Information for Bachelor's Degree Recipients

Commencement Day Details

Congratulations, it’s time to walk!

Where and When

Please arrive at check-in at least 60 minutes prior to your Commencement Ceremony at the breezeway between the Gooding building and Gooding Auditorium. Note: Latin Honor Cords will be distributed at check-in.

Saturday, May 3, 2025

• 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. - Graduate check-in
  9:00 a.m. - Ceremony, Swisher Science Green, the main quad
  Jacksonville University LEGACY graduation celebration
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Davis College of Business and Technology
  • Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts and Humanities

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Saturday, May 3, 2025

• 1:00 p.m. - Ceremony, Swisher Science Green, the main quad
  NROTC Commissioning Ceremony

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Saturday, May 3, 2025

• 2:00 p.m. - Ceremony, Terry Concert Hall
  College of Law Commencement Ceremony

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Sunday, May 4, 2025

• 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. - Graduate check-in
  9:00 a.m. - Ceremony, Swisher Science Green, the main quad
  Jacksonville University HERITAGE graduation celebration
  • Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences

 

Parking

Graduate parking is available in the Oak parking garage by Oak Hall. There will be a shuttle service available. Please note that traffic on Commencement day is particularly congested. Please allow ample time for traveling to campus!

Download a map of available parking for graduates and guests. As a reminder, guests do not need tickets to attend Commencement.

Parking Map

Graduation Checklist

1. APPLY TO GRADUATE
   • Complete the Application for Graduation, located in "self-service" by clicking on the "graduation" tab.
     Not sure if you've applied yet? Check Self-Service. This list is updated on the 15th of each month. Being on the list indicates only that you have applied to graduate, not that you have met your degree requirements.
     
   • Already Applied?  Verify your Name here.
     
     
2. MEET THE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
   • Please check your Degree Audit on Self-Service to make sure all the requirements are showing as registered or completed. If it does not, please stop by or call the Registrar’s Office at (904) 256-7090.
     
     
3. REGISTER TO WALK IN COMMENCEMENT
   
   • Register to walk in your commencement ceremony.
   • If you would like to be listed in the commencement program, you must register to walk at commencement by April 1, 2024.
     
     
4. GEAR UP
   • Order your cap and gown online by March 22. 
   • Regalia will be shipped to the address and sent to the shipping address that you entered when you placed your order at herff.ly/ju
   • Please allow approximately three weeks for announcement delivery. Caps and gowns will be delivered in approximately four weeks from the order date
   • Stop by JAX Outfitters or visit them online to purchase your new alumni gear.
     
     
5. COMPLETE REQUIRED FIRST DESTINATION SURVEY
   • Complete the First Destination Survey, which will be emailed to you. Please contact Career Management with any questions.
     
     
6. REVIEW YOUR FINANCIAL STATUS
   
   • Complete your student loan exit interview within six weeks of your official graduation date. 
   • Have your JU student account paid in full by April 15.

Cap & Gown

Deadline to order: March 22, 2024

Order Online

After the deadline, you must contact the JU Bookstore at (904) 256 -7500 to order your cap and gown.

Cost

The total amount for the cap, gown, tassel and stole is $90.25.  -- Includes Cap, Gown, Tassel, & Stole.  Gown is Rental, Stole is no longer listed on HJ site and will be added to their order by us at the store, so we make sure they are getting the correct one.  

Regalia

Your cap and gown will be black with a green stole and a green and white tassel. The tassel is to be worn on your right-hand side. During the ceremony, you will be instructed to move the tassel to your left-hand side.

Pickup Information

• Regalia will be shipped to the address that you entered when you place your order at herff.ly/ju 
• ** All orders should be placed by March 22 **
• Please allow approximately three weeks for announcement delivery. Caps and gowns will deliver in approximately four weeks from the order date

Gown Return

The cap, stole, and tassel are yours to keep. Regalia can be returned to either bookstore location following your ceremony, or you have the option to ship the gown back in the packaging it arrived in using the prepaid shipping label included in the box.

Latin Honors

Bachelor degree candidates who will complete their degree requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and have earned a minimum of 60 graded (A-F) credits at Jacksonville University will graduate with Latin Honors:

• Cum Laude – 3.50 to 3.69
• Magna Cum Laude – 3.70 to 3.89
• Summa Cum Laude – 3.90 to 4.00

To have Latin Honors recognized during the spring commencement ceremony, students must have graduated  or be on track to complete their Bachelor's degree requirements by the end of the 2024 Spring semester. The cumulative GPA as of April 5, will be used for the Latin Honors listed in the commencement program and recognized at the commencement ceremony.

Latin Honors posted on the diploma and JU transcript is based upon the final GPA when all grading is completed and the degree certified.

Gold Cord for Latin Honors

Graduates with Latin Honors noted in the commencement program are eligible to wear a gold cord at commencement. Latin Honor cords will be distributed at check-in.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be mailed to all graduated students within four-six weeks after graduation date. Majors are printed on the diplomas, but minors are not.

Final Transcripts

Final Transcripts can be ordered anytime, even before you graduate. If you order them before you graduate, and you need them to show your degree, please mark the order to be released only once the degree has been posted.

Graduation Pictures

Congratulations on your achievement! GradImages® is the official photographer for spring commencement.

Grad Fest

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 28, to celebrate together for the last time before commencement. Meet us at 4:30 p.m. at the Dolphin Plaza and Swisher Science Green. Bring your cap, cords and stole for photos, and get ready to celebrate with your friends! At Grad Fest, you can pick up your commemorative champagne flute, gold Phin Alumni swag, philanthropy cord, alumni information, and more!

Financial Aid Exit Interview

Exit counseling is required before you graduate, even if you plan to attend graduate school. The exit interview helps you understand your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower, provides useful tips and information to help you manage your loans, and clearly explains various repayment options. It can be completed online. The financial aid staff is available to answer any questions you might have regarding your loan repayment.

Pay Your JU Account

You will not be able to receive your diploma or official transcript until your student account is paid in full. This includes any charges for parking tickets, room damage, judiciary fines, late payment fees, etc. Please ensure your student account balance is paid no later than April 14.

Senior Gift

​​​​The tradition of the senior class gift at JU swells from a culture of service and giving back that has become ingrained in our Dolphin DNA. The class gift gives soon-to-be alumni a chance to unite one last time as students to give back to the University that gave them so much, and to leave their mark on campus to represent their class for future generations. Contribute to the Senior Class Gift today.

Text Alerts

Your parents and family members can sign up for text alerts for time-sensitive information throughout commencement weekend. All they need to do is text JU to 237233. They'll get a confirmation message from our partners at AppArmor. (If your own number is up-to-date in Web Advisor, you are already subscribed to text alerts. This is an easy way for your guests to sign up for critical updates, too.)