Graduation

A graduation application needs to be submitted one year prior to your expected graduation date. Graduation applications are submitted online by clicking the red "Apply for Graduation Now" button below. An email will be sent to you with feedback on your graduation application within 8-12 weeks of submission.

Important Notes:

• If you are completing a minor or second major, please prepare an electronic copy of the minor form to upload to the graduation application before applying. Only completed applications with appropriate forms will be included on academic record. See forms below for more information.
• Graduation information for each term

*CURRENT GRADUATING SENIORS* Diploma Correction & Other Important Information

Name Changes

How to change your name on your official graduation diploma:

• Go to Buckeyelink to see how your name will be listed on the diploma.
• Go to Personal Information section and click on Diploma Name. Your name will be displayed the way it will appear on your Diploma. Follow the directions to make any changes.
• This link will be available through the 10th week of the term in which you have applied to graduate.
• This is NOT an official name change. The name entered will only be used for printing the diploma and the commencement program. Transcripts and enrollment verification will continue to use your primary name. If you need to update your primary name, please complete a Request for Change of Record Change of Record by the end of the 10th week before commencement.

Specializations, Minors and Second Majors Changes

How to make changes to your specializations, minors, and 2nd majors:

Please note: Specializations and minors appear on your transcript, not your diploma. If receiving two degrees, Dual Degree information is not listed because it is not part of your Business degree.

VERY IMPORTANT: We cannot make changes after graduation so you must verify and then make any needed corrections before Finals week.

• If you see that your specialization and/or minor is not listed or if you are dropping a specialization and/or minor e-mail Terri Hoying at hoying.1@osu.edu .
  • Minor planning forms can be found on this web page under Important Forms.
  • Minors must run complete on the audit at this time. Minors, 2 nd majors and certificates were removed from your record if not running complete. If there is an exceptions to be made, we will need this information from the department of the minor.
  • Also, if your minor requires approval from the department, you will need to e-mail Terri Hoying a form or approval from the department.

  Honors Information

  Latin Honors

  3.5-3.69: Cum Laude
  3.7-3.89: Magna Cum Laude
  3.9-4.00: Summa Cum Laude

  • If you do not see Latin honors on your record even though you have the grade point average, check your number of earned hours at Ohio State.
    • In order to qualify for Latin honors, you will need a minimum of 60 hours of enrollment in courses graded A-E at Ohio State University and an OSU cumulative point hour of 3.5 or higher. Upon completing 60 hours and earning a 3.5 or higher, you are then eligible to wear honors cords. Latin Honors are based on your grades prior to your last semester.

    Fisher Honors Programs

    If you are currently in one of the following honors programs and successfully complete all the requirements necessary to fulfill your honors program, you will be Graduating with Honors and will have that designation on your diploma. Please see a Fisher Honors Advisor to make sure you are on track with your program or if you have any questions about what you need to do to be successful in completing your honors requirements.

    Honors cords will be available to pick up at the front desk in 120 Schoenbaum Hall during the following dates and times for Spring 2024 graduation:

    April 24-28: 9am-4pm

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. When can I expect feedback on my graduation application?
       • A feedback email regarding your graduation application will be sent to you within 8-12 weeks of submission.
    2. Does Fisher have its own ceremony or events related to graduation?
       • Typically, Fisher does not have its own ceremony related to commencement. However, if the ULEO or Development offices have events, activities, or gifts for graduates and their families, information can be found here .
    3. Visit theOSU Commencementwebpage for more information regarding the following subjects:
       • Location, Date, Time: “Ceremony” tab
       • Tickets: Scroll to the bottom of the page
       • Parking: “For family and guests” tab
       • Inclement Weather: “For family and guests” tab > “Read instructions for inclement weather” link
       • Diplomas: “Diplomas” tab
       • Cap, Gown, and Tassel: “For Graduates” tab > “Read about the academic costume” link
    4. How does my family get into the country if they are traveling from somewhere outside the U.S. to attend my commencement ceremony?
       • This process begins with you writing an “invitation letter." Find more information here .
    5. How do I change or confirm the name on my diploma?
       • You may update the name that will appear on your diploma between the time that a graduation application has been received and the 10 th Friday of the term you are graduating . You can edit your name by logging into your My Buckeye Link page, scrolling to the Personal Information header and clicking on the blue Diploma Name link. Any diploma or permanent name change request received after the 10 th Friday of the term you are graduating will not be updated, and a new diploma must be ordered after commencement from the Office of Special Events for $25.
    6. How can I find out my line number for the commencement ceremony?
       • Please refer to the Week 11/Week 12 email sent from Fisher Graduation Services in late March for your specific line number.
    7. What if I'm not planning on attending the commencement ceremony?
       • If you are not attending commencement, fill out commencement excused form and scan/email to Bobbie Kirby

    Still have questions? Please email FCOB-graduation@osu.edu for a response within 24-48 business hours.

    Important Forms

    Minor Planning Form

    If you will be graduating with a minor, use the minor planning form or submit an approved form from the department granting the minor. Some minors require a department signature; see the form for details.

    Submit this form at the same time as your Application for Graduation.

    Commencement Ceremony Excuse Form

    Unable to make it to the official commencement ceremony? Please fill out the following form and scan/email it Bobbie Kirby.

    Early Grade Release Form

    Need to transfer credit to meet degree requirements? All outstanding transfer credit needs to be posted by week 7 of your graduation term. Transfer credit instructions.

    Taking credit at Columbus State Community College your last term? See Early Grade Release instructions.

    Please note: Students may only use the early grade release form if it is their last, graduating term.

    Priority Scheduling: Graduating Seniors

    To receive priority scheduling for Fisher College of Business, applications should be turned in by the fourth Friday of the term. See important deadlines below:

    Term of Graduation	Apply to graduate	Deadline to receive graduation priority scheduling	Last day to apply to graduate
    Autumn 2024	Now	N/A	October 25, 2024
    Spring 2025	Now	September 13, 2024	March 21, 2025
    Summer 2025	Now	September 13, 2024	July 11, 2025
    Autumn 2025	Now	September 13, 2024	October 24, 2025
    Spring 2026	Spring 2025	January 31, 2025	March 28, 2026

    Graduation Timeline

    • Year Prior
    • Final Term

    2-3 semesters before graduation

    Turn in an application for Baccalaureate Degree. This application will be reviewed and you will receive feedback on your academic plan to complete degree requirements.

    Week 1

    Applications will be audited the week before classes start. If there are any problems or issues, you will be notified via email. This allows you to make any scheduling changes the first week of classes.

    Weeks 6-8

    Applications will once again be audited. If there are any remaining problems, you will be notified via your OSU email. Please contact Terri Hoying by e-mail at hoying.1@osu.edu if you believe there is discrepancy or if you are able to fix your problem.

    Week 10

    No new applications will be accepted after the tenth Friday of the term of graduation.

    Week 11

    Your personal information will be available to review; this includes name on the diploma, specializations, minors, 2 nd majors, hometown, and possible honors distinction (final honors decisions are made when all classes are completed and grades turned in). If there is any information that is not correct contact Terri Hoying by e-mail at hoying.1@osu.edu .

    To make any changes to your name go to "Diploma name change" section that can be found on Buckeyelink under the personal information section.

    Week 13

    You will receive graduation instructions and line number this week. Because students receive their own diplomas at graduation, line numbers are assigned to each student in order to receive the correct diploma.

    Week 14

    Fill out an absence from commencement form if you are unable attend the commencement by the 14th Friday. Forms are available online (see section above) or commencement.osu.edu.

    Questions?

    • Terri Hoying, Program Manager of Graduation Services
    • Bobbie Kirby, Commencement Specialist
    • Email: FCOB-graduation@osu.edu
      Phone: (614) 292-2715