Graduation
Everything you need to know about graduation
This page provides Fisher students with details about the graduation process, including application requirements, important deadlines and commencement preparation resources.
The university hosts three commencement ceremonies each year, one at the end of every term:
- Fall Commencement (December)
- Spring Commencement (May)
- Summer Commencement (August)
As part of this tradition, every student receives a physical diploma during the ceremony. To graduate and receive a diploma, students must submit a graduation application. See the table below for application submission deadlines.
Apply for graduation
Graduation applications must be submitted by the deadlines below to ensure adequate processing time and to receive a graduating senior scheduling window:
| Intended term of graduation | Application deadline to receive priority scheduling | Last day to apply to graduate |
| Summer 2026 | N/A | July 17, 2026 |
| Autumn 2026 | N/A | October 30, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 | September 18, 2026 | March 26, 2027 |
| Summer 2027 | September 18, 2026 | July 16, 2027 |
Fisher's Graduation Services team will send a series of emails to your OSU email account throughout your graduating term to guide you through the graduation process. These are sent Weeks 4, 8, 12, and 14. In the meantime, review the frequently asked questions below to help answer your questions.
Frequently asked questions
Fisher does not hold a separate undergraduate commencement ceremony. Fisher students participate in Ohio State’s university commencement.
Fisher hosts its annual Graduation Celebration each spring, where graduating students can enjoy refreshments, decorate their graduation caps, receive a Fisher-branded graduate gift and participate in activities such as Pie a Professor, which supports the senior class scholarship fund.
If your family members are traveling from outside the United States, they may need documentation to support their visa application. The university’s Office of International Affairs provides guidance and a process for requesting an official invitation letter. Visit this page for instructions and requirements.
Your line number will be sent to your Ohio State email during week 14 of your graduating term, along with final commencement details.
During your final semester, Fisher's Graduation Services team will send important updates to your Ohio State email. Messages are typically sent during weeks 4, 8, 12 and 14. Review each message carefully and complete any required actions.
To review how your name will appear on your diploma and make changes if necessary, follow the steps below.
- Go to Buckeyelink.
- Select Personal Information then Diploma Name.
- If your name needs to be changed, follow the directions to do so. This link will be available through the tenth week of the term in which you have applied to graduate.
Note that changes to the name on your diploma are not official record changes. The name entered will only be used for printing the diploma and the commencement program. Transcripts and enrollment verification will continue to use your primary name. If you need to update your primary name, please complete a Request for Change of Record Change of Record by the end of the 10th week before commencement.
Questions? Email FCOB-graduation@osu.edu
Your graduation application must be submitted by the 10th Friday of your graduating term. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.
Send an email to Fisher's Graduation Services team as soon as possible for assistance.
Specializations, minors and second majors appear on your transcript, not your diploma. If you see that a specialization, minor or second major is not listed, or if you are dropping one, email Fisher's Graduation Services team.
Students completing a minor or second major (M2) outside of Fisher must submit the appropriate form(s) as part of their graduation application, including the Minor Form and/or Second Major (M2) Form.
If you are earning a second degree (dual degree) from another college at the university, please know that all dual degrees require extra hours and coursework to be completed. Review dual degree vs. second major rules and instructions at go.osu.edu/gradapp-dualinfo. You must submit a graduation application with your other college of enrollment to ensure you are good for your other degree as well. For questions, email Fisher's Graduation Services team.
All transfer credit completed before your final semester must be posted to your Ohio State account by week 7 of your graduating term.
If you are completing transfer credit during your final semester, email Fisher's Graduation Services team so it can be recorded correctly and your graduation processed on time.
When ordering a transcript, request electronic delivery to Ohio State and follow these instructions for submitting transfer credit.
Taking credit at Columbus State Community College your last term? See the Early Grade Release instructions.
If you are unable to attend the official commencement ceremony, fill out the following form and email it to Fisher's Graduation Services team.
If you successfully complete all requirements for an eligible Fisher honors program, you will graduate "with honors" and receive the designation on your diploma. Contact a Fisher honors advisor if you have questions.
Undergraduate students may be granted Latin honors for exceptional achievement in the curriculum of a college or school. Students must earn a minimum of 60 credit hours of Ohio State of letter graded coursework and have the following cumulative GPA:
- 3.5-3.69: Cum Laude
3.7-3.89: Magna Cum Laude
3.9-4.00: Summa Cum Laude
If you do not see Latin honors on your record even though you have the GPA, check your number of earned hours at the university.
If your GPA goes up your final semester, your diploma and permanent record will show the change and you can wear honors cords. However, the commencement program is printed before the final grades are in and will only reflect any Latin honors determined in the previous semester.
Contact Fisher's Graduation Services team with questions about your graduation application, academic record, transfer credit or commencement requirements.