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 2025 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!
Commencement Date and Ceremony
SC State will host the 2025 Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. The university's clear bag policy will be in effect for all those entering the stadium.
Line-up
All prospective graduates MUST assemble in Staley Hall at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, to take your picture with the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees and receive your name card for the ceremony.
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.
Inclement Weather Ticket Information
In the case of inclement weather, graduates will be given eight tickets to limit the number of guests who enter Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. 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 8, 2024, at 9 a.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Please arrive by 8:30 a.m. All students are required to stay for the entire duration of the rehearsal, as important announcements will be made. 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.
Request to Graduate in Absentia
If you plan to graduate in May 2025 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 April 28, 2025, to:
Mrs. Felicia L. McMillan Registrar’s Office PO Box 8104 SC State University, Orangeburg, SC 29117 or 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 2025 Commencement was Feb. 7, 2025. Applications are now being accepted for the December 2025 graduation.
It is the responsibility of the student to do the following:
- 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 (undergraduate students only).
- apps.scsu.edu
- Student Profile
- Degree Evaluation
- 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.
- Complete an undergraduate or graduate application for graduation with your department.
- Pay the graduation fee in the Cashier’s Office or online.
- 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 9, 2025, immediately following Commencement in Staley Hall. A photo identification is required.
If your application for graduation was submitted to the Office of the Registrar after Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, 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.
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 Wednesday, April 28, 2025.
Graduation Program Listings
Commencement program booklets will list the names of students who have applied for graduation. The appearance of the names of these candidates for graduation in the booklet, however, does not mean they have completed all the requirements to earn the degree for which they applied. The official transcript indicating the degree has been awarded is the proof that the degree has been earned.