Master's Degree Candidates

Jump to Commencement Ceremony Information

Commencement Ceremony Participation

There is a graduation fee of $100.00 which is required to be paid at the start of the student’s final semester of enrollment (which includes the semester the comprehensive, if applicable, is taken).

There are four graduation dates per year during which diplomas are issued:

August 31st, December 31st, January 31st, and May 2x. Commencement exercises are held in May. Applications for comprehensive examinations (if required in the program) and for Commencement are due during the semester preceding the semester in which the student intends to graduate.

The dates for application to graduate are as follows:
April 15th                  August graduation
August 15th           December graduation
October 15th          January graduation
January 15th          May graduation

Participation in the Commencement ceremony does not constitute conferral of the degree. Similarly, inclusion of a student’s name on such publications as the Commencement program does not confirm eligibility for the degree.

In order to participate in Commencement, graduate students must have completed all degree requirements.

Beginning with the Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony, appeals of this requirement with regard to participation in Commencement ceremony may be made to the Graduate Education Council (GEC). Appeals to the Council must be submitted, in writing, no later than thirty (30) days prior to the Commencement ceremony.

Please fill out the Graduate Candidacy for Graduation/Comprehensive Exam Form and return it to the Office of Graduate Studies via email to Ms. Kimberly Hardy at khardy@framingham.edu.

Should you have any questions please contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy by email at khardy@framingham.edu, or by phone at 508-626-4558.

Academic Regalia (Caps and Gowns)

The base cost of the graduate regalia package is $41.90. This includes the customize FSU gown, cap, hood, and black tassel.

Purchasing options for graduates:
- Walk into the University bookstore (beginning on April 24th) and purchase on the spot for $41.90. See a store associate for assistance.
- Order and pay online by March 21st, and choose the Ship to Bookstore option for $41.90. Your regalia will be available for pick up beginning on April 24th. See a store associate for assistance. Valid ID will be required for pickup.
- Order and pay online by April 23rd and choose the option to Ship to Home (which includes an additional shipping and handling charge of $15.95 domestic, or $60.00 international).

All students will be wearing regalia made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles! In the effort to remain green on campus, the line of graduation wear - named GreenWeaver - is made of fabric spun from molten plastic pellets. Fewer plastic bottles will be choking our landfills because for every Framingham State student walking at commencement, an average of 23 plastic bottles will be used to produce each cap and gown. With some 60 million plastic bottles going into U.S. landfills every day, Framingham State is helping to turn those bottles into keepsakes.

Commencement Ceremony Information

Date: Friday, May 19, 2023 - for the College of Arts & Humanities, College of Business, and the College of STEM
Location: Dwight Performing Arts Center, 1st Floor Dwight Hall, FSU Campus
Time:
5:30PM - Doors to DPAC will open for all family and guests.  All students should check in at this time outside of the University Store in the Athletic Center. 
6:30PM - The academic procession will begin, family and guests should be seated by this time.  The Commencement Ceremony will last approximately one and half hours.
Commencement Speaker: Marcie Mills '83, Senior Sales Executive, Pandora

Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023 - for the College of Education and Social & Behavioral Sciences
Location: Dwight Performing Arts Center, 1st Floor Dwight Hall, FSU Campus
Time:
9:00AM - Doors to DPAC will open for all family and guests.  All students should check in at this time outside of the University Store in the Athletic Center. 
10:00AM - The academic procession will begin, family and guests should be seated by this time.  The Commencement Ceremony will last approximately one and half hours.
Commencement Speaker: Marcie Mills '83, Senior Sales Executive, Pandora

Parking

Ample parking is available in all legal parking spaces on campus. Parking lots open for students and their guests include:

• Normal Hill Lot
• McCarthy Center Lot
• Church Street Lot
• O'Connor Lot
• Maynard Road Lot
• Salem End Road Lot
• Adams Road Lot
• Maple Street Lot

There are also ample amounts of handicapped accessible parking spaces located around campus at designated areas. Legal placards are required to park in these spaces, and they are first come first serve.

Health, Safety, and Venue Policies

The 2023 FSU Commencement exercises will be a mask optional event.  Anyone wishing to wear a mask during the ceremony is encouraged to do so, but they will not be required.  The University reserves the right to change this policy if public health conditions in the location merit this action at the time of the ceremony.

Security Restrictions:

To ensure the safety and comfort of all guests attending events, please note the following prohibited articles.

• Firearms, explosives, pepper spray, or other weapons.
• Thermoses, coolers, or other liquid containers except in cases of medical need, as certified by a physician.
• Helium balloons, laser pens, artificial noisemakers, air horns, or megaphones.
• Large signs, flags, poles, banners, or laser pointers.
• Outside food and beverages are not allowed in the Auditorium.
• Alcoholic beverages, drugs, or illegal substances.
• Non-service animals.
• Drones.

Event Seating

With the exception of seats that are reserved for participating faculty, alumni, graduates, and special guests of the University all seating will be considered open.

American Sign Language Interpretation designated seating is in the front right side of the Auditorium. Guests wishing to access American Sign Language designated seating should contact Susan Romani at sromani@framingham.edu

Photography

During the ceremony, access to the stage area for picture taking or video taping by guests will be prohibited. A professional photographer will take an individual photo of each graduate and another one as they shake hands with the President of the University. They will receive a secure link to view their photos via email and also be mailed a paper copy of their proofs on an order form via US mail.  Please note, everyone will be photographed and there is absolutely no obligation to purchase.