Before the big day, make sure you complete the following tasks.

• Update your diploma name and address, if necessary, within the graduation application. Changes to your last name require a formal request and documentation.
• Graduates who have restricted release of their directory information can choose within the graduation application whether to be included in the Commencement program.
• Pay off any outstanding balance in myZou, including the graduation fee. Transcripts and diplomas will not be released until your balance is paid in full.
• Take the Outcomes Survey. The survey can be accessed 4-6 weeks prior to graduation.
• Doctoral students must successfully defend their dissertation in order to participate in commencement.
• Resolve outstanding course repeats.
  • Repeated courses must be completed by the end of your final term to ensure they are processed before your degree is awarded.  
  • The course repeat policy will not be applied automatically your GPA. After completing the second attempt of a course, submit a request for GPA adjustment.
• Successfully complete all courses or coursework.
  • Take the Missouri Civics exam, if not already completed.
  • Self-paced Mizzou Online courses must be completed by the end of your final term to ensure that the grades are posted by the deadline to be added to the graduation list.
  • Incomplete grade contract requirements for successful completion must be  fulfilled within the timeline agreed to in the contract.
• Ensure transfer credits transferred to your academic record at Mizzou by requesting a Transfer Credit Report in myZou.

To receive Latin Honors, you must have completed 30 hours at MU and have a cumulative UM System GPA of the following (we do not round up): 

• 3.6 – 3.79    Cum Laude
• 3.8 – 3.89    Magna Cum Laude
• 3.9 – 4.0    Summa Cum Laude 

Departmental Honors requirements are determined by each department. Check with your advisor concerning questions. 

Graduates earning Latin or Departmental honors may purchase an honors cord at the Mizzou Store. 

Grades are posted the week after the end of the term. We will verify that all degree requirements are complete at that time. Once reviewed, you should receive an email verifying your degree status. 

As degrees are verified, they will be posted on myZou and transcripts will be available. 

Diplomas will be mailed to the diploma address you entered on your application to graduate approximately 10 weeks after all degree requirements are completed and degree verified. 

Learn how to have your diploma mailed to an international address. 

Watch your Mizzou email inbox. Graduating seniors will receive important commencement details via email throughout the semester. Graduates are notified of their check-in time and location approximately one month before the ceremony. 

Here's what to know now: 

Check in and entrance to the ceremony

• Graduates can arrive as early as 1.5 hours before the ceremony but no later than 30 minutes before the start time. Watch for signs with directions.
  • December commencement ceremony: graduates will enter Hearnes Center and check in at the arena level. This area is ADA accessible.
  • May commencement ceremony: graduates will enter through the Mizzou Arena south entrance and check in at the arena level.
• When you check in you will receive a reader card. Staff will help you find your seat and provide plenty of help during the ceremony when it is time to be recognized and receive the diploma cover.
• The facility has a clear bag policy. We strongly recommend that you not bring in a purse or bag as there is not a secure place to leave your belongings.
• No food or drink are permitted in the facility.

During and after the ceremony

• Graduates are expected to stay for the entire ceremony.
• The ceremony will last approximately an hour and a half.
• Graduates are expected to respect the dignity of the ceremony by dressing appropriately, arriving on time, and refraining from disruptive behavior. After receiving their diploma cover, graduates should directly return to their chairs out of respect to Mizzou dignitaries and their peers.
• At the end of the ceremony, event staff will direct graduates to the exit.

Guest accommodations

• Guest seating will be available starting at an hour before the ceremony. Your family and friends do not need tickets to attend the ceremony; however, seating for guests is first come, first served.
• Accessible seating is located throughout the arena. Staff can assist guests with finding accessible seating.

Parking

• If guests have an accessible parking tag, they will be directed to a designated parking area.
• December commencement ceremony: both sides of the Hearnes Center are wheelchair accessible, but the east side has most parking available.
• May commencement ceremony: the north side of Mizzou Arena at the pullout on Champions Drive is wheelchair accessible and most convenient for persons with disabilities to be dropped off and picked up. There are ADA designated parking spaces located in the parking lots. All of Lot I directly north of Mizzou Arena is reserved for ADA parking during the event.
• Additional information about accessibility can be found on Mizzou's Graduation & Commencement accessibility webpage.

Livestreaming

The ceremony will be livestreamed so that friends and family who can't attend the ceremony can still cheer for you. The livestream link will be available on Mizzou's commencement webpage the week of commencement.

Graduation regalia

• Graduates are not permitted to participate in the ceremony without a cap and gown. Graduation regalia can be purchased at the Mizzou Store.
• If you prefer not to purchase regalia, Truman's Closet offers free rentals. You can arrange a rental by visiting https://tigerpantry.missouri.edu/trumans-closet.
• Graduates eligible for Latin or departmental honors receive a special Honors Medallion from the University of Missouri. They can pick up the medallion and A&S honors cord at the Mizzou Store. They need to bring a photo ID with them.
• Additionally, special stoles are available for first-generation students and those with multiple Tigers in their family.