Congratulations!
Dear students, congratulations on meeting this milestone of applying for graduation. Once your academic, financial, and other records are reviewed and approved, you will be confirmed as graduates during the May 2024 Commencement Convocation. You have worked hard and deserve this recognition for your academic success at South Carolina State University. We are proud of your accomplishments!
Masks
Masks will be encouraged for all attendees and participants.
Commencement Date and Ceremony
SC State will host the 2024 Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 10 a.m. in Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
Line-up
All prospective graduates MUST assemble in Staley Hall at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024, to receive your name card for the ceremony.
Bags/Security Policy
The university will allow no bags into the stadium with few exceptions for those with special circumstances. A clear bag policy will be in effect for guests needing medication and mothers small children. Everyone entering the stadium will be subject to security checks.
All Students
Students will not be eligible to participate in a Commencement Ceremony unless all degree requirements have been completed prior to participation. In addition, students will not be allowed to participate in Commencement if they have not submitted their graduation application forms to the Registrar’s Office by the deadline listed on the University Calendar. Students who miss this deadline must apply for the next Commencement Ceremony.
Graduation Attire
Female graduates are asked to wear black dresses, and Male graduates are asked to wear black slacks and white shirts with a dark tie underneath their caps and gowns.
Special Note: Only University Official caps, gowns, hoods, and other academic regalia accessories purchased through the University Bookstore are permitted at the Commencement Ceremony.
Ticket Information
In the event of inclement weather on graduation day, the ceremony will move to Smith-Hammond-Mddleton Memorial Center (SHM). Graduates will be given 10 tickets to a limited number of guests to enter the arena. Since everyone who may wish to attend the graduation ceremony may not be able to do so, the Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed. More information about how to view the ceremony online will be shared via email and on the university’s website at www.scsu.edu.
Rehearsal and Honor Accessories
Commencement rehearsal will be Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 9 a.m. at the stadium.
Honor accessories will be distributed immediately after rehearsal.
Graduation with Honors
AVERAGE
- Summa Cum Laude 3.75 or above
- Magna Cum Laude 3.50 - 3.74
- Cum Laude 3.00 - 3.49
Attendance at Commencement
Attendance at the Ceremony is required of all candidates for degrees unless you have extenuating circumstances that will prevent you from participating in the ceremony.
Legacy Students
A student who has a parent or grandparent who has attended or graduated from the university is identified as a Legacy Student. One parent or grandparent may join the graduate on the commencement stage to assit President Conyers in awarding the degree. Legacy stoles will be distributed upon arrival at Staley Hall on Commencement day.
Request to Graduate in Absentia
If you plan to graduate in May 2024 but will not be able to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, you must submit a letter or email requesting permission to graduate in absentia by Friday, April 26, 2024, to:
Mrs. Felicia L. McMillan Registrar’s Office PO Box 8104 SC State University, Orangeburg, SC 29117 Or by email: Registrar@scsu.eduApplications for Degrees
Applying for graduation is a university requirement for all undergraduates and graduate prospective students. The application must be filed in the term prior to the expected degree completion term. The date of graduation will be recorded for the term of completion.
Failure to clear for graduation will require the degree candidate to reapply for graduation and payment of another graduation fee for the next subsequent commencement.
All applications for degrees must be submitted to the Registrar's Office no later than the date set forth in the University Academic Calendar. That deadline for May 2024 Commencement was February 9, 2024. Applications are now being accepted for the July 2024 graduation.
Disclaimer for Commencement Program Booklet
The Commencement program booklet lists the names of students who have applied for graduation. However, the appearance of the names of these candidates for graduation in the booklet does not mean that they have completed all the requirements to earn the degree for which they applied. The official transcript indicating that the degree has been awarded is the proof that the degree has been earned.
It is the responsibility of the student to do the following:
1. Students are responsible for the completion of their academic programs, based upon the requirements stated in the University Catalog.
Students must conduct a Curriculum, Advising, and Program Planning (CAPP) degree audit in the Apps Portal. Below are the steps to follow to track your degree requirements (Undergraduates Students Only).
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- apps.scsu.edu
- Student Profile
- Degree Evaluation
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2. Schedule an appointment with your advisor to review all degree requirements. The advisor is available to counsel, but the responsibility to ensure all degree completion remains with the student.
3. Complete an undergraduate or graduate application for graduation with your department.
4. Pay the graduation fee in the Cashier’s Office or online.
5. Submit your graduation application with proof of payment to the Registrar’s Office on or before the Graduation Fee Payment Deadline.
NOTE: An Application for Graduation is complete only after it has been submitted to the Registrar’s Office, Second Floor, Moss Hall, Room 202 or emailed to Registrar@scsu.edu.
Diploma Pick-up
Diploma pick-up is scheduled for Friday, May 10, 2024, immediately following Commencement in Staley Hall. A photo identification is required and mask are encouraged.
If your application for graduation was submitted to the Office of the Registrar after Friday, February 23, 2024, your diploma is a late order and will not be available for pick-up. Therefore, once your diploma is received at the University, it will be mailed to the address you have on file within 30 business days.
If your degree is not picked up immediately following Commencement, it will be mailed to your address on file within 30 business days.
Again, as a reminder, diploma pick-up will be immediately after Commencement in Staley Hall Auditorium. A photo identification is required and mask are encouraged.
Alumni Weekend Activities
Alumni who may have questions regarding Alumni Weekend activities should contact Mrs. Iva Gardner at 839-356-0527 or 803-516-4616.
Disabilities
If you are experiencing a medical condition that will require special attention during the Commencement Ceremony, please contact Mrs. Sharon Heatley at 803-536-8394 by Monday, April 26, 2024.