Get Prepared for Commencement

Applying for graduation

Every Franklin student must complete a graduation application to receive a diploma, even if you do not plan to participate in the commencement ceremony. Beginning June 17, 2024, the graduation application can be found through the Self Service link in your my.franklin.edu account.

*Please note that if you fail to graduate in the trimester for which you apply, you must complete a new application for any subsequent trimester, including required fees.

**If you are planning a move in the trimester of your graduation, please contact the Registrar's Office directly to confirm your mailing address.

Due dates

Graduation applications for the Fall 2024 term are due by Monday, September 16, 2024. A late application fee will apply after this date. 

• Undergraduate student fee: There is a $65 fee added to your account, and $25 for each additional degree awarded in the same trimester.
• Graduate student fee: There is a $85 fee added to your account. 
• Doctorate student fee: There is a $150 fee added to your account. 
• Late fees: Applications received from September 17 through September 30 will be assessed a $100.00 late fee. Applications WILL NOT be accepted after September 30, 2024.
• Outstanding balances: All outstanding balances must be paid in full by December 1, 2024 in order to pick up your regalia and participate in the Commencement ceremony. Franklin will not issue diplomas or transcripts to students with unpaid balances.

Students with Deferred Tuition

If you are on the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan, any outstanding tuition balance is due in advance of the normal deferred payment date. There is no extension allowed as in other trimesters.

Preliminary Degree Audit

You will receive an email from your academic advisor confirming the status of completion toward your degree requirements.

Applying for graduation

Every Franklin student must complete a graduation application to receive a diploma, even if you do not plan to participate in the commencement ceremony. The graduation application can be found through Self Service in your my.franklin.edu account.

**Please note that if you fail to graduate in the trimester for which you apply, you must complete a new application for any subsequent trimester, including required fees.**

***If you are planning a move in the trimester of your graduation, please contact the Registrar's Office directly to confirm your mailing address.***

Due Dates

Graduation applications for the Spring term are due by January 20, 2025. A late application fee will apply after this date.

• Undergraduate student fee:  There is a $65 fee due with your application, and $25 for each additional degree awarded in the same trimester.
• Graduate student fee:  There is a $85 fee due with your application.
• Doctorate student fee:  There is a $150 fee due with your application.
• Late fees:  Applications received from January 21, 2025 through February 3, 2025 will be assessed a $100.00 late fee. Applications will NOT be accepted after February 3, 2025.
• Outstanding balances: All outstanding balances must be paid in full by April 21, 2025. In order to pick up your regalia and participate in the graduation ceremony, all outstanding balances must be paid.

Franklin University will not issue diplomas or transcripts to students with unpaid balances.

Students with Deferred Tuition:  If you are on the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan, any outstanding tuition balance is due in advance of the normal deferred payment date. There is no extension allowed as in other trimesters.

Preliminary Degree Audit:  Upon review of your graduation application, you will receive an email from your academic advisor confirming the status of completion of your degree requirements.

Fall 2024 (January 5, 2025) Graduates:  Between Monday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 18 regalia (cap & gown) will be available to pick up at the Paul J. Otte Student Services Center at 331 E. Rich Street in downtown Columbus. Hours of operation are: Monday - Wednesday 8am - 6 pm.*

Individuals must show photo ID to pick up their regalia.

 If you are sending someone to pick up the regalia for you, you must complete the Graduation Regalia Release Form. The individual must show photo ID for regalia to be released.

*The Student Services Center will be closed Wednesday, December 18 from 11 am - 2 pm. 

*The Student Services Center will have special hours on Thursday, January 2 from 10 am - 6 pm ONLY for graduates to pick up regalia. 

The University is closed December 21, 2024 - January 1, 2025 for Winter Break.

Regalia not picked up by Thursday, January 2 at 6 pm will be available during graduate check-in on the day of the ceremony (1/5/25) at the Columbus Convention Center.

Please note: If you plan to attend commencement, you may request to have your regalia mailed to you. Please e-mail the Registrar's Office at registrar@franklin.edu no later than Thursday, December 5, 2024 with the desired shipping address to make arrangements.

Spring 2025 (June 1, 2025) Graduates:  Regalia (cap & gown) will be available in April 2025. Please check back for exact details. 

Regalia not picked up by Wednesday, May 28 will be available on the day of the ceremony at the Columbus Convention Center prior to the ceremony.

Fall 2024 Commencement:  If you have earned credit from another college or university but have not yet submitted an official transcript, it must be received no later than December 27, 2024 in order to receive your diploma at the ceremony. All current courses must be completed by December 21, 2024 to maintain eligibility to graduate this term. Please have transcripts sent directly to Franklin University.

If you need to complete FUPE or CLEP testing, the last day you may do so and still be able to graduate this term is November 29, 2024. Failure to pass a proficiency exam will result in delayed graduation.

Spring 2025 Commencement:  If you have earned credit from another college or university but have not yet submitted an official transcript, it must be received no later than May 23, 2025 in order to receive your diploma at the ceremony. All current courses must be completed by May 10, 2025 to maintain eligibility to graduate this term. Please have transcripts sent directly to Franklin University.

If you need to complete FUPE or CLEP testing, the last day you may do so and still be able to graduate this term is April 15, 2025. Failure to pass a proficiency exam will result in delayed graduation.

There will be no rehearsal for the commencement ceremony.

When to arrive

Graduates attending the Commencement should plan to arrive at The Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio no later than 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. The Commencement Ceremony will be held in the Battelle Grand Ballroom.

Registration

Upon arrival, please proceed to the check-in to register and retrieve your information card, which will include your procession number.

Processional line

Forty-five minutes prior to the ceremony, you will take your place in line for the processional. Five minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, you will proceed in one of two single-file lines (down a flight of stairs) in to the event location. 

Please note: Tassels are to remain on the right side of your cap.

Commencement start

Commencement will begin promptly at the start time.

Latin honors awarded for Undergraduate academic achievement will be determined after all final grades are processed for the term. Qualified graduates will receive honor cords at Commencement. All undergraduate students must meet the residency requirement and are awarded Latin honors based on the following grade point average (GPA):

• Gold signifies Summa Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher
• White signifies Magna Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.70-3.89
• Red signifies Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.69

Graduates will enter the Commencement ceremony in two single-file lines (down a flight of stairs), according to assigned procession numbers. Please stay in line and follow the person in front of you. Failure to do so can result in your receiving someone else's diploma.

The procession will enter the hall at the start time of the ceremony. Floor Marshals will direct you to the proper row. Graduates will remain standing until those on stage are seated. During the ceremony, please take your cue from the speaker on stage and the Floor Marshals as to when you should stand or be seated.

Secure personal items:

Franklin University does not guarantee the security of any personal items left unattended during commencement. Please either take personal items (purses, cellular phones, pagers, etc.) with you or leave them with a family member or guest.

All cellular phones and pagers must be turned off during the ceremony.

Announcement of degrees

The Chairman of the Franklin University Board of Trustees will announce the awarding of degrees. With caps on, graduates will rise together and remain standing. During the ceremony, graduates will be given directions on when to move tassels.

Bestowing of degrees

Dr. David Decker, University President, will verbally bestow the appropriate degrees and then ask graduates to be seated. The Floor Marshals will guide individual rows of graduates to the stage, one row at a time. You will stand along the side of the stage to avoid blocking the view of guests.

On the stage

When you reach the stage, give your information card (which you received at the time of registration) to the attendant. When your name is called, walk across the stage. Each graduate will shake hands with Dr. Decker, receive your diploma from the faculty, then return to the appropriate row and be seated.

Please remain seated until all graduates have received their diplomas. This demonstrates support for your fellow graduates and helps avoid disruption. You will then rise for the benediction and remain standing for the recessional.

Please note

Academic majors will not be listed on the diplomas. Academic transcripts are the official record of programs of study.

When the recessional music begins, exit the ceremony, following those on stage. Floor Marshals will assist you in exiting one row at a time. You will exit in the same order you entered (i.e., first in, last out). Please exit via the same aisle by which you entered the ceremony.

Guests may take photographs from their seats during the graduation ceremony. USA FOTO, Inc. will photograph you as you shake hands with Franklin University President Dr. David Decker. Details and information regarding purchase will be emailed to your email.franklin.edu account following the ceremony.

The Franklin University commencement ceremony will be streamed live for those families and friends who wish to watch the ceremony from home. A link to access the live stream will be made available on the Graduation Information page at at the start time of each commencement ceremony.