Axe ’Em, Jacks!
The Dates and Details page is your resource for important timeline information regarding your anticipated graduation date. Review the timeline closely and often.
Want to get the most out of your graduation experience?
| Applying on Time | Applying Late |
|---|---|
| Costs less. | Doubles the fee. |
| Finds transcript deficiencies early so you can graduate on time. | Finds transcript deficiencies late, which may delay graduation. |
| Option to walk in commencement ceremony. | Participation may not be an option. |
| Name can be included in commencement program. | Name may not be included. |
| More time for ordering regalia. | Stricter deadlines for ordering. |
| More time to order announcements, your class ring and photos. | More stress in your final semester. |
| More time to submit the optional photo and/or message for pre-ceremony slideshow. | Stricter deadlines to submit. |
Know your deadlines: Visit our Dates and Details page often.
Key terms to know
Commencement: The ceremony celebrating your graduation. Participation is optional.
Conferral Date: Also referred to as your graduation date, this is the official date your degree will be awarded and the date that will be printed on your diploma. It does not always match the commencement date.
Graduate: A student who has successfully completed all requirements necessary to earn a degree, has received a clear audit after final grades have posted and has had a degree officially awarded. The transcript will show “Degree Awarded” once this step has been completed.
Graduation: The successful completion of a course of study. All students must apply to graduate in order to receive a diploma.
Graduation candidate: Someone who has applied to graduate but has not yet fulfilled the requirements, had final grades verified and had the degree awarded.
Graduation vs. Commencement
Graduation and commencement are not the same. Many students graduate, but not all choose to attend the commencement ceremony.
Graduation dates and commencement dates are not necessarily the same. This happens when there are multiple commencement dates for the same semester. The graduation date, also known as the conferral date, is usually Saturday. Commencement ceremonies may be held on both Friday and Saturday.
What if I need to change my graduation date?
If you have already applied to graduate and need to delay graduation to a later semester, email graduation@sfasu.edu from your student email.
Include your:
- name
- campus ID number
- and a request to delete your graduation application.
It is helpful to copy your academic advisor on this email. Once the graduation team deletes your application, you will be notified via email and may reapply for a different semester.
What if I need to change my legal name?
If you intend to apply for graduation and know you will need to change your legal name, follow these steps:
- Apply to graduate.
- Update your university record using the legal name change form on our Forms and Resources page. Documentation is required. You will receive a confirmation once it has been completed.
- Email graduation@sfasu.edu from your student email. Include your:
- name
- campus ID number
- and a request to update your diploma name.
You will receive a confirmation once the change has been completed.
Although with proper documentation, this process can be completed rather quickly, it is optimal that this process be completed two to four months prior to your graduation date.
Step One: Submitting your application to graduate
If you are planning to participate in commencement, be aware of the possible implications if your application is not processed at least two months before your commencement ceremony.
How late applications may affect commencement ceremony participation:
Applications submitted during the late application window are processed by hand in the order in which the request form is received, and therefore it may take several months to complete your request.
The deadline to complete the application process and confirm your personal graduation information is 30 days prior to your commencement ceremony. If you have not completed all necessary steps before this date, your name may not appear in the commencement program and you should expect to be seated last in the ceremony.
Applications submitted two weeks prior to ceremony: Students who apply for graduation during the two weeks prior to the ceremony will not be permitted to participate.
"Did I already apply?"
Once you have applied to graduate, you may view your application in MySFA.
- Log in to mySFA.
- Select "Academics" from the menu.
- Within the Graduation box, click the "View Personal Graduation Information" link to see your application.
Applying via mySFA
Read the appropriate how-to guide before applying to graduate:
Links appear within the Graduation box on the mySFA Academics page once a student becomes eligible to apply for graduation. If links are not present, revisit the mySFA page after final grades are posted and before late fees begin.
Email application (use only if directed)
Do not use the email application unless otherwise directed by the Office of the Registrar.
- Download the fillable request for graduation audit (PDF).
- Enter your information.
- Print.
- Sign application at the bottom. No electronic signatures accepted.
- Scan and email to graduation@sfasu.edu
Graduating with Latin Honors (summer 2022 and prior)
A student receiving a bachelor's degree with academic honors has completed a course of study with at least 54 semester hours of SFA residence coursework excluding pass/fail hours and has an overall GPA as follows:
| Honor | GPA Range |
|---|---|
| Summa cum laude | 3.800 to 4.000 |
| Magna cum laude | 3.600 to 3.799 |
| Cum laude | 3.400 to 3.599 |
Honors called at the commencement ceremony are based on the academic totals as of the student's last completed semester. After commencement and final grades are submitted, honors are recalculated. Final honors earned are posted to the transcript and printed on the diploma. Final honors may be higher or lower than those called at commencement.
For students pursuing a second bachelor's degree, 30 of the required 54 semester hours must be new hours earned at SFA. Read the HOP policy 02-218 (PDF) for details.
Master's and doctoral program candidates are not eligible for honors.
Five-year professional accountancy program candidates are considered graduate students. Your diploma and transcript will note undergraduate honors earned; however, they will not be announced during the commencement ceremony.
Graduating with Latin Honors (effective fall 2022)
A student receiving a bachelor's degree with academic honors has:
- completed a course of study with at least 42 semester hours of SFA residence coursework excluding pass/fail hours
- and in the final 30 advanced-GPA hours (3000- and 4000-level courses) has a GPA as follows:
| Honor | GPA Range |
|---|---|
| Summa cum laude | 3.900 to 4.000 |
| Magna cum laude | 3.700 to 3.899 |
| Cum laude | 3.500 to 3.699 |
Honors called at the commencement ceremony are based on the academic totals as of the student's last completed semester. After commencement and final grades are submitted, honors are recalculated. Final honors earned are posted to the transcript and printed on the diploma. Final honors may be higher or lower than those called at commencement.
For students pursuing a second bachelor's degree, 30 of the required 42 semester hours must be new hours earned at SFA. Read the HOP policy 02-218 (PDF) for details.
Master's and doctoral program candidates are not eligible for honors.
Five-year professional accountancy program candidates are considered graduate students. Your diploma and transcript will note undergraduate honors earned; however, they will not be announced during the commencement ceremony.
Graduating as a University Scholar
A student receiving a bachelor's degree with University Scholar distinction has completed the necessary criteria set by the School of Honors.