Graduation Announcements and Caps/Gowns
Students may order personalized graduation announcements and pre-order caps and gowns at the Bookstore. Further information is available on the "Information for Graduates" page.
Commencement Program Inclusion
Your graduate must file an Intent to Graduate card no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012 in order to be included in the printed commencement program. If they fail to meet this deadline, they may still participate in the Commencement ceremony, but cannot be included in the printed program due to printing deadlines. There are no exceptions to this deadline.
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 fall 2011 semester. 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.
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Masters and Specialists degree candidates will march with the college of their major (program of study.)
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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 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.
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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
- 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 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. 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, which is one block north of the Arena, and at Bear Park South, which is south of the Arena at the corner of Grand and Holland. Disabled patron parking is located in lot 25 south of JQH Arena.
Directions to the Campus
Link to 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. 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.