Congratulations!

Commencement is a special time to celebrate your academic achievements. There is no rehearsal, so please review the following carefully.

Graduation Application

The deadline to apply for December graduation was Friday, September 25, 2009.  For more information, please contact your Academic Advising Center (undergraduates) or the Graduate College (graduate students).

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in your commencement ceremony, the following requirements must be met:

• Applied for graduation during the official period
• Cleared all university holds for financial obligations
• Wear official regalia (black cap and gown)

Checking in at Commencement

You should plan on arriving at least one hour prior to the start of your ceremony in the following gym according to your major. Jowers Gyms are accessible from Strahan's south concourse and signs are located in the concourse to direct you. Please also refer to the Map of Strahan Coliseum for more details.

Jowers Gym 101 College of Applied Arts College of Health Professions College of Science College of Liberal Arts-Undergraduates University College

Jowers Gym 102 McCoy College of Business Administration College of Education College of Liberal Arts-Graduates College Fine Arts and Communication

Upon arriving at your gym, you will check in with your Academic Advising Center (undergraduates) or the Graduate College (graduate students). Here you will receive your reader card, receive any honors cords, and line up for the processional into the Coliseum. Please keep your reader card in hand at all times prior and during the ceremony.

If you have questions about how your name will be pronounced during diploma presentations, please contact your Academic Advising Center (undergraduates) or the Graduate College (graduate students).

Please leave all personal belongings (purses, jackets, etc.) with a family member prior to arrival at the gyms. The University is not responsible for any personal items left in the gyms or on the Coliseum floor.

For security purposes, all persons attending commencement are asked to keep handbags, camera bags, and tote bags to a minimum. All articles brought into the facility will be subject to search, and this may delay persons from entering the Coliseum.

Commencement Procedures

Formation: In the gyms, you will be placed in line alphabetically by level (1-Doctoral, 2-Master's, and 3-Bachelor's)

Processional: Led by faculty, you will process into the Coliseum, walk down the stairs, and be seated on the floor. Candidates with mobility issues or other special needs should alert the College Advising Center staff.

Diploma Presentations: After degrees have been conferred, you will each be recognized by name and will be presented a diploma cover by the College Dean.

Recessional: Following the Alma Mater, the President will lead the Faculty and students from the Coliseum floor through the concourse to Sewell Park. Students should be prepared to meet family and friends at a designated area outside of the Coliseum.

Reader Cards

When you check in with your college you will be given a reader card with your name and a number representing your place in the candidate processional. Please keep this card in hand at all times prior and during the ceremony. When you approach the stage during diploma presentations, you will hand your card to the Commencement Reader.

If you have questions about how your name will be pronunced during diploma presentations, please contact your Academic Advising Center (undergraduates) or the Graduate College (graduate students).

Academic Regalia

All undergraduate candidates must wear the official regalia (black cap and gown, maroon and gold tassel) which can be purchased at the University Bookstore.  It is recommended that you purchase your cap and gown early to avoid any unnecessary delay or inconveniences on your graduation day.  The University Bookstore will be on site during commencement with a limited number of caps, undergraduate gowns, and tassels, as well as other Texas State merchandise, available for purchase.

Graduate Master’s and Specialist candidates must purchase their official regalia (cap, hood, Master’s gown, and tassel) from the University Bookstore prior to the ceremony.  Hood colors vary depending on your academic program.  University Bookstore staff will be available in-store to assist you.

Graduate Doctoral candidates must purchase their official regalia (tam, Doctoral robe, and tassel) from the University Bookstore.  University Bookstore staff will be available in-store to assist you.

For information regarding honor cords and stoles, please visit the FAQs page.

Recommended Attire

This is an important day in your academic career. Keep in mind there will be a professional photographer at the commencement ceremony and you may also be taking photographs with family and friends. There is no dress code; however we suggest that you dress appropriately for this special occasion. Please know that all candidates will be walking up and down several flights of stairs to reach their seats in the Coliseum. Though disabled seating is available, most guests will need to utilize stairs to reach their seats. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Accomodations For Visitors and Candidates With Disabilities

Special services are available to accommodate the needs of visitors and candidates with disabilities at all Texas State Commencement ceremonies.  Accommodations include: accessible parking, shuttle services, accessible seating and sign language interpreting services. 

If you have a guest that requires accommodations due to a disability visit the Office of Disability Services (ODS) web site at http://www.ods.txstate.edu/Campus-Resources/Commencement.html or call the ODS at 512-245-3451.

Candidates with disabilities are asked to also contact their Academic Advising Center (undergraduates) or the Graduate College (graduate students) at least 72 hours prior to commencement.

Commencement Program

A commencement program will be available to each candidate when they are seated on the coliseum floor. Candidates are asked not to pick up additional programs prior to the processional.

Commencement programs are available to guests at the entrances to each seating area.

A PDF of the commencement program will be available here.

Fall 2009 Graduates

Diplomas

If you wish to pick up your official diploma, you may do so at the Registrar’s Office, J.C. Kellam Building, room 111.

Dates: January 13 - February 5, 2010.

Hours of pickup: M-F 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Closed MLK Day, January 18, 2010.

Extended Hours: January 13th, 20th, 27th and February 3rd. Hours are from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

You will need your picture ID.

If you do not pick up your diploma, it will be mailed within six weeks of graduation. If you would like your diploma mailed to an address different than the one on your graduation application, please contact your Academic Advising Center (undergraduates) or the Graduate College (graduate students) in writing or by e-mail.

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For additional information, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.