should anticipate receiving their certificate or diploma no later than the last day August. 
• Summer Graduates should anticipate receiving their certificate or diploma no later than the last day in October. 
• Fall Graduates should anticipate receiving their certificate or diploma no later than the last day of March.

 

Where will my diploma be sent?
Diplomas will be sent to the mailing address that is in your Workday Student portal. If your address has changed, please update it within 7 business days of your degree conferral.  This ensures that your certificate or diploma will be delivered to you. 

 

I need to prove that I have completed my program for another school or my employer, How do I prove that I have graduated? 
Should an employer or future school need proof that you graduated before you have received your diploma, you can order an official transcript that will reflect your awarded degree.

Transcripts are the official proof of degree conferral. You may order the record now and select-hold for degree and the record will be sent on your behalf as soon as the degree is posted to your academic record.  

Transcripts can be requested via our credentialing service Parchment for $5.00 per transcript.  It will require you to provide your personal information as well as the recipient of the transcript.  Orders are usually fulfilled within 1-3 business days. Please visit the transcripts web page for more information.  

 

I did not receive my certificate or diploma, what should I do?
If it has been more than 6 months since the anticipated date for the receipt of your degree, you may order a new diploma via our credentialing partner Parchment for $10.00

• Spring Graduates should anticipate receiving their certificate or diploma no later than the last day of August. 
• Summer Graduates should anticipate receiving their certificate or diploma no later than the last day in October. 
• Fall Graduates should anticipate receiving their certificate or diploma no later than the last day of March. 

 

I moved and my diploma was not forwarded to me, what should I do?   
Palm Beach State College is not responsible for diplomas that are lost, damaged, or not delivered due to an incomplete or incorrect mailing address.

Diplomas returned to Palm Beach State College will be held in the graduation office on the Lake Worth campus for 6 months. 

Any unclaimed diplomas or any diplomas returned as undeliverable by the USPS will be discarded after 6 months and must be reordered with full payment. 

If it has been less than 6 months, please contact the graduation office for assistance.

 

I want to have multiple certificates/diplomas; how can I order them? 
Once you have received the courtesy degree and all the information is correct. you may place an order for a duplicate diploma for $10.00.

Once your degree or certificate is conferred (posted) on your academic transcript your program status will be changed to non-degree seeking. Non-degree-seeking students are not financial aid eligible.

If you plan to pursue an additional degree or certificate, a program of study change through Workday will be required.  This change can be done in advance to be effective for the next academic term.  

Not submitting a change of program may have an adverse impact on your eligibility for financial aid.

Students are encouraged to speak with an academic advisor to understand their next steps and options to continue their studies.

 

How do I submit a program of study change?
Students can submit a program of study change in Workday.  Please use this link for instructions to submit the form. It will require you to sign in using your PBSC credentials. Requests are processed in the order received and can take 15-20 business days to process. If you need assistance please contact Admissions. 

 

Can I take classes as a non-degree-seeking student?
Yes, you can take classes as a non-degree-seeking student.  Students who are non-degree seeking are not eligible to receive financial aid. 

 

Can I still take classes using the degree that was just conferred instead of being non-degree seeking? 
Once a degree is conferred, students without a program of study change become non-degree seeking and no additional classes will be used for that conferred degree. Students can declare a new program of study or take courses as a non-degree-seeking student. You are encouraged to speak with an Academic Advisor regarding your next steps. 

 

I am applying to a limited access program and need to take some pre-requisite courses; can I use that program objective?
Students can not declare a limited access program as their program of study.  The student must apply and be accepted to a limited-access program. If a student needs to take additional courses, they can take them as non-degree-seeking student.  You are encouraged to speak with an Academic Advisor regarding your next steps. 

Graduation Office

Email: graduation@palmbeachstate.edu