Prepare for Graduation and Career
Steps to Graduation - UndergraduatePrepare 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:
- Receiving academic advising - Get assistance with class selection and your degree program.
After you are admitted to the University and have begun your major course work, you should work out a degree completion plan with your Academic Coordinator. For each upcoming semester discuss your course schedule with your Academic Coordinator to ensure you are taking the appropriate courses. - Satisfying the graduation check - Ensure that all the requirements for your degree have been met.
A graduation check is mandatory for all students who have earned 100 or more semester hours toward graduation. Students must request official graduation checks from both the Office of the University Registrar and their academic department (or school). Note: The University will place a stop on your registration until the official request is made. When requesting information from either the registrar or the department/college, include your name, major, mailing address, email address, and expected term of graduation.
- University Registrar graduation check
Request a graduation check from the Office of the University Registrar via e-mail. The results of the University Registrar's graduation check will be mailed to you. - Department/College graduation check
Students must also request a graduation check from their department or, if applicable, to their college or school.- Computer Science (when 90 semester hours toward graduation have been earned) Also include the foreign language that you will be taking to satisfy the College foreign language requirement.
- Information Studies (when 90 semester hours toward graduation have been earned)
- Interdisciplinary Social Science (when 90 semester hours toward graduation have been earned)
- Nursing (when 110 semester hours toward graduation have been earned)
- University Registrar graduation check
- 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. - 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.
- To apply, log in to Blackboard to apply under “Apply for graduation” within the “Secured Apps” tab.
Career Planning
Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student, you can take advantage of FSU's Career Center services. Explore majors, occupations, job opportunities, and additional educational options.
