Graduation Requirements

Congratulations on completing your program at CIAT! Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this important milestone. We’re incredibly proud of your achievements and are here to support you as you embark on the next chapter of your journey.

1. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

  • Quantitative Progress: Students must complete their program within 150% of the program length.
  • Qualitative Progress: Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher.

2. GPA and Attendance Requirements

  • Overall GPA must be 2.0 or higher
  • Overall attendance should be 80%, per our attendance policy

3. Certification Requirements

CIAT is introducing certification requirements for students enrolled in select Computer Information Systems (CIS) programs requiring students to earn one or more industry certifications depending on the program. Students can earn any offered certifications to meet these requirements, allowing them to choose the certifications that best align with their career goals.

* Note: CIAT’s curriculum includes certification exam preparation from CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, Amazon, Google, etc.

4. Complete Canvas Module Requirements

  1. Students will be registered in the Future Graduate Module in Canvas during their last course.
  2. Complete the 4-step petition to graduate process in the Canvas module, which includes:
    • Reviewing financials
    • Completing employment verification
    • Scheduling Career Services assistance (if needed)
    • Sharing feedback
    • Updating contact information

Post-Graduation

Diploma/Certificate Issuance

  • Processing time: Within 90 days of graduation (last day of class), contingent upon financial clearance

* Note: Diplomas/certificates will be prepared and sent once all financial and registration clearances are confirmed

Commencement Ceremony

CIAT holds annual in-person graduation ceremonies. The next ceremony is scheduled for Friday, July 25th, 2025, at the Joan B. Kroc Theater in San Diego, California. For details on upcoming ceremonies, please check the CIAT Commencement Page.

Career Services

Our Career Services team is dedicated to helping you succeed in your professional journey. We offer:

* Note: Appointments can be scheduled through Handshake or by emailing careerservices@ciat.edu

Certification Exam Support

To enhance your employability and ensure you’re well-prepared for the workforce, CIAT offers the following certification exam support:

Exam Eligibility:

You have 180 days from your program completion date to take any of your complimentary eligible certification exams.

Preparation Resources:

    • We provide access to required practice test software for each eligible exam.
    • Our team offers tutoring sessions to help you prepare effectively for your certification exams.

Exam Readiness Process:

    • Request your practice software through the CIAT Student Resources page.
    • Complete at least two practice exams, achieving scores of 90% or higher on each.
    • Submit your practice exam scores to studentservicesteam@ciat.edu.
    • Upon verification of your scores, we’ll provide you with the exam voucher.

Handshake Access

  • Handshake is CIAT’s partner site for connecting graduates with potential employers
  • Access and password reset instructions are available through CIAT’s introduction to Handshake

Continuing Education

Bachelor’s Degree Opportunity

Consider enhancing your skills and increasing your career opportunities by earning a bachelor’s degree. This advancement offers numerous benefits:

  • Advanced knowledge in your field
  • Improved career advancement prospects
  • Increased earning potential
  • Personal growth and fulfillment

Take advantage of our stackable programs today! Your completed coursework can contribute towards higher qualifications, helping you save time and reduce costs as you advance in your education.

CIAT Graduate Scholarship

We offer a scholarship of up to $7,500 for CIAT graduates enrolling in a secondary degree program. See Details & Apply for Scholarship.

Financial Information

Balance Payoff Discount

We’re offering a discount of up to 10% when you pay off your balance in full. This can help you:

  • Save money on your education
  • Improve your credit standing
  • Clear your path for career growth

To review your balance, log in to your student portal under the ‘My Financials’ tab. For questions, contact our financial aid team at (877) 559-3621 or  financialaidteam@ciat.edu 

Graduation FAQ

Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.

 

Within 90 days of graduation (last day of class), contingent upon financial clearance.

Attendance at the commencement ceremony is not mandatory for CIAT graduates. The commencement ceremony is a celebratory event that graduates can choose to participate in either in-person or virtually, but it is not a requirement for completing their program or receiving their diploma or certificate.

Graduates should check the CIAT Commencement Page, which will be updated with all relevant information.

 

We have numerous resources to assist you in your career exploration and preparation. Make an appointment to discuss your individual goals or stop by the Office of Career Services Mon-Thu from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled in Handshake or by emailing

It is important to have an up-to-date, well-written, and well-formatted resume to make it easy for hiring managers, HR professionals, and applicant tracking systems to scan it. Typically, you only have 10 seconds to impress the person reading your resume, and if they do not see any skills that align with the position they are looking to fill, they will move on to the next applicant. With a well-written resume that highlights your skills and accomplishments, you will significantly boost your chances of landing an interview in this highly competitive market.

Additional Questions?

For any questions or concerns regarding graduation requirements or the graduation process, please contact your Student Success Advisor or email studentservicesteam@ciat.edu.

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2018 Academic Circle of Excellence award badge
military friendly school award 2023-2024
Fully Accredited School

2022 BEST CYBERSECURITY PROGRAMS

CIAT has been awarded top ranking status two years running in Intelligent.com’s Best Cybersecurity Program review, highlighted as “Best For Industry Certifications”. Evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

EC Council, the world's largest cybersecurity technical certification organization, awarded CIAT the Circle of Excellence Award two years in a row for our Certified Ethical Hacker certification training courses and career-ready curriculum.

MILITARY-FRIENDLY

We believe you deserve an education worthy of your service. CIAT welcomes military veterans, active duty service members, and spouses using the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E), Active Duty Tuition Assistance, and MyCAA.

FULLY ACCREDITED

We have high standards and we believe you should too. CIAT has proudly earned accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

2021 Best Cybersecurity Programs

2021 BEST CYBERSECURITY PROGRAMS

CIAT has been awarded top ranking status in Intelligent.com’s Best Cybersecurity Program review, highlighted as “Best For Industry Certifications”. Evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

2018 Academic Circle of Excellence award badge

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

EC Council, the world's largest cybersecurity technical certification organization, awarded CIAT the Circle of Excellence Award two years in a row for our Certified Ethical Hacker certification training courses and career-ready curriculum.

Military Friendly School '21-'22 logo

MILITARY-FRIENDLY

We believe you deserve an education worthy of your service. CIAT welcomes military veterans, active duty service members, and spouses using the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E), Active Duty Tuition Assistance, and MyCAA.

Fully Accredited School

FULLY ACCREDITED

We have high standards and we believe you should too. CIAT has proudly earned accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

Talk to an Advisor

Request an appointment with one of our IT expert Admissions Advisors for personalized guidance on building your education plan. You’ll be able to book an appointment instantly for a time that fits your schedule. 

Enrollment Deadline - September 23, 2024!

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