Commencement FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding commencement and graduation.

Q. Where do I get my cap and gown? 

Graduates will wear the traditional cap and gown. For purchasing information, contact the Stark Campus bookstore at 330-244-5112 or the Kent Campus bookstore at 330-672-2762. Caps and gowns (black robe and cap) can also be purchased from an outside vendor. Tassels are being sold separately at the bookstores.

Q. If I am graduating with Honors where will I get my Honors Cords?

You will be notified via email if you are to receive honor cords. This email will contain honor cords pick up information including the date and location.

Criteria for Institutional Honors

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees who demonstrate high levels of scholarship throughout their undergraduate years will graduate with Latin honors. To graduate with this recognition at Kent State University, students must achieve one of the following criteria:

  • Earn a minimum 60 credit hours at Kent State and earn a minimum 3.500 Kent State GPA; or
  • Earn at least 30 but fewer than 60 credit hours at Kent State and earn a minimum 3.500 Kent State GPA and earn a minimum 3.500 transfer GPA

There are three levels of Latin honors at graduation with a bachelor’s degree:

  • cum laude — Student has earned a Kent State GPA of 3.500 to 3.699.
  • magna cum laude — Student has earned a Kent State GPA of 3.700 to 3.899.
  • summa cum laude  — Student has earned a Kent State GPA of 3.900 to 4.000.

The Kent State GPA for determining Latin honors is calculated from all grades earned in undergraduate courses at Kent State University, including original grades forgiven and/or recalculated under other policies. The transfer GPA is calculated from all grades earned in undergraduate transfer courses that were awarded college credit by Kent State and completed prior to the student’s most recent admission to Kent State. The GPA for both is extended to three decimal places and not rounded up.

Because grades in courses taken in the student’s final term are not official until after commencement, Latin honors candidates will be recognized at the commencement ceremony based on all their Kent State academic work completed prior to those courses. However, the final term grades will be used in determining honors posted to the transcript and the diploma. Honor citations are inscribed on diplomas as follows: cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude.

For requirements, see the Honors at Graduation policy in the Kent State University Catalog. (From within the University Catalog navigate to Academic Policies > Honors at Graduation.)

Graduation with Distinction—Associate Degrees

Candidates for associate degrees who demonstrate high levels of scholarship throughout their coursework will graduate “with distinction.” To graduate with this recognition, students must achieve the following criteria:

  • Earn a minimum 30 credit hours at Kent State University, and
  • Earn a minimum 3.500 Kent State University GPA

A Kent State GPA is calculated from all grades earned in undergraduate courses at Kent State University, including original grades forgiven and/or recalculated under other policies. The GPA used to determine the “with distinction” designation is extended to three decimal places and not rounded up.

Because grades in courses taken in the student’s graduation term are not official until after commencement, distinction candidates will be recognized at the commencement ceremony based on all their Kent State academic work completed prior to those courses. However, the final term grades will be used in determining the “graduated with distinction” recognition posted to the transcript and the diploma.

For requirements, see the Honors at Graduation policy in the Kent State University Catalog. (From within the University Catalog navigate to Academic Policies > Honors at Graduation.)

Q. How many guests can I bring and where will I get my guest tickets?

Pick up your guests' tickets! Ticket number and pickup information will be determined after the RSVP date.

Q. Am I required to do Loan Exit Counseling?

If you took advantage of Federal Direct Loan program, a final requirement of having received your loan is to complete Exit Counseling.  During Exit Counseling you will learn more important information about repaying your loans, consolidation, etc.

  • You will need your FSA ID (the same one that you used to process the FAFSA and Master Promissory Note).
  • Complete Exit Loan Counseling
  • Kent State will get the results electronically.
  •  If you have questions regarding the information in the exit counseling contact:

Q. When will I receive my diploma?

Your digital diploma will arrive approximately 4-5 weeks after commencement.

The Office of the University Registrar has partnered with Parchment Inc. to improve the diploma fulfillment process for graduates of Kent State University. Your digital diploma will arrive approximately 4-5 weeks after commencement. Watch for an email notification.

  • Notification will be sent to your Kent State email.
  • Follow the link to set up your Parchment Digital credentials account.
  • Share and download your digital diploma as many times as you like.
  • Paper diplomas will be mailed separately to your permanent address on file 7-10 days after you receive your digital diploma.

Q. How will my name appear on my diploma?

Your name will appear exactly as it does on your official university record. Check with the Records office staff in the Student Services Office if you have any concerns about how your name will appear.

Q. How many graduation ceremonies are held each year?

Kent State University Columbiana County Campuses hold one commencement ceremony each year in May. All Columbiana County Campus graduates will be allowed to participate and will be recognized along with the spring graduates.

The Kent Campus holds several ceremonies in December, May and August.

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