Graduation Announcements and Caps/Gowns
Students may order personalized graduation announcements and pre-order caps and gowns at the Bookstore or online. More information is available on the "Information for Graduates" page.
Commencement Program Inclusion
Your graduate must file an Intent to Graduate no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2013 in order to be included in the printed commencement program. If they do not meet this deadline they may still participate in the Commencement ceremony, but their name will not be in the printed program due to printing deadlines. There are no exceptions to this deadline.
Scholastic Honors
Students who have questions regarding their scholastic honors eligibility should first read the Scholastic Honors Policy and then contact the Office of the Registrar, (417) 836-5520, Carrington 320 with further 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. Scholastic honors are automatically calculated by the University, so the student does not need to do anything in advance related to scholastic honors.
As noted in the policy, recognition for honors at the Commencement ceremony is based on GPA eligibility at the conclusion of the preceding semester (Spring 2013). Summer 2013 grades have not been officially submitted at the time of Commencement. There are no exceptions to this policy. Final scholastic honors eligibility (including Summer 2013 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.
NOTE: Students who participate in Missouri S&T's cooperative engineering program are eligible to participate in Missouri State's commencement ceremony. Their scholastic honors (based on Missouri S&T scholastic honors requirements, which are different from Missouri State) will be listed in Missouri State's printed commencement program and will be read aloud during name announcement. Since Missouri S&T does not issue honors cordons, cooperative engineering students do not wear honors cordons.
Division of Commencement Ceremonies
Friday, August 2, 2013
1:00 p.m. (all colleges, all students)
JQH Arena
There is one ceremony and undergraduate division is by college of major (program of study). If you are unsure of the college, check the list of majors and colleges.
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Masters and Specialists degree candidates will march together with all other graduate degree candidates.
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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.
Music Education majors would walk with the College of Arts and Letters since the Department of Music is n the College of Arts and Letters.
Physical Education majors would walk with the College of Health and Human Services since the Department of Kinesiology is in 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.
- Individualized majors (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) are interdisciplinary by nature. Students pursuing an individualized major are encouraged to walk with the college to which their primary department (and advisor) are assigned.
Commencement Day
- The ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes. No tickets are required and there is no reserve seating.
- The event is open to the public and the doors to JQH Arena will open one hour prior to each 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. Graduates will march from the main floor of Hammons Student Center to the main floor of JQH Arena.
- When all graduates have entered the arena floor, the president of the university will preside. 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 a picture will be taken by a professional photographer. About three weeks after commencement, graduates will receive a proof of the photograph taken by the professional photographer plus information on ordering prints.
- 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.
Seating for Commencement
No tickets are required and there is no reserved seating. 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. To seek assistance in locating this seating, you may see one of the ushers located at the entrances the day of the ceremony.
Special Accommodations
The University must have at least one week's notice of any disability accommodation (other than seating) in order to serve the needs identified. That notice must be given to Mr. Andrew Wright, Commencement Chair and Assistant Vice-President/Director of Admissions, at (417) 836-5517.
Parking
Parking will be available in all available parking lots around JQH Arena, at Bear Park North (one block north of the Arena), and at Bear Park South ( two blocks south of the Arena at the corner of Grand and Holland.) Disabled patron parking is located in lot 25 directly south of JQH Arena.
Directions to the Campus
Get directions to Missouri State University. For more information on Springfield, visit the Springfield Convention and Visitor's Bureau website.
News Release of Graduate Candidates
Each semester, the Office of University Communications sends the names of Missouri State University graduation candidates to their hometown newspapers. See the Office of University Communications web site for more information about how and when this list is distributed. 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. A candid photograph will also be taken at the graduate's moment of recognition in the ceremony.
Graduates will be sent a free passport sized digital proof of these photos with ordering information within 5 to 7 days following the commencement ceremony. Graduates will also receive an email 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.