To be eligible for the College & Career Readiness graduation ceremony, you must meet one of the follow criteria:

• Taken at least one of your official high school equivalency tests at Wake Tech
• Enrolled in courses at Wake Tech within the program year

If you are unsure if you meet this criteria, email [email protected] to confirm your eligibility.

For those who qualify, invitations to register for the ceremony will be sent to the personal email you provided to our office, so watch for an email from [email protected]. All High School Equivalency testing scores and Adult High School requirements must be completed and received by our office prior to the stated deadline.

Students must reply to the RSVP registration email to participate. Wake Tech utilizes Tassel to provide a streamlined graduation ceremony. During the registration process, graduates need to complete the entire registration survey and name recording procedure to ensure their name is pronounced correctly during the ceremony.

Once the registration survey is properly submitted, graduates will immediately receive a confirmation email. The email will include instructions to access the Tassel graduation portal and the graduate's personal Stage Pass (previously known as GradPass) required for the ceremony.

Regalia

Regalia (cap, gown and tassel) is required to participate in the ceremony.

Regalia may be purchased at the Wake Tech Bookstore. The bookstores are open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the following locations:

• Southern Wake Campus
  Building K
  9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
  919-341-5560
• Scott Northern Wake Campus
  Building C, Room 126
  6600 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, NC 27616
  919-341-7525

Cap and gown cost is $45.98, including tax. When purchasing your cap and gown, please specify your program with the sales associate. The Adult High School tassel is white, while the high school equivalency (GED^® or HiSET^®) tassel is gold.

Ceremony

• Dress appropriately in dressy or business casual clothing underneath your regalia. Graduates without proper attire will not be allowed to participate. Graduate lineup is on a different level than the ceremony, so flat footwear is advised, as you will be standing for periods of time as well as navigating stairs during the processional.
   
• Each graduate who registers before the deadline will receive a Stage Pass with a special QR code from Tassel to scan in as they cross the stage.
  Graduates may access the Stage Pass in their Tassel portal and are encouraged to print it prior to the ceremony and bring it with them to avoid technical difficulties. Graduates must have a paper copy of the Stage Pass to walk the stage. Digital copies will not be accepted.
  When you arrive, check in at the reception desk as you enter Building K. You will scan your Stage Pass to check in and be directed to an assigned room on the second floor.
  Do not bring any items other than your regalia and Stage Pass, as there is no place to store items during the ceremony. Your Stage Pass must be taken to the stage with you; do not leave it in your chair. When you approach the stage, your Stage Pass will be scanned, and you will be directed to the stage as your name is announced.
   
• Tickets are not required to attend the ceremony, and there is no limit on the number of guests a graduate can invite. But seating is first-come, first-served.
   
• Safety and security measures will include monitoring all items entering the building. No one will be permitted to enter with any of the following items:
  • Weapons (including pocketknives, Tasers, Mace and firearms)
  • Balloons
  • Noise makers
  • Baby strollers and/or carriers
  • Book bags, backpacks, briefcases, etc.
  • Gifts or packages of any kind
  • Flowers or floral arrangements
  • Food or drink
  • Other items deemed inadmissible by security personnel
     
• As each graduate crosses the stage, photos will be taken by a professional photographer. Each student will receive an email from the photographer with a link to the photographer's website and instructions to view their graduation photographs.
  A free color proof also will be mailed to the permanent address on record, and students will have the opportunity to purchase color prints and/or products. If you do not receive a proof within 10 days of the ceremony, email [email protected] or call 919-967-9576. To preregister to receive proofs, visit the Photo Specialties website.
   
• To be respectful of all graduates as they walk across the stage, we ask that family and friends do not make excessive noise that might prevent names from being heard.
   
• When the ceremony is over, stop by the reception desk to pick up your certificate of recognition before you leave the building.

Transcript and diploma

To order your transcript and/or diploma, contact DiplomaSender.