Get Prepared for Commencement

Applying for graduation

Every Franklin student must complete a graduation application to receive a diploma, even if you do not plan to participate in the commencement ceremony. The graduation application can be found through the myTools link in your my.franklin.edu account. **Please note that if you fail to graduate in the trimester for which you apply, you must complete a new application for any subsequent trimester, including required fees.**

***If you are planning a move in the trimester of your graduation, please contact the Registrar's Office directly to confirm your mailing address.***

Due date

Graduation applications for the Spring term are due by January 27, 2020. A late application fee will apply after this date.

Undergraduate student fee:

There is a $65 fee due with your application.

Graduate student fee:

There is a $85 fee due with your application.

Doctorate student fee:

There is a $150 fee due with your application.

Late fees

Applications received from January 28 through February 10 will be assessed a $100.00 late fee. Applications will NOT be accepted after February 10.

Outstanding balances: All outstanding balances must be paid in full by April 3. In order to pick up your regalia and participate in the graduation ceremony, all outstanding balances must be paid. All payments by check must be submitted no later than March 30. 

• Franklin University will not issue diplomas or transcripts to students with unpaid balances.

Students with Deferred Tuition

If you are on the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan, any outstanding tuition balance is due in advance of the normal deferred payment date. There is no extension allowed as in other trimesters.

Preliminary Degree Audit

Upon review of your graduation application, you will receive an email from your academic advisor confirming the status of completion of your degree requirements.

Spring 2020 Commencement

If you have earned credit from another college or university but have not yet submitted an official transcript, it must be received no later than May 1, 2020 in order to receive your diploma at the ceremony. All current courses must be completed by May 9, 2020 to maintain eligibility to graduate this term. Please have transcripts sent directly to Franklin University, 201 S. Grant Ave., Columbus OH 43215-5399.

If you need to complete FUPE or CLEP testing, the last day you may do so and still be able to graduate this term is April 17, 2020.

For information on purchasing an official Franklin University signet ring, personalized graduation announcements engraved with your name, degree, and major, and other graduation mementos, please visit Jostens or call: 1.800.854.7464. Normal delivery time is approximately two weeks.

If you indicated on your graduation application that you will be attending the Spring 2020 Commencement (May 15, 2020), your cap and gown will be available in April 2020. Please check back later for an exact date. You can pick up your regalia* at the Welcome Center in the lobby area of the Student Services Center, located at the corner of Rich Street and Grant Avenue. The Welcome Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The last day for pick up will be Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 5 p.m. All unclaimed caps and gowns will be available for pick up at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on the day of the ceremony. You will need to present a photo ID and all outstanding balances must be paid in full in order to pick up your cap and gown. 

*Please join us in the lobby of the Student Services Center for GradFest (exact date TBD). Pick up your cap and gown, order graduation announcements or class rings, and visit with administrative representatives who will be available to answer questions and provide any additional Commencement details as necessary.*

Please note:

• If you are graduating through Franklin University's Community College Alliance (CCA) Program, GoArmyEd Program, or any online degree program and plan to attend commencement, you may request to have your cap and gown mailed to you. Please e-mail the Registrar's Office to make arrangements before April 24, 2020.
• Master's degree hoods will be presented during the commencement ceremony.
• Caps and gowns are yours to keep.
• Any unclaimed gowns will not be available after the Commencement ceremony.

Spring 2020 Commencement

There will be no rehearsal for the commencement ceremony.

When to arrive

Graduates attending the Commencement should plan to arrive at The Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio no later than 5:45 p.m. The Commencement Ceremony will be held in the Battelle Grand hall. Additional information from the Columbus Convention Center is listed here.

Registration

Upon arrival, please proceed to the Mezzanine to register and retrieve your information card, which will include your procession number.

Processional line

At 6:15 p.m., you will take your place in line for the processional. At 6:55 p.m. you will proceed downstairs in one of two single-file lines. 

Please note: Tassels are to remain on the right side of your cap.

Commencement start

Commencement will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Convention Center.

Latin honors awarded for Undergraduate academic achievement will be determined after all final grades are processed for the term. Qualified graduates will receive honor cords at Commencement. All undergraduate students must meet the residency requirement and are awarded Latin honors based on the following grade point average (GPA):

• Summa Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher
• Magna Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.70-3.89
• Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.69

For the Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony, at 6:55 pm, graduates will enter the Commencement ceremony in two single-file lines, according to assigned procession numbers. Please stay in line and follow the person in front of you. Failure to do so can result in your receiving someone else's diploma.

At 7:00 pm, the procession will enter the hall. Floor Marshals will direct you to the proper row. Graduates will remain standing until those on stage are seated. During the ceremony, please take your cue from the speaker on stage and the Floor Marshals as to when you should stand or be seated.

Secure personal items:

Franklin University does not guarantee the security of any personal items left unattended during commencement. Please either take personal items (purses, cellular phones, pagers, etc.) with you or leave them with a family member or guest.

All cellular phones and pagers must be turned off during the ceremony.

Announcement of degrees

Clarke Price, Chairman of the Franklin University Board of Trustees, will announce the awarding of degrees. With caps on, graduates will rise together and remain standing. During the ceremony, graduates will be given directions on when to move tassels.

Bestowing of degrees

Dr. David Decker, University President, will verbally bestow the appropriate degrees and then ask graduates to be seated. The Floor Marshals will guide individual rows of graduates to the stage, one row at a time. You will stand along the side of the stage to avoid blocking the view of guests.

On the stage

When you reach the stage, give your information card (which you received at the time of registration) to the attendant. When your name is called, walk across the stage. Master's degree hoods will be presented at this time. Each graduate will shake hands with Dr. Decker, receive your diploma from the faculty, then return to the appropriate row and be seated.

Please remain seated until all graduates have received their diplomas. This demonstrates support for your fellow graduates and helps avoid disruption. You will then rise for the benediction and remain standing for the recessional.

Please note

Academic majors will not be listed on the diplomas. Academic transcripts are the official record of programs of study.

When the recessional music begins, exit the ceremony, following those on stage. Floor Marshals will assist you in exiting one row at a time. You will exit in the same order you entered (i.e., first in, last out). Please exit via the same aisle by which you entered the ceremony.

Guests may take photographs from their seats during the graduation ceremony. USA FOTO, Inc. will photograph you as you shake hands with Franklin University President Dr. David Decker. Details and information regarding purchase will be emailed to your email.franklin.edu account following the ceremony.

Summer 2019 Graduates:  Photograph proofs are available by clicking here.

Fall 2019 Graduates:  Photograph proofs are available by clicking here.

Convenient area hotels include: 

• Crowne Plaza Columbus - Downtown
• Drury Inn & Suites Convention Center
• Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus - Downtown
• Hilton Columbus Downtown
• Hyatt Regency Columbus
• Red Roof Plus+ Columbus Downtown

Additional options may be found on many travel websites using zip code 43215.

Directions to the Greater Columbus Convention Center:

From the East (Wheeling)

• Take I-70 West to the Fourth St. exit 
• Travel North on Fourth St. to Nationwide Blvd.
• Turn left onto Nationwide Blvd. 

From the North (Cleveland)

• Take I-71 South to I-670 West, exit 109A
• From I-670 West, take exit 4B on the left for High St./Third St. 
• Keep left at the fork and follow signs for High St./Convention Center

From the South (Cincinnati)

• Take I-71 North to I-70 East
• Travel on I-70 East to the Fourth St. exit 
• Continue North on Fourth St. to Nationwide Blvd. 
• Turn left onto Nationwide Blvd. 

From the West (Indianapolis)

• Take I-70 East to the Fourth St. exit
• Travel North on Fourth St. to Nationwide Blvd. 
• Turn left onto Nationwide Blvd. 

From Port Columbus International Airport

• Take I-670 West
• Take exit 4B to the Convention Center

There is no limit to the number of guests you may invite to commencement! We encourage you to invite your family and friends to share in this important occasion. All seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and no tickets are necessary. Guests are not permitted to walk across the stage with the graduate.

Please inform your guests that all cellular phones and pagers must be turned off during the ceremony.

Parking information can be found on the Greater Columbus Convention Center's website.

If you are a mobility-impaired, hearing-impaired or visually-impaired graduate, call 614.947.6727 or toll free 1.877.341.6300, or email the Registrar's Office by May 1, 2020 for the Spring 2020 ceremony to make arrangements for access to the stage or to address other needs.

Interpreting services will be provided for hearing-impaired guests. Guests needing mobility-impaired access may use the elevator or escalators.

Diploma

If you do not plan to attend Commencement, graduates can expect to receive their diploma by mail approximately two weeks after the ceremony. Please note: If you have moved in the trimester of your graduation, please contact the Registrar's Office directly to confirm your mailing address.

Latin Honors

If you have earned Latin honors and would like an honor cord mailed to you, please contact the Registrar's Office at 1.877.341.6300. (Please note: Latin honors are awarded to Undergraduate students only.)

For more information, please contact the Registrar's Office at 1.877.341.6300 (toll free).