Graduation FAQ

Students who are invited to apply for graduation can access the application online by logging into PAWS. The Apply to Graduate button will appear on the student dashboard for eligible students. Please be prepared to pay the non-refundable graduation fee via credit/debit card for each program that you are applying for.

Eligibility to apply for graduation is based on program completion percentage, earned hours within the program, and institutional grade point average (GPA).  You will be notified by the Registrar’s Office/Office of Graduation Review with an invitation to apply once you become eligible.

While students may complete degree requirements within a specified time period, this may differ depending on the degree program(s) a student is pursuing and their individual schedules in which they complete coursework. Therefore, students must notify us of their intent to graduate.  That way we can work with students and their college to confirm that they are on track toward degree completion.

The non-refundable application fee is $25.00 for Associate degrees and $50.00 for Bachelor's, Graduate, and Law degrees. Students must pay a separate fee for each degree/major earned. The fee covers the cost of preparing, printing and delivering your diploma.

Students apply for graduation online and pay by credit/debit card.

Yes, the non-refundable fee is required at the time you submit the online graduation application.

No. Once your application fee is paid you do not need to re-apply or pay an additional application fee for your degree program.  However, if you expect to graduate in an additional program (i.e. double major), you will need to submit an additional application and pay the corresponding fee.

First, contact your academic advisor to ensure that you have met all eligibility requirements to apply. If there are any issues, you advisor will be able to identify them and can work to make any necessary adjustments.  If you continue to have issues, please contact the Graduation Office by calling 404-413-2248 or emailing graduation@gsu.edu.

Students who applied for graduation and anticipate they will not complete final requirements that term must complete a Graduation Change Form.

It is very important to stay in contact with your academic advisor (for undergraduates in your College's Office of Academic Assistance) to ensure you meet requirements. The Graduation and Commencement Offices only send information out to candidates during the term in which they applied and are eligible. Information from the Graduation and Commencement Offices will be communicated to you during your final term through the Georgia State University student e-mail system and on our websites.

Graduation and Commencement are two separate activities.

Graduation occurs when your degree is officially conferred. It is the date in which the degree(s) are awarded and will appear on official records such as your transcript.  The university’s official conferral date for each semester appears on academic calendar posted on the GSU website. Upcoming conferral dates are:

Commencement is the event that celebrates your graduation. All activities related to Commencement are managed by University Events’ Commencement Office.  Please refer to https://commencement.gsu.edu/ for specific details during the semester in which you expect to graduate.  All information regarding ordering regalia, invitations, photos, and ceremony participation will be sent to you from the Commencement Office.

No. Commencement regalia, graduation announcements, etc. are available from the Georgia State University Bookstore.  Details regarding ordering commencement items are available at https://commencement.gsu.edu or by contacting commencement@gsu.edu.

Degree candidates attending the University-wide ceremonies should contact the Commencement Staff/University Events Office at commencement@gsu.edu or 404-413-2743 for ticket inquiries and guest limits. Doctoral candidates attending the PhD ceremony at the Rialto will be notified after midterm of the semester of graduation the number of tickets available to them and how they will be distributed.

Diplomas are not distributed during the ceremonies. Diplomas are mailed to your diploma or mailing address on record within 6-8 weeks of degree conferral.  Please log into your PAWS account to confirm that the correct diploma or mailing address is on record to ensure proper deliver of your diploma.

Yes. The fee is $20.00. Please complete the Replacement/Duplicate Diploma Request with payment by check or money order, and either mail it to or drop it off at the Office of Graduation and Diploma Services, Citizens Trust Building, 75 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 1150, Atlanta, GA 30303.

You should make a reduced-size copy of your diploma and bring it to the Office of Graduation and Diploma Services. We will also certify the original diploma but most third parties will accept a copy. There is no fee.

Diplomas are mailed to the graduate’s mailing address within 6-8 weeks of degree conferral.

Graduates who require that their diploma be shipped to an international address now have the option to request expedited shipping through UEMS. There is an extra cost for this shipping based on how quickly it needs to be shipped and the country in which it is being mailed.

Currently, the expedited shipping is only available for international shipments.

No, the name printed on the diploma must be your legal name on record here at the University. The only time we will change a name is due to a legal name change — a marriage, for example. Go to the Enrollment Services Center with documents in hand to change your name.

Your legal name on record with the university is the name that will appear on your diploma.

As of Fall 2010, your primary major will be reflected on the diploma for Bachelor’s, Graduate, and Law degree programs. If you have more than one major, you must apply for Graduation and pay the $50 graduation fee for the second major. If you have additional questions regarding this process, please contact the Graduation Office at 404-413-2248 or graduation@gsu.edu.

Contact your Office of Academic Assistance, or, if you are a graduate student, your faculty advisor.

No, only Georgia State coursework counts as honors.

You may visit the Office of Graduation and Diploma Services at 75 Piedmont Avenue in Suite 1150, you may email us at graduation@gsu.edu,  or you may call 404-413-2248.  The Commencement Staff can be reached at 404-413-2743 or by email at or commencement@gsu.edu.