COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

• How can I participate in the commencement ceremony:
  Students who have submitted an Application for Degree for a specific semester and are enrolled in all required courses that semester to complete degree requirements will be permitted to participate commencement ceremony of their major at the conclusion of that semester. Students who are deficient more than 9 grade points in major, minor, or overall will NOT be permitted to participate in the commencement ceremony.
  
• If I participate in the commencement ceremony, will I automatically have a degree posted to my record?
  No, participation in the commencement ceremony does NOT guarantee that a degree will be posted to the student record. On the day that grades are verified and appear on the permanent transcript record, a final evaluation of each student's academic record will determine whether a degree is posted to the academic transcript. All degree requirements must be met by the deadline date as indicated on the Academic Calendar for "Final Grades Due".
  
• Will I receive my diploma at commencement?
  No, final grades are typically due to the Registrar's Office the Monday following commencement. A final evaluation of the student academic record will determine whether a degree is posted and diplomas will be mailed approximately 3 weeks after commencement. December graduates should expect a longer delay receiving their diplomas in the mail due to the holiday break. Diplomas are mailed to the permanent address on record.
  
• Will I be required to submit another Application for Degree and pay the application fee if I participate in the ceremony but do not complete my degree requirements by the deadline date?
  Yes, students who do not meet degree requirements will be required to re-submit an Application for Degree and pay the applicable fee for the semester in which they complete degree requirements. The Application for Degree must be on file in the Registrar's Office one week prior to the commencement ceremony for that semester.
  
• Am I required to purchase a cap and gown to participate in the commencement ceremony?
  Yes, the traditional black cap and gown is required to participate in the commencement ceremony. A tassel should also be purchased ahead of time.
  Students receiving their master's and doctoral degrees should also purchase the appropriate hood in order participate in the commencement ceremony.
  Caps and gowns may be purchased at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore located in the Lowman Student Center on the campus.
  
• Where is the commencement ceremony held?
  All commencement ceremonies are held in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. Degree candidates should arrive at the Health and Kinesiology Center, located across the street from the coliseum, one hour prior to their ceremony.
  

  Applying for graduation
  All degree candidates (Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral) must file an Application for Degree with the Registrar's Office. Applications for Degree should be filed by the published deadlines (seen below). There is a $25.00 fee due at the time the Application for Degree is submitted for candidates who file by the published deadline dates.
  
  Students who file a degree application after the deadline will be charged $50.00. Filing after the deadline will also delay the academic evaluation performed by the Registrar's Office. In order to have a degree posted for a semester, the Application for Degree must be on file in the Registrar's Office one week prior to the commencement ceremony.

  What does my degree application fee cover?
  The degree application fee covers the cost of printing your diploma, postage expense, the diploma tube received at commencement, as well as other costs incurred to host a commencement ceremony.

Certification of degree candidates
The certification of degree candidates will be completed approximately one week after the commencement date. All diplomas will be mailed to the permanent address approximately 3 weeks after commencement. During the December commencement exercises, however, a delay in the mailing of diplomas should be expected.

It is the responsibility of the graduating student to maintain an updated permanent address on their record. Students whose diplomas are returned to the Registrar's Office by the U.S. Postal Service for "incorrect address" will be required to pay a $7.50 mailing fee in order to have their diplomas mailed to a new address which must be provided in writing to the Registrar's office.

Applying Online:
You can now file your degree application online through SamWeb. Mastercard and Visa are accepted forms of payment when applying online.

Students must complete ALL graduation requirements in the semester in which they are graduating. A student must be clear of all financial obligations to SHSU before receiving a diploma. You should check your account status to be sure all financial obligations are taken care of prior to commencement.

DEGREE APPLICATION DEADLINES:	DEGREE APPLICATION FEES:
Students are encouraged to apply by the published deadline dates to avoid paying the late fee for the application. Late applications are accepted through the week prior to the commencement date, but a late fee is charged.	$25.00 for students who apply by the published deadlines. Application fees to do NOT roll over for future semesters.
December 2007 Applications for Degree will be accepted through December 13, 2007. To have your name included in the commencement program you must apply no later than November 16, 2007.	$50.00 Late Fee Assesed with Application for Degree
Deadline: Friday, February 1, 2008 to graduate in May 2008	$25.00 (You may submit your Application for Degree as early as November 2007, however, academic evaluations will not begin until February 2008.)
Deadline: Friday, March 7, 2008, to graduate in August 2008	$25.00 (You may submit your Application for Degree as early as January 2008, however academic evaluations will not begin until March 2008.)
Applying after the published deadline dates might hinder your name from appearing in the commencement program. It is best to apply by the published deadline dates. The commencement program is sent to press approximately one month prior to the commencement ceremony.	Students who do not meet degree requirements in the semester for which their application is filed, will be required to re-apply for the next available graduation date and will be required to pay a $50.00 application fee.
Information about your Application for Degree: In order to have a degree posted for a specific semester/year, the Application for Degree must be on file in the Registrar's Office one week prior to the commencement date. Example: December 14, 2007 is the commencement date for Fall 2007, the Application for Degree for each student must be on file in the Registrar's Office one week prior to December 14. It is the student's responsibility to submit the Application for Degree.	Late Applicants: An additional $25.00 late fee will be assessed for those students who apply after the published deadline dates.

ANOTHER REMINDER: Degree requirements must be completed in the semester for which application has been made in order to have a degree posted for that semester/year, along with the submission of the Application for Degree prior to the commencement date.

Transferring Final Coursework from Another University
All transfer work must be received in the Registrar's Office the same day SHSU grades for degree candidates are due. The Registrar's Office of the transferring institution may fax or call in a grade to SHSU. Grades will NOT be accepted from the professor. Students should make arrangements with the Registrar's Office of the transferring institution prior to enrollment to ensure that the grade is received at SHSU in a timely manner. A student MUST also request that an official transcript be sent to SHSU upon completion of coursework.

Graduating with Honors

To qualify to graduate with the recognition of Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude students must meet all the following criteria:

• Achieve a minimum Sam Houston State University grade point average of 3.50 computed on all resident classroom instruction.
• Achieve not less than a 3.50 cumulative grade point average computed on all accepted transfer resident classroom instruction and Sam Houston State University resident classroom instruction.
• Completed not fewer than thirty-two semester credit hours in residence at Sam Houston State University; not fewer than twenty-four of hours must be advanced.
• Completed all other requirements for graduation at Sam Houston State University.
  

UNDERGRADUATE LATIN HONORS

Cum Laude	Magna Cum Laude	Summa Cum Laude
-SHSU grade point average must be in the 3.50 - 3.66 range. -Cumulative grade point average must be in the 3.50 - 3.66 r a nge.	-SHSU grade point average must be in the 3.67 - 3.85 range. -Cumulative grade point average must be in the 3.67 - 3.85 range.	-SHSU grade point average must be in the 3.86 - 4.00 range. -Cumulative grade point average must be in the 3.86 - 4.00 range.

Cumulative grade point average is an average of all transfer course work and the Sam Houston State University course work together. Both grade point averages are taken into consideration when determining Latin Honors. SHSU grade point average is an average of the course work taken at Sam Houston State University only.

The Academic Honor published and recognized at the date of commencement will reflect the honor status a student has achieved as of the 12th class day of the Fall/Spring graduating semester or the 4th class day of the second summer session for the summer graduation.

Once all grades have been posted to all graduating senior academic transcripts, honors will be re-calculated using the current semester grades. The academic honor posted to the diploma and transcript will reflect the final grade point average at that time. (Please note that any subsequent grade changes may affect a student's honor status.)

Transcripts
Transcripts reflecting the degree conferred are normally available the second Monday following commencement. Transcripts may be ordered online through SamWeb. However, if you are requesting a transcript which should have a degree posted, please check your Unofficial Transcript through SamWeb to be sure that your degree has been posted. If you order your transcript online before your degree is posted to your official academic transcript, you will be required to re-submit your transcript request and pay an additional $5.00 to have your transcript released with your posted degree.
(*Please note that Sam Houston State University is closed at the Christmas holidays.)

Diplomas (Effective with the May 2003 graduates):
A Sam Houston State University diploma will be printed on 11 X 14 paper. The name to appear on the diploma will be the name as it appears on the Application for degree. (Please print as legibly as possible.)

* All diplomas will be mailed to the permanent address listed on the student's academic record. It is the student's responsibility to update their permanent address. An additional fee of $7.50 is charged to re-send a diploma whose address was incorrect at the time of mailing.

Duplicate diplomas may be ordered through the Registrar's Office by submitting a request in writing and including a student identification number or social security number, the name to appear on the diploma (please print legibly!), and the address to which the diploma should be mailed. Duplicate diplomas may be picked up in the Registrar's Office if you so choose. The charge for a duplicate diploma will be $25.00.

Degree Verification
Sam Houston State University has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to act as our agent in responding to requests for degree verifications from providers of student services. Below you will find contact information for the National Student Clearinghouse.

For General Customer Service Inquires	Call: (703)742-4200
For Degree Verification Inquires	Fax: (703)724-4239
Customer Service Email	service@studentclearinghouse.org
Website	http://www.nslc.org

Pictures and Video
Ric Strong, of Flash Photography, takes the graduation pictures and offers a video of the commencement exercise. Flash Photography will send proofs to students at their permanent address once they are developed. You can reach Mr. Strong at Flash Photography, 3001 S. University, Fort Worth, TX 76109, or you may reach him by telephone at 800-410-8070, should you have questions regarding your graduation pictures.

Regalia and Graduation Announcements
Graduation regalia and announcements may be obtained from the area bookstores:

Barnes and Nobles University Bookstore
Located in the Lowman Student Center
Phone: 936-294-1862

The Official Ring of Sam Houston State University

• Rings can be viewed and ordered at Bearkat Books and Kampus Korner during their business hours
  Bearkat Books - Phone: 936-295-4108 or 936-295-5771
• For more information visit: http://alumni.shsu.edu
  OR call 1-866-BALFOUR (866-225-3687)
• You may also contact the Alumni Relations Office for additional information about the Official Ring of Sam Houston State University.
  Alumni Relations Office - Phone: 936-294-1841

Commencement Speaker
Check the Today@Sam site to see who the commencement speaker will be.

Seating at Commencement
Seating at commencement, located in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations are NOT available for seating. Please note that friends and family will NOT be allowed to "save seats" prior to the commencement ceremony inside the coliseum.

Once the coliseum reaches capacity, additional seating will be provided in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom and Theatre where live video feed will ensure that each guest will see their special graduate cross the stage. There are restrooms and a baby changing station located on the concourse of the coliseum, as well as in the nearby Teacher Education Center.

Any other concerns not addressed on this page should be directed to ask.regstaff@shsu.edu or you may call 936-294-4245.

MINIMUM Degree Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree:

Regardless of the degree sought, there are certain minimum requirements. The student is responsible for knowledge of the detailed requirements of the degree selected and any special requirements of the major and/or minor department.

ALL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS MUST:

• Complete a minimum of 128 hours (developmental hours do not count towards degree requirements)
  
• Complete 42 advanced hours (300/400 level courses from a four-year institution), of which 24 must be "in residence" (taken at SHSU). Courses taken at a junior or community college do not count as advanced hours regardless of the course number assigned to the course.
  
• Complete 12 advanced hours "in residence" from the major department and 6 advanced hours in residence from the minor department.
  
• Maintain a 2.00 grade point average in the major, the minor, and overall. (Contact the major department for assistance in calculating grade point averages.) (Please note that transfer grades are calculated separately from SHSU grades. A 2.00 grade point average must be maintained in SHSU course work and the overall combined grade point average for the following: major, minor, and overall.)
  
• Complete 6 courses (18 hours) of writing enhanced coursework to include:
  2 courses (6 hours) from major course work
  2 courses (6 hours) from English Composition
  2 additional courses (6 hours) from any academic discipline

• "In Residence": Correspondence course work does NOT count as "In Residence" course work.

Minimum Degree Requirements for the Masters and Doctoral Degrees Include:
(Note: THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST of requirements. Masters and Doctoral students must check with their department chairs/coordinators for complete departmental degree requirements)

• A student should apply for admission to candidacy to their program at the completion of 15 semester hours.
  
• A student should submit thesis proposal 14 weeks prior to graduation, if thesis is required for their academic program.
  
• A student should complete written and/or oral comprehensive examinations, if applicable. (Graduate Students required to take Comprehensive Examinations must be be enrolled at Sam Houston State University the semester in which they plan to take their examination.)
  
• Graduate and Doctoral students should recognize that admission to graduate work does not imply admission to candidacy. The procedure for admission to candidacy involves meeting all requirements for Regular Admission to Graduate Study.
  
• All official transcripts must be submitted and required admissions test scores should be on file, in the appropriate department chair's/coordinator's offices.
  
• All stem work must be completed.
  
• A minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 is required.
  
• Petition admission to candidacy, when required by departments.

A graduate student writing a thesis or dissertation must enroll in the thesis courses 698 and 699 or in dissertation courses 896, 897, 898, 899 or EDL 833. Student enrollment in 699 or 899 or EDL 833 must be for the semester or summer session in which the student expects to receive the degree. If the degree is not awarded at the end of that semester or summer session, re-enrollment in 699 or in 899 or EDL 833 will be required during a subsequent semester or summer session in which the degree is again expected to be awarded.

A student who enrolls for 699 or for 899 or EDL 833 and does not complete the thesis or dissertation during the semester or summer session of enrollment will be awarded the mark of IP on their transcript (indicating in completion.) A student receiving the IP mark must continue to enroll in 699 or 899 or EDL 833 during regular semesters and one summer session until completion of the thesis or dissertation, and must be enrolled in 699 or 899 or EDL 833 during the semester the degree is awarded. (If a student is to graduate in the second summer session, enrollment is required in one of the summer sessions but not both summer sessions.)