FAQ

The graduation fee partially offsets the production and mailing of diplomas and also includes the cost of your cap and gown.

You will attend the ceremony in which your college is participating. For more information, visit the graduation information page.

MSU's academic programs are divided into four colleges: The College of Science, The Caudill College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Elmer R. Smith College of Business and Technology and the College of Education.

There are no tickets required for candidates or their guests at the commencement ceremonies. All ceremonies will be held in the Academic-Athletic Center (AAC). All seating is first-come first-serve. Please refrain from bringing large bags or backpacks into the building. MSUPD reserves the right to search bags and/or prohibit any item from entering the premises. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search prior to entry and once inside the building.

The accessible entrance to the Academic-Athletic Center is on the east side (right side) entrance of the AAC. Individuals with state-issued handicapped parking permits may drop off guests at the side entrance of the AAC and park in the designated area in front of Jayne Stadium.

Accessible seating for individuals with disabilities and one family member is available on the arena floor. Guests requiring special accommodation or seating on the day of the ceremony should plan to arrive at least one hour early to receive assistance.

Family members and friends who are unable to attend MSU’s commencement may view the ceremony via the OVC network. Additional information regarding the live stream as well as a direct link will be available the day of commencement on MSU's homepage.

Professional photography will be provided. Candidates will be photographed as they receive their diploma cover on stage. Proofs and information from the photographer will be sent to the student’s MSU email address. There is no obligation to purchase photos.

Regalia is included in the cost of your application. When applying, you can choose to have your cap and gown shipped or you may pick it up at the University Store. A cap, gown, and tassel are the official regalia that must be worn at commencement for undergraduate candidates. A cap, gown, tassel and hood for the respective discipline are the official regalia that must be worn at commencement for graduate candidates.

Save money by ordering any package, or select an individual option when ordering online. You may view the sample announcements at the University Store.

The University Store has the exclusive Official Ring Collection of Morehead State University.

View all of Morehead State University's custom diploma frames and gift options at the University Store. All frames are handcrafted in the USA and customized for your Morehead State University diploma.

Graduate students must apply for graduation and may do so here.

Bachelor degree candidates who complete at least 43 credits at MSU with an institutional (MSU) GPA of 3.5 to 4.0 through the student’s last fully completed and graded semester will be recognized during the commencement ceremony as graduating “with honors.” Specific honors of summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude will not be reflected in the commencement program. 

Associate degree candidates who complete at least 32 credits at MSU with an institutional GPA of 3.6 to 4.0 through the student’s last fully completed and graded semester will be recognized “with distinction.”

Students entitled to commencement honors will be notified via their MSU email address and will receive a gold cord from the Registrar’s office at no cost to them to wear at the commencement ceremony. Honor cords are distributed to only those students participating in the ceremony. If a student is not participating in the ceremony and has honors, the appropriate honors will be noted on the student's official transcript and diploma.

Master, Ed.S., and Ed.D degree candidates do not receive honors.

GradFair is a one-stop shop event that is hosted each semester by the Alumni Association so that students can obtain everything they need for commencement and connect with important resources.

At GradFair students can:

• Order Class Rings.
• Purchase Graduation Announcements .
• Purchase Diploma Frames.
• Shop Alumni Clothing.
• Speak with Staff from the Alumni Center.

After GradFair, students can find the materials needed for commencement at the University Store during regular business hours.

You indicate how you want your name to be printed on your diploma when you apply for graduation. The first and last name on your diploma must be the legal name that is listed in MSU’s database. Middle names are optional on the diploma and a middle initial may be used in place of a full middle name.

Undergraduate diplomas display your legal name, degree, major or area and honors (if applicable). Minors and second majors or areas are not shown on your diploma, but they will be on your official transcript.

Graduate diplomas display your legal name, degree and program of study. 

Diplomas will be available about four to six weeks after the end of the term in which you are completing your degree (spring, summer I, summer II, fall or winter). After diplomas have been printed and arrive in the Registrar’s office, you will receive an email to your MSU account. Students may pick up their own diploma with a valid photo ID or request their diploma to be mailed immediately. After one week, all unclaimed diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the degree application.

If your name has changed you will need to send an email to graduation@moreheadstate.edu and also submit a name change form through the Registrar's office, along with the appropriate documentation (e.g.: marriage certificate, divorce decree or other court document).

If you would like to change the address to which your diploma will be mailed, you will need to email graduation@moreheadstate.edu. To change your address within the University database you will need to complete a change of address and return it to the Registrar's Office.

Students with work “In Progress” or who have classes with grades of “Incomplete” will be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony. However, all “In Progress” work and “Incomplete” grades must be converted to official grades before the degree can be awarded.

The graduation fee is only valid for five years after application. After five years have expired, you will need to apply and pay the fee again.

Contact Rachel Whitt to request deferral to the following semester as soon as possible. This will enable your graduation application to be transferred to the following semester and prevent you from paying the application fee again. Please note that the fee is only valid for up to one year. After one year, you will need to apply and pay the fee again.

Graduate students should contact Gera Jones.