Graduation Information > Commencement Eligibility

To graduate on a given date, you must make application on a form furnished by the Registrar's Office (also available online in PAWS). Submit the application to the Registrar's Office when you complete 70 credit hours, or at least one year prior to your proposed graduation date.

To participate in commencement, you must have successfully completed, or be enrolled in the semester prior to the ceremony, in all course work required for you to complete your degree. If you complete your degree requirements in January or May, you are eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony. If you complete your degree requirements in July, August, or December, you are eligible to participate in the December ceremony.

Exceptions to these rules require a written request to the Registrar’s Office at least three weeks prior to the commencement ceremony, accompanied by evidence that you have enrolled in, and paid tuition for, course work that will meet the remaining requirements during the summer session immediately following May commencement or the January Intersession immediately following December commencement. Permission will be granted only if you have no more than two courses totaling no more than nine credits remaining to complete your degree and have a 2.0 cumulative FSU grade point average and a 2.0 cumulative FSU grade point average in your major at the time of the request, as determined by the official degree audit performed by the Registrar.

Participation in commencement does not confer a degree. Your degree will be posted on your official transcript and you will receive a diploma only after you have documented that you have met all degree requirements.