Graduation
Graduation from college is an exciting time in your life. This page contains much of the information you will need to know regarding your graduation from Clayton State University. If you do not find the answer to your question on this page, please email Registrar@clayton.edu.
- Who should apply
- How to apply
- Graduation Application Policy
- Graduation application deadlines
- Fall 2009 Commencement
- Diplomas
- Photographs
- Disability Accommodations
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who should apply for graduation
All students who will be completing a program of study must apply for graduation by the appropriate deadline. You must apply for graduation regardless of whether you will be participating in the commencement ceremony or not.
How to Apply
- Obtain a graduation application from the academic department of your major. Some academic departments have the graduation application on their website. Please check with the department of your major on how to obtain a graduation application.
- Submit your completed graduation application and the $35.00 graduation application fee by the deadline listed below to the Office of the Registrar in STC-239. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
- We strive to give each student accurate and timely feedback. You will receive your graduation evaluation from the Registrar’s Office as soon as possible. This process may take up to four months. The earlier you turn your application in, the faster our response will be. Please continue to monitor your student email account. All correspondence from the Office of the Registrar will be sent to your CSU student email account.
Key points to remember
- Because applications are reviewed in the order they are received, the sooner you submit your application, the sooner you will receive a response. We encourage you not to wait until the last minute to submit your application. Applications for future terms may be submitted at any time up until the deadline.
- Any deviation or substitution from what is printed in the catalog as a requirement for your degree/certificate must be approved in writing by your academic department and dean. Please click here if you need to print a course substitution from. Course substitutions are the responsibility of the student. The Office of the Registrar will not facilitate a course substitution.
Graduation Application Deadlines
Graduation applications submitted after the published deadline will not be accepted. If you miss the published deadline, you will need to apply for the next available term.
| Term | Deadline | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2009 | June 1, 2009 | No longer accepting applications |
| Spring 2010 | September 15, 2009 | No longer accepting applications |
| Summer 2010 | January 30, 2010 | Accepting Applications |
| Fall 2010 | June 1, 2010 | Accepting Applications |
Fall 2009 Commencement
Please continue to closely monitor your CSU student email account. All communications regarding commencement will be sent to your student email account. We will not have a rehearsal.
Who is eligible?
Students who complete degree requirements summer and fall 2009 are eligible to participate in the ceremony. Graduates who elect not to participate in this ceremony will not be eligible to walk in a future ceremony unless they earn a new degree.
Date, Time & Location
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Clayton State University Athletics & Fitness Center4:00 p.m.
School of Business
College of Health
College of Information and Mathematical Sciences7:30 p.m.
College of Arts & SciencesParticipating in the ceremony
You MUST notify the Office of the Registrar if you plan on participating. An on-line registration form will be available approximately seven weeks prior to commencement. You will receive an email to your CSU email account once the registration period is open.
Please keep in mind that participation in the ceremony does not constitute degree completion. Degrees are awarded pending a final audit of your records conducted by the Registrar’s Office in the weeks following commencement.
Cap & Gown
Cap and gowns must be purchased before the day of the ceremony. You may order your cap and gown directly from Jostens at www.jostens.com or 1-800-854-7464. Jostens will be on campus from 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on:
- Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 12-7 pm
- Thursday, November 5, 2009 12-7 pm
You must purchase your cap and gown by Thursday, November 20 to avoid paying rush fees.
Academic Attire & Honors
All participants must wear the appropriate academic attire. Academic attire consists of the following:
- Cap & Tassel
- Gown
- Baccalaureate - BLACK
- Associate - GREY
- Clayton State University strives to recognize the exemplary accomplishments of our graduates. In addition to students graduating with academic honors, students may wear the appropriate symbol of membership in the following organizations:
- Students graduating with Academic Honors (GPA) from CSU – Gold Honor Cord
- Honors Program – Gold Medallion
- Beta Beta Beta – Red and Green Honor Cords
- Beta Gamma Sigma – Stole
- Mu Phi Epsilon Music – Medallion
- Phi Alpha Theta – Red Stole
- Psi Chi - Psychology – Gold Double Cord with Blue and Gold Tassels
- Sigma Tau Delta – English – Stole
- Sigma Theta Tau – Purple and White Honor Cord
- Sigma Phi Alpha National Dental Hygiene Honor Society, Alpha
Alpha Xi Chapter – Stole
- Upsilon Phi Delta – Red and Blue Cord
- Golden Key Honor Society – Gold and Blue Cord
- Alpha Kappa Alpha – Pink and Green Stole
- Alpha Kappa Lambda – Purple and Gold Stole
- Alpha Phi Alpha – Black and Gold Stole
- Alpha Sigma Alpha – Red, White, and Gold Stole
- Delta Sigma Theta – Red and White Stole
- Kappa Alpha Psi – Red and White Stole
- Phi Beta Sigma – Blue and White Stole
- Sigma Gamma Rho – Blue and Yellow Stole
- Theta Phi Alpha – Blue, Yellow, and White Stole
- Zeta Phi Beta – Blue and White Stole
IMPORTANT:
Unauthorized ornamentation is prohibited. If any university official deems the attire to be inappropriate, the student will be asked to remove the unapproved item or the student may be denied participation in the graduation ceremony.Tickets
At this time, all students will be issued 5 tickets to the ceremony located in the Gymnasium. It is important to note: Every person that enters the Gymnasium MUST have a ticket. This includes babies, toddlers, and small children. Graduates may invite an unlimited number of guests to view the ceremony from the Student Activities Center.
Parking
Please advise your guests that parking will be limited. Please encourage them to arrive early so that there is enough time to find parking and arrive at the gymnasium at least 15 minutes before the ceremony begins.
Diplomas
Because all final grades will not be reported to the Office of the Registrar until after commencement, we will not be distributing diplomas at the ceremony. We will be conducting final audits of all graduates in the weeks following commencement. Diplomas will be available in approximately 8 weeks. You will be notified via your CSU student email account and USPS mail when your diploma is ready.
Photographs
Students participating in the graduation ceremony will have an opportunity to purchase individual photographs from a professional photographer. Proofs will be emailed directly to the student. Any questions about pictures should be directed to Village Photographers: 1-800-444-7427.
Disability Accommodations
Disability accommodations can be provided upon request for anyone with disabilities. To request assistance for the commencement ceremony, please contact the Registrar's office at least one week prior to the ceremony, via email at Registrar@clayton.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I wear under my gown?
A: Men should wear a white dress shirt (with collar), dark slacks with dark (brown or black) dress shoes.
Women may wear a dress or slacks. Many women prefer to wear a white dress shirt (with collar) to wear under their gown for a more finished look. Pants or skirts should be a dark color worn with dark (brown or black) dress shoes. Please be aware that you will be standing for long periods of time; therefore you should strive to wear comfortable dress shoes.
Q: Will there be rehearsal?
A: No. You will be given information about the line-up when you arrive at commencement.
Q: I failed one of my classes that I needed for graduation. Can I participate in the ceremony?
A: No. Only students that have completed degree requirements may participate in commencement. You will be eligible to participate once you meet all of the requirements for your degree.
Q: Will you have a place to store my valuables (purse, phone, keys) during the ceremony?
A: No. Please make arrangements to have guests hold your valuables or keep them locked in your car during the ceremony. We do not have space to store valuables
Q: What does my $35.00 graduation application fee go towards?
A: Your application fee helps to cover administrative costs associated with the audit of your application as well as material costs for your diploma and the program for the commencement ceremony.
Q: I participated in the commencement ceremony; does this mean I am an official graduate of Clayton State University?
A: No. Participation in the ceremony does not constitute degree completion. Degrees are awarded pending a final audit of your records conducted by the Registrar’s Office in the weeks following commencement. You will be notified via your CSU student email account and the USPS mail system when your degree has been awarded and your diploma is ready to be picked up.
If you have any graduation related questions that have not been addressed on this page, please email the Registrar's Office, Registrar@clayton.edu.