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Instructions for Degree Candidates (Students)

Students marching in procession

 

For the most accurate and timely information and instructions about Commencement activities, visit this website often.

View school sites for more details


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Looking for information about parking/shuttles, disability seating for guests, hotel information, or other guest information?  See the "Planning Your Visit" section.

Requirements for Graduation

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To be considered a prospective graduate, all requirements for graduation must be met. Students who are unsure whether they have fulfilled all requirements for graduation should contact the academic dean in their school as soon as possible.

Degree Applications

In order for a degree to be granted, degree candidates must follow appropriate procedures as stipulated by the school in which they are enrolled. Filing a degree application by the due date, during the semester in which the student anticipates graduation, is one of the requirements. Students should contact the degree coordinator in each school for information.

Registrar's Office

The Registrar's Office web site contains information about filing for degrees, verifying personal information, final examination schedules, privacy rights (F.E.R.P.A.), and transcripts. Visit the site for answers to frequently asked questions.

If you have requested that information about your identity or status be suppressed (F.E.R.P.A.), you will not be listed in the Commencement program and your graduation cannot be verified. Contact the Registrar's Office to rescind your request and to allow information to be released.

Regalia (Cap and Gown)

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Graduates in regalia

Students can purchase their regalia - their gown, cap, tassel and hood - from Barnes & Noble @ Emory University.  Below you will find 2013 prices for the regalia graduates will wear at Emory’s commencement ceremonies.

Degree candidates should not wait until the last moment before purchasing to ensure that they receive the correct size gown and color of hood. School of Law degree candidates must contact their school commencement coordinator for information about Law School regalia.  Laney Graduate School degree candidates should contact their school concerning regalia needs.

Students who are off-campus during the spring semester can contact the Bookstore by phone at (404)727-6222 or email SM757@bncollege.com. The best time to purchase student regalia is during Grad Fair (see below). All purchases must be made by March 15, 2013.  All Emory student regalia is custom-made and the vendor requires 8 weeks to produce the regalia.  The Bookstore does carry and continue to sell student regalia up until graduation, though students should not wait to purchase their attire.  Sizes will become limited and even unavailable as Commencement approaches if not ordered in time.

Honor Cords are obtained through the specific school or organization that is bestowing the honors.  Honor Cords are not available in the Bookstore.

At Emory, all graduates wear gowns, hoods, and caps.  All gowns are black except Emory’s custom PhD robes which are Emory blue and gold.  All hoods and professional or PhD robes feature the color of the discipline traditionally designated for the degree the student earned.  Students who earn dual degrees should wear the discipline color for the ceremony in which they will participate. When students purchase regalia, they should be sure of and specify exactly which degree they are earning. For a Bachelor degree this means whether their discipline is a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

Colors traditionally designated for earned degrees are:

Arts
(white)		 Business
(drab)		 Medicine
(green)
Music
(pink)		 Nursing
(apricot)		 Science
(gold)
Public Health
(salmon)		 Theology
(red)		 PhD
(dark blue)
Law
(purple)
 


2013 Pricing for entire outfit (standard quality*):

* The above regalia are standard quality versions designed for use at Commencement.  Those who will attend academic ceremonies often may be interested in purchasing fine quality regalia for continued use throughout their career. Please note: Fine Quality Regalia is custom and takes 6-8 weeks.  For masters graduates, speak to a staff member at Grad Fair for "fine quality" regalia pricing details.  For PhD candidates, the fine quality pricing is listed below.

2013 Pricing for entire outfit (fine quality):
For those who expect to participate in academic ceremonies in the future.  Graduates who purchase regalia for use as part of their careers should review tax provisions for applicable business expense deductions. 

Regalia Items Available Separately for Purchase:

Need further information or assistance: Contact Barnes & Noble @ Emory University at SM757@bncollege.com.

Other items you may wish to purchase

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Announcements

The official Emory Commencement announcement is available only from Jostens. 

Students or parents can order personalized Commencement announcements printed with the student's name, degree, and academic major and embossed with the University seal.  A representative for Emory personalized graduation announcements is on hand during Grad Fair (see below).  You may continue to purchase announcements at the Emory University Bookstore after Grad Fair.

Class Rings

Students may visit the Emory Bookstore to see a display of Emory Class Rings. Rings can be ordered at Grad Fair on February 27-28, 2013 or on the web, at Herff Jones. Delivery of rings ordered after March 1 is not guaranteed in time for the Senior Ring Ceremony on April 22 at Miller Ward Alumni House.

Diploma Frames

The Bookstore carries Framing Success diploma frames in several different styles year round.  Framing Success frames are custom sized to fit your Emory diploma.  Framing Success uses museum quality preservation mat board to protect your diploma from damaging pollutants and harmful contaminants.  Framing Success also uses eco-friendly, certified wood from well-managed forests.

Grad Fair 2013

Grad Fair 2013 takes place on Wednesday, February 27 and Thursday, February 28 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., at the Barnes & Noble @ Emory University located at 1390 Oxford Road.  During Grad Fair students are able to purchase their regalia and diploma frames. Representatives are on-hand to assist with ordering class rings and custom graduation announcements. 

Photography

All diploma ceremonies utilize contract photographers who will provide proofs (hard copy or digital) for purchase of each student receiving his or her diploma. Contact your school for more information. Formal portraits in cap and gown are taken on May 12 and 13 from 10:00 until 2:00 in the bookstore.  See flyer for details.

Ceremony Instructions

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Baccalaureate Service

Baccalaureate Service

Sunday, May 12, 2013
9:00 am (line up at 8:30)

The Baccalaureate tradition is an integral part of commencement exercises, marking the end of the student's undergraduate years just as opening Convocation marked the beginning. Emory's Baccalaureate (see Event Schedule) is an inter-religious service with prayers and readings from various religious traditions and a time for reflection. Baccalaureate is for all students receiving bachelor's degrees (BA, BS, BSN, BBA, and BMSc) and their guests.

Graduates, in caps and gowns, assemble on the south side of the Quadrangle near the Administration Building at 8:30 am.  Marshals direct the formation and a bagpiper leads the procession. In case of rain, graduates go directly to Fellowship Hall of the Church School Building, behind Glenn Auditorium. The service lasts no more than one hour.

Main ceremony

Commencement Ceremony

Monday, May 13, 2013
8:00 am (line up no later than 7:15)

Attendance at the commencement ceremony on the Quadrangle is required unless your academic dean has sent special permission to the registrar in advance for your diploma to be awarded in absentia. In this case, the diploma will be mailed later to the address furnished by you to your dean.

There is no rehearsal for the commencement ceremony on the Quadrangle.

Graduates assemble in cap and gown no later than 7:15 am, Monday, May 13, at locations designated by each school.  Return to this website in late April (or subscribe to our Twitter alerts for advance notice) for a map of line-up locations. Graduates should be prompt in order to give the marshals time to arrange the lines accordingly. The procession begins at 8:00 a.m. sharp. The Quadrangle ceremony lasts approximately one hour and thirty minutes.

Diploma ceremony

Diploma Ceremonies

Diploma ceremonies are held following the University ceremony. Marshals of the various schools direct the exit of their graduates from the Quadrangle to the places indicated on the Event Schedule.

Logistics Overview

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Inclement Weather

See the Inclement Weather Schedule for important information about the two possible alternate schedules in the event of heavy rain or more severe weather. 

Tickets to Commencement Ceremonies

Tickets are not required for admission to the Commencement Ceremony on the Quadrangle or the diploma ceremonies under regular weather conditions (which includes light rain) with the exception of the School of Medicine and Academic Health programs. Some school diploma ceremonies may require and may limit tickets in the event of inclement weather. Those schools distribute rain tickets to their students accordingly.

Graduates and Guests with Disabilities

The Commencement experience involves events both inside and outside, on grass and pavement, in temporary/permanent event venues across campus. Emory is committed to removing barriers, whenever possible, so that all graduates and guests can enjoy the Commencement exercises.

The 2013 Disability Access and Seating Service Request Form is now available (click here for details and link).  If you have people in your party who are unable to walk long distances, who use wheelchairs, or who have other special needs, you may complete the Special Needs Request form. This form must be completed by May 1.  See the Planning your Visit section for more details. Please inform your guests that the campus terrain may challenge those with mobility concerns.

We work with the Office of Disability Services to identify students who need assistance at Commencement. Even if you are registered with their office, we ask you to fill out the form yourself so that we can ensure that proper arrangements are made.

Local vendors for wheelchair rentals are listed on this site. Emory does not provide wheelchairs.

Parking & Shuttles Overview

Free parking is available on Commencement day in parking decks around campus.  Students and guests are encouraged to arrive early. 

All visitors are encouraged to use the Cliff shuttle service on campus Commencement morning. Shuttles serve all parking decks except the Fishburne Deck and serve all on-campus events. All shuttle vehicles are equipped for easy accessibility and for transporting guests using wheelchairs.  A special Commencement-Day shuttle map will be posted on this website as Commencement nears.

Walking to Commencement sites on Emory's campus may require walking up and down hill or walking for some distance. Guests should consider their needs when planning whether or not to attend and when planning transportation.

More specific information about these topics is available in the Planning your Visit section.

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School-specific tips and informationMaps, directions, and info
Stay in a dorm at CommencementAn alternative to hotels
What happens if it rains on Commencement Day?Before you book travel
Get the latest news, updates, and tips sent directly to youFollow us on Twitter
Learn about the many Alumni Association events for newest alumniClass of 2013 Events