Prepare for Graduation and Career
Steps to Graduation - GraduatePrepare for your graduation now by understanding the necessary steps involved -- from ensuring that all of the requirements for your degree have been met to knowing the timeline for ordering your cap and gown. To make graduation a reality, you need to make certain you've met all the requirements -- for the University, your school/college, and your department. As you begin your studies, also begin to prepare for graduation -- by following these steps:
- Determine your program of study - Get assistance with class selection and your degree program.
After you are admitted to the University, you should contact your Academic Coordinator to discuss the specific details of your program of study and to receive advice regarding class selection. - Preparing for graduation - Apply for graduation at the beginning of your final semester at FSU. Each semester has a specific application period, which you will find at the Registrar's Graduation webpage.
- To apply, log in to Blackboard to apply under “Apply for graduation” within the “Secured Apps” tab.
Upon receipt of your request, the Graduation Section of the Registrar's Office will complete an official application for you and mail a copy back to you along with information about ordering your cap and gown, receiving graduation tickets, and details about the graduation ceremony.
- To apply, log in to Blackboard to apply under “Apply for graduation” within the “Secured Apps” tab.
- Loan exit interview - All students who received a Federal Stafford or Perkins loan are required to complete an interview and sign a Loan Exit form
. This formality assures the U.S. government that you understand your responsibility to pay back your loans. Your transcript, diploma, and other services may be put on hold if you don't complete the interview and the form is not returned within ten days. - Graduation ceremony - You may wish to travel to Tallahassee to attend your graduation ceremony and celebrate with your fellow graduates. This, of course, is not a requirement to receive your well-deserved diploma. But, if you do wish to join in the festivities, you will need to make arrangements for:
- Cap and gown. Your order can be placed through the University Bookstore (phone: 850-644-6650) only during specific dates. For order and pick-up dates, see the Registrar's Graduation webpage.
- Graduation tickets. Each student who has applied for graduation is allotted tickets to the graduation ceremony, which are picked up at the time you pick up your cap and gown. See the Registrar's Graduation page for more information.
- Graduation ceremony. Since FSU is so large, commencement ceremonies are held on separate days and times, broken down by individual schools/colleges. For the specific days/times, see the Registrar's Graduation webpage.
