Frequently Asked Questions

 

Jump to: Application Process | Cap & Gown | Tickets |  Parking  | Venue/Ceremony

 

Application Process

I missed the graduation application deadline. Will I have a diploma on graduation day?
The Office of the Registrar does not give out diplomas on the day of the ceremony. Diploma orders will be placed in mid-January and mailed to your address on record in Bulldog Connection. Diploma orders will only be placed for students that have fulfilled all academic and financial obligations.

My name has changed. Is it too late to have it reflected on my diploma?
If you request a name change more than 7 days after the graduation application deadline, you will be required to complete a Replacement Diploma Form and pay a fee. You also will be required to submit to the Office of the Registrar official documentation to support the change of name.

If I don’t plan to attend the ceremony, do I have to apply for graduation?
Yes. All students whether planning to participate in the ceremony or not have to apply and pay all fees to be academically reviewed and cleared by the Office of the Registrar.

Can I be cleared for graduation if I have an outstanding balance?
Yes, you can be cleared for graduation and participate in commencement but you will not be able to have your diploma mailed to the address on file. 

If I do not complete my degree requirements, will my name automatically roll over to the graduation list for the next semester?
No. You must reapply for graduation but you will not be required to pay an additional graduation fee.

How will I know that I have met the requirements to participate in the graduation ceremony?
Check your Bulldog Connection account to view your graduation status. As long as your status says “Pending” or “Approved,” or you have been given special permission to participate in commencement, you are eligible to participate. If your status is “Denied,” but you have submitted a Commencement Participation form and it was approved, you will be able to a participate in the graduation ceremony.

How will I know that I have met the requirements to participate in the graduation ceremony? 
Check your Bulldog Connection account to view your graduation status. If your status says, “Pending” or “Approved,” you are eligible to participate.

If your status is “Denied” but you are seeking permission to participate in the ceremony, you must get approval through Academic Affairs. Please reach out to your faculty advisor to discuss this option and your eligibility.

For additional information related to the application process, please refer to the Applying for Graduation page of the Registrar’s website. For additional questions, please email registrar@bowiestate.edu.

[top]

 

Cap & Gown

How do I order my academic regalia, rings, &c.?
Visit http://colleges.herffjones.com/college/bsu/

How do I know that I have been cleared for graduation and can pick up my academic regalia?
Check your Bulldog Connection account to view your graduation status. As long as your status says “Pending” or “Approved,” or you have been given special permission to participate in commencement, you are eligible to participate. Regalia will be shipped to your home if you choose to order it. Regalia is not required to participate in the virtual ceremony.

I haven’t ordered my regalia. Can I still participate in the graduation ceremony?
Regalia will be shipped to your home if you choose to order it. Regalia is not required to participate in the virtual ceremony.

I am a transfer student with 59 Bowie credits. Will I be eligible for Latin Honors?
You need 60 or more Bowie State credits to be considered for Latin Honors. However, a transfer student who has earned 30-59 semester hours at Bowie State University and has a GPA of 3.5 or above will graduate with Academic Recognition.

Please note that because final grades are processed after commencement and the commencement program is published prior to the ceremony, Latin Honors and Academic Recognition listed in the program are tentative, pending the submission of the final grades of that term. Consequently, students that do not have Latin Honors at the time that the commencement program is published, may end up meeting the criteria after –it will be recorded on the transcript and diploma. Likewise, students that do have Latin Honors or Academic Recognition at the time of the commencement program being published, may change to a higher or lower level afterwards, depending on the student’s final GPA.

When will I receive my Honors cord?
Honor cords will be distributed on the morning of graduation at check-in with your name cards.

[top]

 

Tickets

Why do I need tickets for Commencement?
The building maintains state and federal capacity and fire code guidelines to ensure the safety of all guests. Tickets are required for everyone (including infants and children) to ensure compliance with safety protocols. 

How do I receive tickets?
Tickets will be distributed from 4/28 - 5/7.

How many tickets will I get for Commencement?
Each graduate will receive:

• five (5) tickets for guests attending the ceremony at the main ceremony location (see Venue, below)
  
• two (2) tickets for guests attending the ceremony at the satellite locations

Digital tickets only are available.

Where do I pick up Commencement tickets?
Digitial tickets will be delivered via email.

Can I buy additional tickets?
Commencement tickets are not for sale. Tickets should not be sold by any BSU student or BSU official. Students are encouraged to contact other graduates who may not use their full allotment of tickets. BSU is not responsible for facilitating this exchange.

Do children need tickets if they can sit in an adult's lap?
For safety reasons and fire code regulations that require an accurate count of everyone in the building, children 2 years and older require a ticket.

 

Parking

Each graduate will receive three on-campus parking passes for commencement day. Two parking passes for guests and one parking pass for the graduate. For all other guests, parking will be available at our convenient satellite lots, with a shuttle service to transport them to the campus. Please note, parking passes grant the ability to park on campus on a first-come, first-served basis. A campus map can be found here.

 

Once campus reaches its parking capacity, guests will be directed to park at one of three Satellite Parking Locations listed below.

• Marc Train Station
• Jericho Park – 9510 Laurel-Bowie Rd., Bowie, MD 20720
• Horsepen Park – 8609 Race Track Rd., Bowie, MD 20715
• Saddlebrook East Community Park – 8311 Race Track Rd., Bowie, MD 20715

 

A shuttle service will be provided for guests from the Satellite Parking Locations to Bowie’s campus, running every 15 minutes, from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

 

No parking will be allowed on 197 (Laurel-Bowie Rd.) and Jericho Rd.

[top]

 

Venue/Ceremony

Where does Commencement take place?
Commencement ceremonies are held on the campus of Bowie State University.

• The main location for spring commencement ceremonies is the Bulldog Stadium [#10 on the map]
• The main location for winter commencement ceremonies take place in the Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex [#7 on the map]

What are the satellite locations for the commencement ceremonies?

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Center [#29 on the map]
• Student Center Theatre [#20 on the map]

How long is the ceremony?
The ceremony will last approximately two hours. 

Is there a secure place to leave my purse or wallet during the ceremony?
We do not have a secure area for your personal belongings.  We encourage you to leave all personal items with family members or friends attending the ceremony. The university is not responsible for lost or stolen items. See our policy regarding what bags are permitted in the venue.      

How soon can I request my final transcript?
You will be able to request transcripts online beginning Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

[top]