Fall 2024 Commencement

Graduation Checklists

 Run a Degree Evaluation

  • Go to your student profile on your MyJaxState.
  • If your catalog term is Summer 2021 or before choose Degree Evaluation.
  • If your catalog term is Fall 2021 or after choose DegreeWorks.

 Meet with your Advisor to Discuss any Degree Deficiencies

Examples of degree deficiencies:
  • Missing required courses.
  • Not having enough earned hours from a four-year college or university.
  • Missing 300/400 level earned hours.
  • Missing Writing Intensive courses.

 Register for your Final Semester Courses

  • Once registration opens for your final semester, register for classes through your MyJaxState account.
  • Follow for more registration information.

 Apply for Graduation before the Deadline

 Take your Comprehensive Exam if required (Graduate Only)

  • If you are unsure whether or not your degree program requires a comprehensive exam, please see the “Graduation and Comprehensive Exam” section of your degree program’s Graduate Catalog entry. This section is found on the Requirements tab.

 Complete the Reserve Your Seat for Graduation form

  • We request that all students complete the Reserve Your Seat for Graduation form to let us know if they plan to or do not plan to attend their commencement ceremony.
  • This form will become available on the Commencement page once ceremony times are posted.

 Graduation Fair

  • All students who have applied for graduation will receive an invitation to participate in their semester’s Graduation Fair through their JSU email. Through your invitation, you will be able to register for Cap & Gown photos and Shout-Out Videos.

 Purchase your Cap & Gown

  • Cap & Gowns are available to purchase through the Campus Bookstore.

 Resolve any Outstanding Balances

  • Outstanding balances will prevent the release of diplomas. To prevent any delays, please resolve your balance prior to graduation.

Fall 2024 Commencement


December 13, 2024 | Pete Mathews Coliseum

10:00 A.M. CeremonyCollege of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences2:00 P.M. CeremonyCollege of Business and Industry

5:00 P.M. CeremonyCollege of Education and Professional Studies
College of Health Professions and Wellness

Candidate Information

TBA

Caps, gowns, and all other regalia may be preordered on the Oak Hall website at https://jsu.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome.  All preorders will be shipped directly to the student. Regalia may also be purchased on campus at the JSU Bookstore. 

Master's, EdS, and Doctoral Hood Colors with Corresponding Degrees:
View the Hood Color Guide Graphic
Hood Color Guide (Text)

Contact the JSU Bookstore at (256)782-5283 or email sm278@bncollege.com for information regarding purchasing regalia. 

Announcements and accessories can be ordered online at https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1000739/Jacksonville-State-University/.

For information regarding the JSU custom diploma plaque, call the Office of Alumni Affairs at (256)782-5404.

Order Mementos

Please complete the Reserve Your Seat for Graduation Fall 2024 form by December 3, 2024.

As candidates enter the stage during the ceremony, they will state their name to the announcer. This will ensure the name is pronounced correctly when announced.

The Grad Team will photograph every graduate as they cross the stage and receive their diploma cover. A posed individual photo will also be taken of each graduate as they exit the stage. Free proofs will be sent by mail and email to graduates and their families within one week of the ceremony.

The Grad Team
www.thegradteam.com/events

All Diplomas Are Mailed After Graduation

Official diplomas will be mailed within 4-5 weeks following graduation. Email notification will be sent to the graduates’ GEM email accounts once diplomas are mailed. Diplomas are mailed in flat cardboard mailers. For added protection, diplomas are placed in a red, paper folder with the university’s seal embossed in gold foil. Diplomas are printed in standard sizes so that they may be easily framed. Students mus meet all financial obligations prior to the release of the diploma.

Diploma Sizes:
  8X10   Undergraduate and Graduate Diplomas
11X14   Doctoral Diploma

Candidates who have had an address change since completing the online Application for Degree will need to submit the Diploma Mailing Address Form by December 5, 2024. The diploma mailing address can be verified by viewing the graduation application under the Student Profile tab on MyJaxState.

Information on the Diploma

The JSU diploma reflects the graduate's name, degree awarded, Latin honors, special honors in major, and the date the degree was conferred. Majors, minors, and concentrations are not listed on the diploma, but they are listed on the academic transcript. Please note that graduates with double majors are being awarded one degree; therefore, one diploma will be issued.

Diploma Covers

Graduates who participate in the commencement ceremony will be presented, on stage, with a red, padded diploma cover with the university’s crest embossed in gold foil.  

Graduates who do not participate in the commencement ceremony, and wish to receive the diploma cover, may pick up the cover in the Registrar’s Office the week following graduation.

Graduates wishing to request a diploma cover be mailed, may submit the Diploma Cover Mailing form, along with payment for shipping and handling, to the Registrar’s Office.                

Guest Information

JSU welcomes your family and friends to the commencement ceremony. To ensure that all graduates are appropriately recognized, guests are asked to remain seated throughout the ceremony unless otherwise noted in the electronic program. Jacksonville State Athletics’ Clear Bag Policy will be followed at graduation.

graphic of approved and prohibited bags including: approved- clear tote, plastic, vinyl or PVC not exceeding !2 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches; storage bag - 1 gallon re-sealable clear plastic freezer bag; seat cushion or back no larger than 16 inches and no pockets; small diaper bag - must be accompanied with a child; small clutch purse - no larger than 4 and a half inches by six and a half inches, with or without a handle or strap. Prohibited items - large purses, backpacks, fanny packs, drawstring bags, large totes, duffel bags, non-clear or printed pattern totes, or camera bags.graphic depicting prohibited items, including artificial clappers, cowbells, silly string, balloons, life-size cardboard, and airhorns)

Accessible Parking Information

Parking for those with Accessibility Needs: Parking for graduates and guests with accessibility needs is available in the north and south sides of Pete Mathews Coliseum.  These parking areas are accessible from the Nisbet Street North West (Hwy 204) and Park Ave NW entrances and will require a state or university issued accessible parking placard, hangtag, or license plate. Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A cart/shuttle service will also be available to assist in transporting guests from the parking areas to the Coliseum.

Drop Off for those with Accessibility Needs: Drop-off areas are at the north and south entrances for guests with accessibility needs. Once the guest is dropped off, those not utilizing accessible parking are directed to utilize the other general parking available as identified in the general parking information section above.

 

Accessibility Access for the Ceremony

Coliseum Entrance and Accessible Seating: Persons with accessibility needs may enter the Coliseum from any of the guest entrances on the North and South side of the Coliseum. University staff will be available to assist you with seating. Seating for guests using wheelchairs or other mobility aids is on the main level at designated spaces around the arena on a first-come, first-serve basis. We request that only one person accompany the individual requiring accessible seating.

Accessible Bathrooms and Facilities: Accessible restrooms are located on the main floor (second floor) of the arena.

Wheelchair/Mobility Aid Availability: Guests in need of wheelchairs or other mobility aids should make provisions to bring those with them to the ceremony. Wheelchairs and other mobility aids are not provided at the Coliseum or parking locations.

Auditory Assistance: Accommodations for those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing will be provided in two formats. An American Sign Language interpreter will be located on the commencement stage during the ceremony. We will also offer seating with access to a screen providing captioning available in a section at the northwest corner of the arena. Staff will be present to assist you in accessing this area. We request that only one person accompany the individual requiring accessible seating.

Degree Candidates: A ramp is available to graduates to access the commencement stage. Graduates requesting the need of a wheelchair or other mobility aid may contact Disability Resources at 256-782-8380 or disabilityresources@jsu.edu. Graduates, please request these at least 48 hours in advance to allow time for our Specialists to work with you.

 

Emergency Services

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue will have an ambulance on site during the event. Assistance is available through the JSU’s UPD at 256-782-5050. UPD officers are stationed in the Stadium before and during the ceremony.

For additional accessibility information or other accessibility requests, please contact Disability Resources at 256-782-8380 or by email at disabilityresources@jsu.edu.

 

Directions from Birmingham, AL, to Jacksonville

  • Take I-20 East towards Atlanta
  • Take the Hwy 21 North exit (No. 185) in Anniston/Oxford
  • Turn left onto Hwy 21 North towards Jacksonville
  • Drive 14 miles until you enter the city limits of Jacksonville
  • After you drive around the Jacksonville town square, go to the fifth red light and turn left onto Hwy 204 – Rudy Abbott Highway
  • Proceed one mile on Rudy Abbott Highway
  • Pete Mathews Coliseum is on the left


Directions from Atlanta, GA, to Jacksonville

  • Take I-20 West towards Birmingham
  • Take the Hwy 21 North exit (No. 185) at Anniston/Oxford
  • Turn right onto Hwy 21 North towards Jacksonville
  • Drive 14 miles until you enter the city limits of Jacksonville
  • After you drive around the Jacksonville town square, go to the fifth red light and turn left onto Hwy 204 – Rudy Abbott Highway
  • Proceed one mile on Rudy Abbott Highway
  • Pete Mathews Coliseum is on the left


Directions from Chattanooga, TN, to Jacksonville

  • Take I-59 South towards Birmingham
  • Take the US 431 South Exit (No. 183) at Attalla/Gadsden
  • Turn left onto US 431 South towards Anniston
  • Proceed through Gadsden and stay on US 431 for 18 miles
  • Turn left on Hwy. 204 (Rudy Abbott Highway)
  • Proceed on Hwy. 204 for 12 miles
  • Pete Mathews Coliseum is on the left


Directions from Cullman, AL, to Jacksonville

  • Take US 278 East towards Gadsden
  • Turn right on US 431 South when US 278 dead ends (approximately 50 miles) towards Anniston
  • Proceed through Gadsden and stay on US 431 for 18 miles
  • Turn left on Hwy. 204 (Rudy Abbott Highway)
  • Proceed on Hwy. 204 for 12 miles
  • Pete Mathews Coliseum is on the left


Directions from Huntsville, AL, to Jacksonville

  • Take US 431 South (Governors Lane) out of Huntsville towards Gadsden
  • Proceed through Gadsden and stay on US 431 for 18 miles
  • Turn left on Hwy. 204 (Rudy Abbott Highway)
  • Proceed on Hwy. 204 for 12 miles
  • Pete Mathews Coliseum is on the left