When should I apply to graduate?
Apply for graduation during the term you plan to receive your degree. The academic calendar lists two important deadlines:
- Priority Deadline: Applying by this date ensures a faster review of your application. The Registrar's Office recommends meeting this deadline to allow time for any necessary schedule or degree plan adjustments.
- Participation Deadline: This is the final deadline for declaring your intention to graduate and participate in commencement activities.
How do I apply to graduate?
- Log in to MyMC and select BannerWeb for Students.
- On Banner, select Student Profile at the top.
- In the left-hand menu, select Apply to Graduate (last link).
- Follow these steps before submission:
- Choose the appropriate term and curriculum.
- Select your intended graduation date and indicate if you will attend the ceremony.
- Enter your height and weight (for cap and gown ordering).
- Specify how your name should appear on your diploma.
- Provide a mailing address (not an MC campus box) where your diploma should be sent 3-4 weeks after graduation.
Note: If you see the message “No Curricula Available,” you have already applied to graduate and do not need to do so again.
When will I hear back after applying to graduate?
Within a few weeks of submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation from the Office of the Registrar in your MC email account. Be sure to check your MC email regularly for updates.
What if I don't meet my degree requirements?
Your advisor is your best resource for staying on track to graduation. If you do not meet your degree requirements, contact your advisor as soon as possible. They can help you:
- Identify any missing requirements.
- Register for additional courses if needed.
- Explore possible course substitutions.
I applied to graduate, but won’t finish my degree requirements in time. What should I do?
Contact the Registrar’s Office at graduation@mc.edu or 601-925-3210.
I received an email that I am cleared to graduate. What now?
Continue checking your MC email for updates. As long as you do not drop a class or fail a required course, your graduation status will remain unchanged.
Can I get my cap and gown early?
Mississippi College does not stock graduation caps and gowns, as graduates keep them each year. We recommend contacting a previous MC graduate to see if you can borrow their regalia for photos.
When can I pick up my cap and gown?
Regalia pick-up happens Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 6 PM before Friday's graduation. The exact location will be announced soon.
If you cannot pick up your regalia during the designated pick-up time or need someone to pick it up for you, contact Missa Turman in Athletics at turman@mc.edu.
Note: Graduates keep their regalia after the ceremony; your graduation fee covers the cost.
What should I wear under my cap and gown?
There is no official dress code for commencement. We recommend wearing comfortable, business casual attire. Choose footwear that is easy to manage when navigating the steps on and off the stage.
Do my guests need tickets? Is there a guest limit?
Yes. Each graduate receives 7 guest tickets for their commencement ceremony.
What qualifies me to receive Latin honors?
All undergraduate students (including transfers) who have completed at least half of their coursework at Mississippi College (i.e., a minimum of 65 semester hours at MC, excluding AP, IB, CLEP, or credit-by-correspondence) will receive their degrees with special recognition following the following grade point averages:
- 3.500 - 3.699: cum laude
- 3.700 - 3.899: magna cum laude
- 3.900 - 4.00: summa cum laude
Mississippi College does not award Latin honors to students receiving graduate degrees.
What stoles and honor cords can I wear with my regalia?
Only those stoles and honors cords approved by the Mississippi College Graduation Sub-Committee can be worn outwardly at graduation.
At this time, members of Alpha Chi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Mu Gamma, Pi Mu Epsilon, Chi Sigma Iota, and Mortar Board honor societies may wear honor cords at graduation. The Athletics Department provides a stole for athletes. Student Success offers cords for First Generation Students, and the Office of Veteran Affairs provides a cord for veterans. Members of Swannanoa, Laguna, Nenamoosha, and Kissimee Social Tribes may also wear cords if they meet their organization's criteria.
If you have questions about which stoles and cords are allowed, contact Dr. David Miller, the faculty graduation marshal, at dmiller@mc.edu.
How early should I arrive for my ceremony?
Graduate check-in begins at 8:30 AM for the 10:00 AM ceremony and at 1:00 PM for the 2:00 PM ceremony. Arrive early to allow time for check-in.
How long will commencement last?
Each ceremony will last approximately 1.5 hours.
I forgot to apply to graduate and both deadlines have passed. What can I do now?
You may still receive your degree, but you must fill out a Late Application form on Banner as soon as possible. More information will be emailed to your MC account.
Where can my guests stay overnight?
Several Clinton hotels offer a special rate to Mississippi College students and their families. The Holiday Inn Express, the Fairfield Inn and Suites, the Hilton Garden Inn, the Comfort Inn, and the Quality Inn are all within 5 miles of campus.
What area restaurants are recommended?
Great question! We polled a few members of our campus community:
Dr. David Miller, Graduation Marshal and Professor of English: Bravo!
Tanya Bradley, Coordinator of Degree Candidacy: Amerigo in Ridgeland, Amerigo in Flowood
Megan Pritchett, Registrar: Table 100
Michael Wright, Acting Dean of Enrollment Services: Lou’s Full-Serv
Dr. Jonathan Randle, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences: Saltine, Pig and Pint, Brent’s Drugs, and Walker’s Drive-In (these are in Fondren near downtown Jackson)
Our President, Dr. Blake Thompson, insists that you can’t go wrong with barbecue and suggests Sonny’s, Pig and Pint, and Kenova Smokehouse.
How can I order a class ring?
Mississippi College class rings are reserved exclusively for alumni and students who have completed 54 credit hours in good standing with the university. Order your class ring so you will have it by graduation. Contact the Alumni Office at 601.925.3252 if you have any questions.
How much are the graduation fees, and when are they due?
Undergraduate graduation fees are $117, and graduate graduation fees are $160. These fees must be paid to the Bursar's Office no later than the Tuesday before Commencement. If you have questions about payment, contact the Bursar's Office at 601-925-3308 or bursar@mc.edu.
May I decorate my cap for graduation?
No, decorated caps are not permitted.
