Information for Graduates

Important Dates and Deadlines

Additional Deadlines for Masters and Specialists Degree Candidates

Graduation Checklist

• All undergraduate students must inform the University of their intended graduation by submitting an Intent To Graduate. You must do this in order for your records to be reviewed for eligibility for graduation, for your diploma to be ordered, and for your name to be in the printed commencement program. You must apply by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 30 , 2012 for your name to be in the spring 2012 printed program. Students who turn in their Intent to Graduate after this date (provided they are eligible for graduation) may still participate in the Commencement ceremony, but will not be included in the printed program and will experience an additional 6-8 week wait for their diploma past the published mailing date. There are no exceptions to the printed program deadline due to printing deadlines.
  
  If you file electronically through My Missouri State, you will receive an immediate confirmation message that your submission has been received as well as some basic graduation information in your confirmation e-mail, so this is the recommended method of submission. It is recommended that you keep a copy of this confirmation.  If you use either of the other methods, you will need to get this information from the Commencement website. Please make sure to submit your name exactly as you wish for it to appear on your diploma. Please make sure that you enter the correct semester. You can do this by going to your advising notes and verifying that the "Declared graduation date" line in the Student Information box shows your intended semester of graduation. Please wait 3-5 business days before attempting to verify this in order to give our staff enough time to process your Intent to Graduate.  
  
  Seniors may submit an online Intent to Graduate through My Missouri State. The link to the Intent to Graduate form is on the Commencement channel on the Academics tab. Seniors who do cannot access My Missouri State may complete a .pdf version of the Intent to Graduate but will not receive a confirmation and information e-mail like those who file electronically. This request can be faxed or  scanned/e-mailed to the Office of the Registrar at Registrar@missouristate.edu. The Intent to Graduate must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012 for inclusion in the spring 2012 printed commencement program.
  
  Masters, specialists, and doctorate candidates must submit an online Application for Graduation through the Graduate College web site. The commencement program deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012 applies to graduate students as well. There are no exceptions to the printed program deadline due to printing deadlines. Students who apply after this date will experience an additional 6-8 week wait for their diploma past the published mailing date.
  
• Seniors should review their degree audit to see if they have fulfilled all academic requirements for graduation. It is recommend that you review your degree audit as soon as you have registered for your final semester of classes. Students who have questions concerning their graduation requirements, should contact their academic advisor or a Degree Check staff in the Office of the Registrar, Carrington Hall 320, 836-5520.
• Seniors must take the University Exit Exam (formerly known as the University Assessment Exam or General Education Exit Assessment Exam). Registration for this exam takes place through the general registration system by enrolling in GEN 499. See the University Exit Exam website for further detail about the exam. Failure to complete the University  Exit Exam prior to commencement will prevent a student from graduating. There is no statute of limitation on the validity of the exam once it is completed.
• Masters, specialists, and doctorate candidates must consult with their advisor and/or the Graduate College to determine if all degree requirements will be met.
• Verify your permanent home address through the "My Missouri State" system. Students who need to change their permanent address may do so online through My Missouri State or fill out a Change of Address form through the Office of the Registrar.

• Clear all holds such as overdue library books and fines, outstanding financial obligations to the University, etc. While a hold does not prevent graduation, it does prevent the release of your diploma and/or transcript until the hold is resolved.
• Students who have borrowed a federal Stafford student loan are required to complete exit counseling prior to graduation at http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/SaEcWelcome.do. While failure to complete exit counseling does not prevent graduation, it's important to follow through with this procedure so that your lenders will be updated regarding your graduation date.
• Student who are not planning to participate in the spring 2012 commencement ceremony, may pick up a diploma cover in the Office of the Registrar, Carrington Hall 320, beginning May 14, 2012. Commencement ceremony participation is optional and does not affect your official graduation status.

Graduation Announcements

Option 1: Order your announcements online at: http://www.herffjones.com/college/missouristate (link activated once site is available).

Option 2: Go to the Graduation Celebration at the MSU Bookstore on the following date to purchase announcements from Herff Jones: March 7-8, 2012 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Your degree, major, and time of ceremony are printed on the announcement.  If you do not know your degree or title of your major, use the My Missouri State find the information on record. If you are unsure of your college, check the list of colleges and departments. See below for the division of ceremonies.

Caps, Gowns, Tassels, Hoods

All graduates are required to wear authorized caps, gowns, hoods (as applicable) and tassels. Cap and gown package purchase prices are bachelors-$29.99; masters-$58.98 (including hood); specialists-$64.98 (including hood); doctors-$69.98 (includes hood).

Option 1: Order online at http://www.herffjones.com/college/missouristate (link activated once site is available) and have your cap/gown mailed to your home address. The web site for ordering caps and gowns will close on April 10, 2012.

Option 2: Go to the Graduation Celebration at the MSU Bookstore on the following date to purchase cap/gown: March 7-8, 2012 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. You will be able to pick up the cap and gown.

Option 3: If you miss the April 10, 2012 deadline for ordering online, you may purchase your cap/gown at the Bookstore on May 14-17, 2012 or at the main floor of Hammons Student Center at Commencement on May 18, 2012 one hour prior to eachceremony.

Scholastic Honors

Students who have questions regarding scholastic honors should first read the academic regulations and then contact the Degree Check staff in the Office of the Registrar, (417) 836-5520, Carrington 320 with any questions. Students who are eligible for scholastic honors recognition may pick up their cordon on the main floor of Hammons Student Center on the day of Commencement.

As noted in the academic regulation for scholastic honors link, Commencement recognition is based on GPA eligibilty at the conclusion of the preceding semester (fall 2011). Spring 2012 grades have not been officially submitted at the time of Commencement. There are no exceptions to this policy. Final scholastic honors eligibility (including spring 2012 grades) will be recognized on the diploma and academic transcript.

NOTE: Transfer students must complete a minimum of 60 undergraduate credit hours at Missouri State University prior to official graduation to qualify for any honors. Additionally, honors are based on the LOWEST GPA of your Missouri State GPA and your combined GPA.

NOTE: Graduate students are not eligible for scholastic honors.

Division of Commencement Ceremonies

Friday, May 18, 2012

There are three ceremonies and division is by college of major (program of study).  If you are unsure of your college, check the list of colleges and departments.  

• Masters and Specialists degree candidates will march with the college of their major (program of study.)

• Education majors will march with the college of their major. Please see the following examples:

  Business Education majors would walk with the College of Business Administration.

  Music Education majors would walk with the College of Arts and Letters since Music is a department within the College of Arts and Letters.

  Physical Education majors would walk with the College of Health and Human Services since Health, Physical Education, and Recreation is a department within the College of Health and Human Services.

• Child and Family Development, Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and Special Education majors are in the College of Education. Secondary education majors do not walk as part of the College of Education.

• The Administrative Studies (Master of Science) major is a cross-disciplinary program with multiple option areas. Students are encouraged to participate in the ceremony of the college to which their selected option area is assigned.
• Individualized majors (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) are interdisciplinary by nature. Students pursing an individualized major are encouraged to participate in the ceremony of the college to which their primary department (and advisor) are assigned.

10:00 a.m. Ceremony

College of Arts and Letters
College of Education
College of Humanities and Public Affairs
Global Studies majors

1:30 p.m. Ceremony

College of Health and Human Services
College of Natural and Applied Sciences
William H. Darr School of Agriculture

5:00 p.m. Ceremony

College of Business Administration

Commencement Day Instructions
JQH Arena

Friday, May 18, 2012

• The ceremony will start promptly and will last approximately 90 minutes.  No tickets are required and there is no reserved seating. The event is open to the public and the doors to both Hammons Student Center (for graduate candidate lineup) and JQH Arena (for Commencement guests) will open one hour prior to the beginning of the ceremony.
• Graduates are to assemble on the main floor of Hammons Student Center no later than 45 minutes prior to the start of their assigned ceremony.  Further directions will be given at that time.
• Please do not bring umbrellas, cameras, purses, or any other items with you to either Hammons Student Center or JQH Arena.  You are not permitted to carry them in the Procession and there will be no place to secure them.
• Graduates will be required to march from the main floor of Hammons Student Center to the main floor of JQH Arena.  If you need special accommodations of any type, you should notify Mr. Thomas Lane in the Student Union Administrative Offices at (417) 836-5886 no later than four weeks before commencement.
• Graduates will be led down to the arena floor in two lines. The right hand line will be seated on the left side of the arena floor (facing the stage): the left hand line will be seated on the right side of the arena floor (facing the stage).  If you want to sit next to someone, that person must either be in front or behind you, not to the side of you.  The chairs on the arena floor are in rows of 10.  So there is a 1 in 10 chance that you will not get to sit next to that person.
• At a certain point the President and the Provost will introduce the various candidates for degrees. The graduates will proceed forward to have their names read and to receive a diploma cover by one of the Board of Governors. At this moment your picture will be taken by a professional photographer and you will receive a proof of the photograph plus information on ordering prints within three weeks.
• When all graduates names have been announced, the ceremony will end with the singing of the Alma Mater and a recessional of Platform party, faculty, and graduates out of the arena. 

• In fair weather the graduates will be marched out of the northwest entrance of JQH Arena.  Graduates are requested to prearrange a meeting place with their guests at a location outside the Arena.

Special Accommodations

Graduates will be required to march from the main floor of Hammons Student Center to the main floor of JQH Arena. If you need special accommodations of any type, you should notify Mr. Andrew Wright, Commencement Chair and Assistant Vice-President/Director of Admissions, at (417) 836-5517 no later than one week prior to the ceremony.

The University must have at least one week notice of any disability accommodation (other than seating) for  guests in order to serve the needs identified. That notice must be to Mr. Andrew Wright, Commencement Chair and Assistant Vice-President/Director of Admissions, at (417) 836-5517. There is no need to contact Mr. Wright for seating accommodation, which is described below.

Special (non-reserved) seating areas are available for guests with permanent or temporary disabilities. No stairways are encountered. Guests in wheelchairs as well as those who are unable to climb stairs are permitted in these areas. Due to space limitations, we ask that only one other family member be seated with the guest in the special areas. There are no reservation taken for these seats. To seek assistance in locating this seating, you may see one of the ushers located at the entrances the day of the ceremony. 

Proper Dress and Decorum for Commencement

• Please make sure that the clothing you wear will appear in good taste when the gown is removed. Tassels are worn on the left side of cap. Caps are worn flat on the head.
• Only approved academic regalia can be worn in the ceremony. Signs or slogans on top of cap are not permitted and will be removed. Only scholastic honors are recognized as a part of the regalia. No honorary cordons or pins (from departmental or national organizations), scarves, jewelry or corsages may be worn on the outside of the robe.
• Ceremonial procedure follows closely the code adopted by the American Council on Education. This code calls for all persons, men and women, to wear the cap during all purely academic activities. Neither men nor women will remove caps for the National Anthem.
• Commencement guests are requested to remain in their seats during the entire ceremony and to respect the rights of others to view the ceremony in its entirety, without being distracted or having their view blocked by others.
• Persons are also requested to refrain from applauding except at times when invited to do so. Loud applause, cheers, etc., often cause the names of some graduates to be "drowned out." Each graduate deserves equal recognition for his/her accomplishment. Guests will be given the opportunity to applaud their graduate.
• The awarding of a college degree comes at the end of many years of hard work and dedication.  The dignity of the college degree and of the academic community should be recognized.  Each person who achieves this goal might view it in a slightly different manner. Each student must respect the rights of his/her colleagues and not celebrate that achievement in a way which infringes on the rights of others.  Thank you for your cooperation in observing these guidelines.

Diplomas and Transcripts

• Diplomas will be mailed beginning on July 13, 2012 to the student's permanent address provided all degree requirements have been met and all holds have been cleared.  Students who submit an Intent to Graduate or Application for Graduation for spring 2012 after Friday, March 30, 2012 should expect the mailing of their diploma to require an additional 6-8 weeks.
• The name on your diploma will be as you requested on the Intent To Graduate form. The degree, major, scholastic honors, and Honors College citations are printed on the diploma. Options within a major and minors are not printed on the diploma but are included in degree information on the transcript.  Students who have two majors under the same degree receive one diploma (one degree) listing both majors. There are no exceptions to the options or two majors policy. You may not request a name change to your diploma after Friday, March 30, 2012 as the initial diploma order will have already been processed.
• Transcripts with final grades and degree earned will be available beginning June 8, 2012.  For additional information on how to request a transcript, please use the following link for transcript requests.
• Replacement diplomas are available for a $20 fee ($30 for diploma and diploma cover) from the Office of the Registrar, Carrington Hall 320, (417) 836-5520.

Career Center

Visit the Career Center to discover the many resources available to Missouri State students and alumni as you continue your job search. It's not too late to register with Career Center to participate in on-campus recruiting and to have your resume referred to employers.  

Don't forget to complete the Graduate Follow-Up Survey which you will be receiving in the mail.  This information is confidential and helps us better serve Missouri State students and may result in your winning a $25 Bookstore gift certificate.

Alumni Association

Visit the Alumni Association table at the cap and gown pick-up area in the bookstoreMay 14-17, 2012 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and May 18, 2012 from 8 a.m.-10 a.m.   We have a GIFT for you!  We are proud of your accomplishments and want to keep in touch with you after you leave Missouri State.  Complete an Alumni Record Form and pick up your graduation memento from the Alumni Association.  Not picking up a cap & gown?  Drop by anyway.  All graduates are invited to receive a gift.  After December 16, 2011, call (417) 836-5654 to find out where to pick up your memento.

The goal of the Missouri State Alumni Association is to be your lifelong link to the University--to keep you informed and involved with your alma mater for the rest of your life. All alumni (with current addresses on file) receive:

• Three issues annually of Missouri State magazine, your official alumni publication
• 12 issues of the Bear Bulletin, your monthly e-newsletter
• Event information for Homecoming
• Invitations to alumni gatherings in your area
• Special reunion and event invitations
• Access to Missouri State's online community which offers a personal profile, directory of alumni, permanent University e-mail address, resume posting, upcoming event information and much more

News Release of Graduation Candidates

Each semester, the Office of University Communications sends the names of Missouri State University graduation candidates to their hometown newspapers. More information about how and when this list is distributed is available online at http://www.news.missouristate.edu/lists.htm. For more information, contact the Office of University Communications at (417) 836-6397. 

Commencement Photography

Grad Images will be taking individual portraits one hour prior to each commencement ceremony on the main floor of Hammons Student Center. No appointment is necessary and portrait sittings are free. Grad Images will also take a candid photograph of each commencement participant at the student's moment of recognition. 

Grad Images will send each student a free passport sized digital proof of these photos on an order card within 5 to 7 days following the commencement ceremony. Grad Images will also send the student an e-mail notification with a secure link to photos. Students may place orders or obtain answers to questions at www.gradimages.com or 1-800-424-3686. There is no obligation to purchase, and Grad Images guarantees complete satisfaction.

Commencement Eligibility

Students must have ALL graduation requirements in-progress during their intended semester of graduation (includes transfer work from other institutions) in order to be eligible to participate in Commencement. The only possible exceptions to this policy are those students who will complete all their graduation requirements during the subsequent intersession. These students may request permission to participate in an early commencement ceremony by petitioning Dr. Rachelle Darabi in the Office of the Provost after they have actually registered for their intersession class(es). Those given permission to walk early should understand that although their name will be read during the ceremony, it will not appear in the commencement program nor will they officially graduate until the conclusion of the semester in which all graduation requirements have been completed. Per University intersession policy, fall intersession is part of the following fall semester, winter intersession is part of the following spring semester, and summer intersession is part of the following summer session. Students who receive permission to walk early are not eligible to be recognized for scholastic honors during the Commencement ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:   How can I make sure that I have taken care of everything?

A:   Please review the "Graduation Checklist" above to ensure you have completed (or are aware of) everything on the checklist. If you have a question regarding your degree audit, please consult with your academic advisor. If you an undergraduate student and have questions concerning your graduation eligibility, you may also visit the Office of the Registrar in person and a Degree Check staff member will go over your graduation eligibility with you. If you an graduate student and have questions concerning your graduation eligibility, you may also visit the Graduate College to review your graduation eligibility with you.

Q:  I have transfer work from another school that will help fulfill my remaining graduation requirements. Do I need to do anything? Does the transfer work have to be here prior to the Commencement ceremony in order to be eligible to participate?

A:   Please inform a Degree Check staff member in the Office of the Registrar that you will have transfer work to come in at the end of the semester. There is an information box at the bottom of the Intent to Graduate form where you can communicate this to us. We record this information so that when graduation checks begin after final grading, we know to expect further transfer work from you. It is highly likely that your transfer work will not be received prior to commencement, and it will not prevent you from participating in the the Commencement ceremony. Assuming your transfer work will fulfill your remaining graduation requirements, you will receive a letter in the mail informing you that you have until the mid-point of the next semester (the specific date is included in the letter) to get your transfer work here and evaluated by the Admissions Office. It is important that you request an official transcript of your transfer work to be sent to Missouri State as soon as your transfer work has been graded.

Q:   Do I need to RSVP for Commencement?

A:   You do not need to RSVP for Commencement. A name card is prepared for every eligible graduation candidate. If you wish to participate, you will pick up your name card as you check in for graduation on the main floor of Hammons Student Center, so that your name will be read during the ceremony. If you do not wish to participate, your name card is not picked up and your name will not be read during the ceremony.

Q:   I am planning to bring personal belongings (i.e. coat, purse, umbrella) to the Commencement Ceremony. Where can I leave it?

A:   Please do not bring theseitems to the Commencement ceremony. There is no storage for these items at Hammons Student Center or JQH Arena. It is recommended that you leave these items with family and friends, locked securely in your car, or do not bring them at all. You should not pick up a Commencement program when you arrive as one will be in your chair when you march out for the ceremony.

Q:   What do I get to wear to recognize my scholastic honors and/or Honors College participation?

Only university scholastic honors and Honors College graduates are allowed to wear extra academic regalia. Departmental and national honor societies are not allowed to wear additional regalia. Those students who are eligible for scholastic honors cordons or Honors College stoles will be able to pick up this regalia as they check in at Commencement. Honors College graduates will receive a blue stole. Students who are eligible for scholastic honors (see "Scholastic Honors" above) will be able to pick up their cordon (Summa Cum Laude-gold, Magna Cum Laude-silver, Cum Laude-maroon) as they check in at Commencement.

Q:   Will I receive my diploma at Commencement?

A:   No. Final grades are not yet due at the time of Commencement. Once final grades are processed, a review of each graduation candidate's eligibility is completed, a series of computer jobs run to facilitate the graduation process, and diplomas are prepped for mailing. This process takes 6-8 weeks. Please see the "Important Dates and Deadlines" at the top of the page to find out when diploma mailing will begin.

Q:   I have checked the "Scholastic Honors" eligibility above and I am not currently eligible for scholastic honors. If my instructors will sign notes confirming my grades for my last semester, will you consider them for recognition at the Commencement?

A:   No. Exceptions to the scholastic honors policy cannot be made. Scholastic honors eligibility is based on your GPA level at the end of the semester prior to your intented semester of graduation. Final grades are not due yet at the time of the Commencement ceremony. Even if your instructor were willing to sign a note confirming your grades, it would not be fair to all of the other graduation candidates to not have their final grades considered as well.  Final scholastic honors eligibility will include final grades. Scholastic honors changes will be reflected on your diploma and transcript. Students who become eligible for scholastic honors based on final grades, or who were eligible but whose level of honors changed based on final grades, may receive their scholastic honors cordon by contacting the Dean of Students Office at (417) 836-5527.

Q:   I missed the deadline for inclusion in the Commencement Program. Is there anyway to get my name inserted in the program anyway?

A:   No. Unfortunately, in order to produce the Commencement Program in time to be ready for the ceremony, a strict deadline must be honored to give the printer enough time to produce the program. Once the program has been sent to print, we are unable to make any further changes. However, students who miss the program deadline may still participate in the Commencement ceremony and may still be recognized for scholastic honors if eligible.

Q:   The date in which the "Important Dates and Deadlines"  states my diploma will be mailed has arrived and I do not have my diploma yet. Is something wrong?

A:   You will notice the "important Dates and Deadlines" indicates the date that the diploma mailing process begins. Depending on the number of graduates, all diplomas may not go out the first day of mailing. It is recommended that you wait at least one week past the deadline before inquiring about your diploma. Additionally, the following items may delay the receipt of your diploma:

1. You have an hold that prevents us from mailing your diploma. The Office of the Registrar will send a letter to your permanent address to notify you on the hold around the time of the diploma mailing.
2. You have an unresolved graduation issue. If you are an undergraduate student, the Office of the Registrar will send a letter to your permanent address to notify you on the encumbrance around the time of the diploma mailing. If you are a graduate student, the Graduate College will communicate with you regarding your unresolved graduation issue.
3. You did not file an Intent to Graduate by the deadline for inclusion in the Commencement Program. If you miss this deadline, you are also on a later diploma order. This will add an additional  6-8 weeks to your expected diploma delivery time.
4. Your scholastic honors have changed (moving up or down). When this occurs, the Office of the Registrar has to reorder your diploma.
5. Your diploma came back from the printer with an error. While not very common, when this occurs the Office of the Registrar has to reorder your diploma.