Get Prepared for Commencement

Applying for graduation

***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 dates

Graduation applications for the Fall 2020 term are due by Monday, September 21, 2020. A late application fee will apply after this date. 

Undergraduate student fee:

There is a $65 fee due with your application, and $25 for each additional degree awarded in the same trimester.

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 September 22 through October 5 will be assessed a $100.00 late fee. Applications WILL NOT be accepted after October 5, 2020.

Outstanding balances: All outstanding balances must be paid in full by November 23, 2020 in order to pick up your regalia and participate in the Commencement ceremony. However, all payments by check must be submitted no later than November 13, 2020.

Franklin 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:

You will receive an email from your academic advisor confirming the status of completion toward your degree requirements.

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 Self Service 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 25, 2021. 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 26 through February 8 will be assessed a $100.00 late fee. Applications will NOT be accepted after February 8.

Outstanding balances: All outstanding balances must be paid in full by April 2. 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 29. 

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.

Fall 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 December 11, 2020 in order to receive your diploma at the ceremony. All current courses must be completed by December 19, 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 December 2, 2020.

Spring 2021 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 April 30, 2021 in order to receive your diploma at the ceremony. All current courses must be completed by May 8, 2021 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 2, 2021. Failure to pass a proficiency exam will result in delayed graduation.

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.

Fall 2020 (January 29, 2021) Graduates:  For those graduates who indicated on their graduation application that they planned to attend in person, regalia will be mailed to them in early January.

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 December 4, 2020.

Spring 2021 (Date TBD) Graduates:  Regalia will be available in April. Please check back for exact details.

Fall 2020 Commencement:  Since the ceremony will be virtual, the following instructions do not apply. Graduates will be mailed their diplomas in early January. More details will be provided via email in the coming months.

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 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. 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

Forty-five minutes prior to the ceremony, you will take your place in line for the processional. Five minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, 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 the start time.

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

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.

The procession will enter the hall at the start time of the ceremony. 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).