We plan to hold an in-person Spring 2023 Commencement at 10 am on Saturday, May 6 at MetraPark.

 

Visit the commencement webpage for more info.

MSUB graduate at commencement
Applying for Graduation

Graduation Application Due Dates

 

Spring Semester 2023 Applications

November 18, 2022

Summer Semester 2023 (attending ceremony)

November 18, 2022

Fall Semester 2023

March 24, 2023

Summer Semester 2023 (not attending ceremony)

March 24, 2023

 

Please Note: If you are planning to graduate at the end of this Fall semester (December 2022), graduation applications were due last March. If you did not apply to graduate and are planning to finish in December, please submit paperwork to the Registrar's Office immediately (there is a $25 late fee per application if submitted after 5:00pm on September 27, 2022 in addition to the $50 application fee).

 

Graduation Application Instructions

Complete Application for Graduation Instructions

  1.  Type or hand write information required on appropriate graduation forms (links below).
    1. If you are majoring in more than one subject, please also submit “Application for Second Major”
    2. If you are earning a minor, or a minor is required for your degree program, please also submit “Application for a Minor”
    3. If you intend to earn two separate degrees, please submit one Application for Graduation for each degree you intend to earn upon graduation.
  2. Set up a meeting (well in advance) with your faculty advisor(s) to meet and finalize your Application for Graduation, Second Major or Minor (as applicable). Print off a copy of your DegreeWorks audit indicating all complete and/or in-progress coursework.
  3. Go to the Business Office cashier or call 406-657-1709 to pay the graduation application fee – non-refundable $50.00 (per degree).
  4. Bring Application for Degree, Second Major (if applicable), Minor (if applicable), copy of DegreeWorks audit and receipt from Business Office to the Registrar's office no later than the end of the 10th week of the semester PRIOR to the semester of completion.

NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 software in order to open these files. 

MSU Billings Commencement Procedures 

TBA

Gowns (Apparel)

Please to go to the Campus Store website, click on the GRADS tab and select GRADUATION REGALIA. Follow the ordering instructions on the Oak Hall web site. Your gown will be sent directly to you.  For more information call the Campus Store at 1-800-201-3794.

Name Card

You will receive a name card that you must prepare and hand to the “Reader of Names” on the stage. Please print your name clearly.*If your name is difficult to pronounce, please attach the Name Pronunciation form to your application for graduation.

Marching Order

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Instructions

Stand for the National Anthem, the men will remove their caps. 
When the Dean of your respective college confers your degree, all graduates of that particular college will stand. When called forward to receive your diploma, the first row will remain standing. All others will be seated until the row coordinator indicates when you should proceed to the stage area. 

Please Note These Additional Details

Degree Conferral and Recording Timeline

Degrees are conferred three times per year at the official end of the term as determined by the Academic Calendar – April/May; August; December.  The review of applications for degree posting is manual and takes multiple weeks at the end of each term.  If you have a strict timeline for licensure or employment, please contact the Registrar’s Office (406-657-2158) in advance.

NOTE:  For summer degrees, due to multiple course end dates, degrees are still conferred once at the official end of the term and will reflect the August end of term date as the graduation date.  Please be advised that even if you complete courses sooner, degrees are conferred after final grading at the end of the term.  Please appropriately notify licensing agencies and employers.

Diploma

Diplomas will be mailed at the end of the next semester following your degree completion.  You will receive only a diploma cover during the Commencement Exercise.

Parking

Parking is available either through the Main Street entrance to the upper level parking lot or through the lower entrance off of 4th Avenue to the lower parking lot. Suggest to relatives and friends that they allow enough time to park, walk to the MetraPark and be seated by 9:45 a.m. There are limited number of spaces available directly in front of the main entrance to MetraPark for handicap accessible parking.

Photographs

Every graduate will be photographed by a professional photographer at the moment of receiving the diploma and also on the ramp exiting the stage.  A color proof will be mailed or emailed to the student with addresses provided on the reader card or application within 1-2 weeks.  Graduates are under no obligation to purchase photos.  You can view your photo at Lifetouch Special Events.

Should family members wish to take pictures, they may do so during or after the Commencement exercise.

Tassels

Tradition indicates that the tassel is worn on the left side of the mortar board (cap) after degree has been conferred.

Bachelor degrees, Associate degrees in College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Health Professions and Science: blue and gold tassels.

All colleges Master Degrees gold tassels.

City College at MSU Billings blue and white tassels.

Honor Cords

Gold Honor Cords Distinguishing GRADUATING SENIORS with a grade point average of 4.00, signifying “Summa Cum Laude.”

Gold and Silver Honor Cords Distinguishing GRADUATING SENIORS with a grade point average between 3.75 and 3.99, signifying “Magna Cum Laude.”

Silver Honor Cords Distinguishing GRADUATING SENIORS with a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.74, signifying “Cum Laude.”

Blue and White Honor Cords Distinguishing two year degrees and certificates with a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.74 (Honors), 3.75 to 4.00 (High Honors).

Questions? Send e-mail to: Registrar