Grambling State University confers degrees at its summer, fall and spring commencements. Students who meet degree requirements will have their degrees conferred. Candidates for graduation will submit applications to their college (Dean’s Office) according to the date listed in the academic calendar.

• Testing: Please contact your department in regards to any departmental testing that may be required for graduation.
• Residency: Al least thirty (30) semester hours must be completed in residence for the bachelor’s degree and at least fifteen (15) semester hours must be completed in residence for the associate degree. Exception to this regulation may be made at the Dean’s discretion.
• Transfer Credits: Students who have approval to take courses at another institution during their last semester should have transcripts forwarded to the GSU Registrar’s Office at least two weeks prior to graduation in order to participate in commencement.
• Academic Regalia: Academic regalia are purchased through the GSU Bookstore. Forms should be picked up and returned to the bookstore - fee paid when regalia is picked up. Contact the bookstore for costs and dates for renting/purchasing attire. Graduation announcements are also available through the bookstore.
• Honors: Students who graduate with honors are recognized at commencement by wearing gold cords with academic regalia.
• Clearances: It is the prospective graduate’s responsibility to ensure that all obligations to the University have been met. A financial clearance form may be picked up in the academic department or at the cashier’s window. After all signatures have been obtained, a copy of the form should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office at least one week prior to graduation. Students must also complete a financial aid exit interview. Students with delinquent accounts will NOT be allowed to participate in the academic procession.
• GSU National Alumni Association: All graduates are inducted into the Grambling State University National Alumni Association during commencement ceremonies. Graduates are encouraged to inform the Office of Alumni Affairs of their new addresses as soon as residence has been established. The Alumni Affairs Office will provide information on the nearest GSU Alumni chapters. GSU alumni can provide valuable assistance and contacts for recent graduates.
• Degrees in Absentia: Candidates for graduation are expected to be present for commencement exercise unless written approval to be absent is given by the candidate’s Academic Dean. A copy should be filed in the Registrar’s Office, Grambling Hall, Room 18. If a candidate absents him/herself from commencement without written approval of the Academic Dean, an absentee fee of $10.00 will be assessed. Diplomas will be mailed the week following commencement for those approved candidates for graduation who could not participate in commencement exercises.
• Career Planning & Placement: Seniors are encouraged to utilize services of the Career Planning and Placement Center for employment and professional school information as well as to refine their interviewing and other job search skills. The Career Planning and Placement Center is located on the first floor of Jacob T. Stewart Building. You must register at the center as part of the clearance process.
• Reapplying for Graduation: If all degree requirements are not met at the end of the semester in which a student applies for graduation, he/she must submit another complete application for graduation.
• Graduation Photographs: Proofs of photos from commencement will be mailed to the home address of each student for purchase consideration. Please make certain that your mailing address is correct in the Registrar’s Office. You may view addresses on BannerWeb.
• President’s Reception: A longtime GSU tradition is the President’s Reception for graduates and their guests. This occasion with graduates, parents, friends, and faculty takes place on Friday for summer/fall and Sunday for the spring semester immediately following commencement.
• Rehearsal: All students who plan to participate in commencement must attend the rehearsal at 9:00 a.m. in the Assembly Center. Instructions are given on conduct, wearing academic attire, assembling and receiving diplomas. Line up and seating assignments are made.

Graduation Rehearsal Dates

Spring 2008, Thursday, May 15, 2008
Summer 2008, Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Commencement Dates

Spring 2008, Sunday, May 18, 2008 – Assembly Center
Summer 2008, Friday, July 25, 2008 – Assembly Center