Commencement Information
Georgia Southern University currently holds commencement ceremonies at the end of Fall and Spring semesters. Students may walk at the graduation ceremony only after they complete all their coursework. This includes internships. The only exceptions are the ones completing in the Summer. Summer Candidates completing all their degree requirements at the end of Summer semester are expected to walk in the Spring (May) Commencement. Doctoral students who complete all requirements at the end of Summer Semester are expected to walk at the Fall Commencement.Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances which will not allow a student to come back to campus after their internship or to participate in their assigned ceremony. Students should appeal in writing to the Graduation Area of the Registrar's Office for special permission to participate in a different ceremony.
Below you will find a summary of graduation and commencement information.
All candidates must submit an Application for Graduation.
Note: If you are not planning to attend the commencement ceremony you must notify the Registrar's Office. You may notify our office by submitting your request via our on-line form: Request to Graduate In Absentia. Please access your WINGS account through MyGeorgiaSouthern at https://my.georgiasouthern.edu/ to enter a (DA) Diploma Address that is valid fourteen weeks after commencement for delivery of your diploma. If there is no (DA) Diploma Address, the (MA) Permanent Home address is used for mailing your diploma after all requirements are completed. Please be sure that you have paid the $35 graduation fee at the Cashier's Window or call them at (912)478-0020 to pay by credit card.
The Registrar's Office mails graduation letters and a Commencement Information Brochure to candidates before the end of the semester. All students planning to participate in this semester's commencement ceremony should pay careful attention to the detailed information presented in the brochure to ensure a smooth ceremony. An on-line version of the brochure will be posted at this site when it is available.
Graduation Fee: Every student receiving a degree must pay a graduation fee of $35. This may be paid by calling (912) 478-0020 and paying by credit card (Mastercard or Visa). Also, this fee may be paid at the Cashier' window in Deal Hall located on Southern Drive. Students completing two degrees on the same date will only pay $35. See the Herff Jones website for Cap and Gown fees.
Other Obligations: All fees due the University must be paid before a student is finally cleared for graduation. This includes parking tickets, obligations to the Library, National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) and the Business Office.
Change of Expected Graduation Date: After applying for graduation, if a student changes his/her completion term, either to move it forward or to delay it to another term after application, the Registrar's Office must be notified in order to plan his/her graduation correctly.
Cap and Gown Reservation
Students may reserve their caps and gowns at the Spring Graduation Gala which is held each Spring during the month of March. Notices of the dates and times will be sent to all seniors. Reservations may also be madehttp://www.herffjones.com/college/graduation. Please give your height, weight, degree, and major. Measurements must be received by Herff Jones at least six weeks before commencement. Invitations, graduation photography, rings, and other items will also be available for purchase at the Gala. Cap and gown fees can be paid directly to the Herff-Jones Company when you place your order.Diplomas
Diplomas will be ordered at the end of each semester and after the graduation list has been finalized which takes approximately two weeks. The graduates should receive diplomas in the mail approximately mail approximately six to eight weeks after the end of each semester. Candidates are encouraged to update their diploma address (DA) and graduation e-mail address on WINGS before the end of the semester in which they are completing their requirements. Major(s) and graduation with honors are noted on the diploma.Graduates from the Bell Honors Program and University Honors Program will be noted by seals.
Graduation with Honors
- Honors are computed by the Registrar's Office and all questions concerning graduation with honors should be directed to that office.
- Honors are based upon all academic work attempted including all courses attempted at other institutions.
- At least 60 hours of the credits used to determine honors must be earned at Georgia Southern.
- To determine eligibility for recognition of graduation with honors at the ceremony, the student's grade point average at the end of the term prior to the graduation ceremony will be used. After graduation and all final grades are recorded and all degree requirements are complete,
honors are re-calculated and will be added to diplomas and transcripts if honors are achieved. - GPA Criteria:
- Minimum average for a level of honors on all course work at Georgia Southern
- Minimum average for a level of honors on all undergraduate work
- Lower GPA will determine level of honors.
Detailed criteria regarding honors may be found by visiting WINGS and viewing "Graduation with Honors". Only baccalaureate degree candidates are eligible to graduate with honors. Students receiving honors will be notified by letter before commencement. Further details will be contained in the graduation letter that is sent to each candidate.
Diploma Replacement
Replacement diplomas may be ordered by writing to:Georgia Southern University
Registrar's Office
P. O. Box 8092
Statesboro, GA 30460
Please include the name under which you were enrolled, last four digits of your SSN or Eagle Id, your address and phone number, your degree and major and the year that you graduated. The price is $50 for all diplomas. All diplomas are size 12" x 15" and will include the University’s current name and signatures.
Commencement Ceremonies
There are three Fall commencements, divided by colleges, which are held in Hanner Fieldhouse all the same day. The combination of colleges in each ceremony is subject to change with each commencement. Please do not rely on the previous arrangement of colleges to determine the next arrangement. The Spring commencement is held at Paulson Stadium.Below is the schedule of the next commencement: