Graduation

The Mississippi State University Starkville Campus holds commencement ceremonies at the end of the fall and spring semesters (December and May respectively). The university graduates students in August, but no ceremony is held; students may elect to participate in the following December commencement. Students who graduate from BCoE-Learning programs are encouraged to participate in commencement.

Students who plan to graduate in May, August, or December must apply for graduation by the dates published in the MSU Academic Calendar.

**NOTE: Students should refer to the Academic Calendar for graduation application deadlines and ceremony dates.  Also, note application deadlines when applying; the fee to apply increases exponentially the later in the semester in which you apply.  Late application will prohibit your name being included in the Commencement Program.

To apply for graduation online, access myState/myBanner for Students/Academic Records/Apply for A Degree and complete the required information.  If a student fails to graduate in the term for which he/she has applied, he/she must reapply during the term when all requirements for the degree have been met. Degree applicants must also pay their MSU account balances in full prior to the graduation ceremony.

Students reserve regalia through Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Orders must be received over the phone at 662.325.8361. For current information regarding Barnes and Nobles hours visit their website at http://msstate.bncollege.com.

Thesis/Dissertation Approval Process—M.S. Thesis Option and Ph.D.

Degree candidates normally defend their theses/dissertation in their terminal semester.

The Office of Thesis and Dissertation Format Review provides assistance with formatting theses and dissertations.  Take advantage of this service, contact that office and be proactive in ensuring that your document is formatted correctly early in the process.

Apply to graduate online as noted above for your target semester.

Make plans to participate in commencement and order regalia (noted above).  It is recommended that PhD graduates purchase their hoods for future use.

Be cognizant of and meet thesis/dissertation defense deadlines.

Verify that your name in Banner matches your name on your thesis/dissertation.  If Banner is incorrect, contact the Registrar office via email; documentation must be provided in order to make a change of name.

If you are an MSU employee, the change must be made through Human Resources Management.

Verify that the names, rank, and departments of your committee members on your signature page match the list of Graduate Faculty.  If there is a discrepancy or the committee member is not on the list, check with the department head of your program.

Secure the signatures of your full committee, as well as your Graduate Coordinator, prior to submitting your document to the Dean for signature approval.

Complete the Graduate Exit Survey.  Information concerning this process is provided below.

In order to secure the signature of the academic dean, three documents are required:

  1. Graduate Exit Survey
  2. Copy of Abstract
  3. Original Thesis/Dissertation Signature Approval Page
    (NOTE:  ALL SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED PRIOR TO THE SIGNATURE OF THE ACADEMIC DEAN).

These three documents must be hand delivered to Erma Murry (662.325.9156) in room 250 McCain.  Provide your email address; Ms. Stafford will contact you via email regarding pickup of the signed Signature Approval Page.  Please make arrangements with your academic adviser for the pickup or hand delivery of your documents.

Be cognizant of submission deadlines for thesis/dissertation to the Library.  Allow ample time to make required revisions.  Dates are available on the Graduate School academic calendar.

Non-Thesis M.S.

A comprehensive examination is required for all students who pursue a non-thesis option.  Your academic program determines the format of your required examination.  It may be written or oral or a combination of both.  A student must be within 6 hours of completing all required coursework or in the terminal semester in order to be eligible to take the comprehensive examination.  Normally, students take this examination in the terminal semester.

Apply to graduate online as noted above for your target semester.

Verify that your name in Banner matches your name on your thesis/dissertation.  If Banner is incorrect, contact the Registrar office via email; documentation must be provided in order to make a change of name.

If you are an MSU employee, the change must be made through the Human Resources Management.

Be cognizant of all deadlines.  Dates are available on the Graduate School academic calendar.

Bagley College of Engineering Graduation Events

Each semester the Bagley College of Engineering hosts a luncheon for doctoral graduates to acknowledge the accomplishments of those students.  Major professors of Ph.D. graduates are included, and each student may invite one guest.  Normally, the luncheon is held on the day of graduation or on the Friday prior to graduation if commencement is held on Saturday.

On the day of commencement, the Bagley College of Engineering hosts a reception for all graduates and their families.  Faculty and staff from the college participate as well.

Graduate Exit Survey

As a part of the graduation process, all engineering graduate students must complete a Bagley College of Engineering Graduate Exit Survey.

Non-thesis Master’s Students

Non-thesis master’s students must complete this survey upon satisfactory completion of the comprehensive examination.  The survey must be completed in its entirety and accurately reflect your matriculation as a graduate engineering student.  As a part of the graduation audit process, the graduate coordinator of the respective program will not submit graduation paperwork to the Office of the Graduate School until this survey is completed.  Failure to submit this survey in a timely manner may result in late submission of graduation paperwork and could result in delayed graduation.

Master’s Thesis and Doctor of Philosophy Students

Master’s thesis and Doctor of Philosophy students must complete this survey prior to requesting signature of the academic dean on the signature approval page of the thesis or dissertation.   The survey must be completed in its entirety and accurately reflect your matriculation as a graduate engineering student.  PLEASE PRINT AND RETAIN A COPY OF THE SURVEY UPON COMPLETION—this document must be presented to the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in order to secure signature on the thesis/dissertation signature approval page.