Graduating Students

Verify with your Academic Advisor that you are on-track to complete all degree requirements. Seniors are required to get advised prior to registering for classes each semester. 

Make your advising appointment by visiting the SAM Center.

A graduation application is required in the term in which you are completing all of your degree requirements, regardless of your intention to participate in the commencement ceremony. Submitting your graduation application will ensure you are awarded your degree if all requirements have been met by the end of the semester.

Undergraduate students are required to apply for the rebate on forms provided by the institution prior to receiving their baccalaureate degrees. Students are also required to keep the institution apprised of their address for at least 30 days after their graduation date. 
 
In order to be eligible, you should be an undergraduate student, and you should be completing degree requirements for the current term in order to submit a tuition rebate form. Students who do not meet degree requirements for the current term will need to submit a new tuition rebate form in the term they do meet the requirements needed for graduation. 
 
Deadline: Tuition rebate forms are due by 5PM on the last Friday of the semester (during finals week). 

Please visit our tuition rebate page to get more information about eligibility and what to expect.

If you plan to participate, check the Commencement ceremony schedule to determine when the ceremony for your academic college (or major) will occur. 

Tickets are required for Commencement and eligible graduates will receive an allotment of 8 tickets. Graduates will be notified via SHSU email when tickets will become available. Graduates will not need to claim a ticket for Commencement; however, all guests must present a ticket to gain admittance. A live webcast will be provided for all ceremonies for those who are unable to attend. 

Follow-up with your advisor if you need to initiate any paperwork for degree plan exceptions. Monitor your DegreeWorks for any updates to your degree plan. 

All exceptions should be received in the Registrar’s Office no later than the 12th class day of the fall/spring term or 4th class day of summer term. 

If you are planning to transfer in any credits to satisfy a degree requirement in your last semester, the transfer credit must be officially received and applied to your degree by SHSU's final grade deadline. The deadline may be found on the academic calendar. 

Please verify on the Monday after your Commencement ceremony that all of your transfer work has been received and applied to your degree. 

Evaluations: Check your graduation status through your DegreeWorks. Evaluations are done twice; once at the beginning of term, after you apply for graduation, and again after final grades have been posted.  

We strongly recommend verifying how your first and last name is spelled in MySam. Names may be printed in various graduation-related documents as applicable (such as diplomas, seating cards, requested transcripts, commencement programs, etc.). 

If you need to change the way your name is spelled in any way, submit a name change request form. 

If you have previously submitted a FERPA Opt-Out Form to withhold your public directory information, your name will not be published in the commencement program. 

Order your cap and gown through Herff Jones prior to your Commencement ceremony. Deadline to order is Month, Date, Year.

Diplomas will be mailed to your "Permanent Legal Address" on file (note: diplomas will not be mailed to the "Mailing" address or any other address type on file). 

The deadline to update your permanent legal address and ensure your diploma is mailed to the correct address is the last class day of the semester in which you have applied to graduate (see the academic calendar for last class day). 

You can update your permanent legal address by following this guide.

• Satisfy all outstanding balances
  • All outstanding balances must be paid in full prior to the release of diplomas. Be sure to check your student account via MySam for any outstanding balances. 
• Financial aid exit counseling
  • If you have used financial aid, you must complete exit counseling in MySam. Failure to do so will prevent your official transcripts from being released. Contact our Financial Aid Office for more information. 

• Find your dream job!
  • Career Services can assist you in your career search. It is recommended that you update your BEARKATS GET HIRED (partnered with Handshake) account. You can explore thousands of careers and establish a strong job-search network in Handshake. 
• Create a financial plan!
  • The Student Money Management Center (SMMC) assists students and alumni with obtaining a financial game plan after graduation by providing information on loan repayments, public service loan forgiveness, budgeting, emergency funds, and long-term wealth and retirement planning. 
  • To schedule a personalized consultation, please contact the SMCC at 936.294.2600, by email at smmc@shsu.edu, or by visiting the SMMC offices located in the Student Affairs Annex at 919 Bearkat Blvd. 
• Leave your legacy!
  • Visit the Senior Class website for more information or leave your legacy today! For additional information regarding SHSU graduate programs, please visit the SHSU Graduate Studies website. 

For the safety of all students, increasing accessibility, and like other universities in the state, we are moving the stage to the floor as part of the ceremony. Graduates will be recognized by name and receive their diplomas from President White. This change will not limit the audience’s view of the graduates. 

Bring your graduation cap (with tassel), appropriate gown, and appropriate hood (masters and doctoral candidates), and hat (doctoral candidates). 

Purses and backpacks are not permitted on the coliseum floor. Items left unattended in the line-up rooms of the RSC are not the responsibility of the graduation personnel. 

Graduates should check-in at the Recreational Sports Center (RSC) at least one hour prior to their scheduled ceremony. Signage will be posted in the general area to follow to the check-in location.  

Students can locate the college to which they belong in DegreeWorks. Information regarding specific college ceremonies can be found on the commencement website.  

Graduates may request reasonable accommodations through our accommodation form.

Students requiring accommodation should submit the request form at least two weeks prior to the date of their graduation ceremony.  You will be contacted by a representative of the Registrar's Office by phone or email within three business days of submittal to discuss accommodation requests. Students who timely request will receive an email confirming accommodations at least five days prior to commencement.

Yes, and SHSU-approved regalia can be ordered through Herff Jones prior to the Commencement ceremony. Regalia can also be purchased through the SHSU Bookstore up until Commencement. 

Yes, students are expected to return to their seats after the presentation and remain seated for the duration of the ceremony. 

Actual diplomas will be mailed to the permanent legal address on record (check your permanent legal address) approximately eight weeks after Commencement. Students should confirm address information prior to the last day of the term in order to ensure diplomas are mailed to the correct address.