graduation ceremony audience and stage

You did it! Congratulations!

2023-2024 Commencement Ceremony

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, we will celebrate our Graduates!

Commencement will be held at the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118.

In order to walk/participate in the commencement ceremony, students must "Register to Walk" in their student portal. After "Registering to Walk," the confirmation screen will show the student’s ceremony time.


Ceremony & Check-In Times

Associate of Science, Certificates, & Adult Education

Ceremony: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 9:30 a.m.
Graduate Check-In: Graduates must arrive at check-in between 7:45 - 8:15 a.m.
9:30 a.m. Announcement - 64th Annual Commencement Exercises (livestream)


Associate of Arts

Ceremony: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 2:00 p.m.
Graduate Check-In: Graduates must arrive at check-in between 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m. Announcement - 64th Annual Commencement Exercises (livestream)


Bachelors

Ceremony: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.
Graduate Check-In: Graduates must arrive at check-in between 4:45 - 5:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m. Announcement - 64th Annual Commencement Exercises (livestream) 

student at graduation with diploma

Important Dates & Deadlines

Fall 2023 Completers

  • First day to apply: August 28, 2023*
  • Last day to apply: December 1, 2023
  • Commencement Ceremony Participation: Register to Walk between December 22, 2023 and March 18, 2024***
  • Grad Info Packet Pickup: April 1 – April 30, 2024 at Daytona Campus. Packet contains info protected by FERPA laws and will be issued to student only.
  • Commencement Ceremony: Tuesday, May 14, 2024  Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL.
  • Degree conferred: by approx. December 22, 2023
  • Diplomas mailed: January 19, 2024

Spring 2024 Completers

  • First day to apply: January 16, 2024*
  • Commencement Ceremony Participation: Register to Walk between January 16, 2024 and March 18, 2024*** to be included in the Commencement Book and the Commencement Ceremony. Students that apply for graduation after March 18, 2024 will not have their name listed in the published Commencement Book and will not be eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.**
  • Spring Completers that do not wish to Walk in the ceremony: - Last day to apply to be awarded: April 28, 2024.
  • If you apply/register after March 18, 2024- Your name will not be listed in the Commencement Book and you may not participate in the ceremony.
  • Grad Info Packet Pickup: April 1 – April 30, 2024 at Daytona Campus. Packet contains info protected by FERPA laws and will be issued to student only.
  • Commencement Ceremony: Tuesday, May 14, 2024  Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL.
  • Degree conferred: by approx. May 22, 2024
  • Diplomas mailed: June 3, 2024

Summer 2024 Completers

  • First day to apply: January 16, 2024*
  • Commencement Ceremony Participation: Register to Walk between January 16, 2024 and March 18, 2024*** to be included in the Commencement Book and the Commencement Ceremony. Students that apply for graduation after March 18, 2024 will not have their name listed in the published Commencement Book and will not be eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.**
  • Summer Completers that do not wish to Walk in the ceremony - Last day to apply: July 31, 2024.
  • If you apply/register after March 18, 2024- Your name will not be listed in the Commencement Book and you may not participate in the ceremony.
  • Grad Info Packet Pickup: April 1 – April 30, 2024 at Daytona Campus. Packet contains info protected by FERPA laws and will be issued to student only.
  • Commencement Ceremony: Tuesday, May 14, 2024  Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL.
  • Degree conferred: by approx. August 22, 2024
  • Diplomas mailed: September 2, 2024

For Cap, tassel and gown purchase, please visit Daytona State Graduation Shop by Jostens

*You must apply for graduation even if you do NOT wish to walk in the Commencement ceremony.

**You must apply and register to walk on or before this date to participate in Commencement.

***If you plan to walk in the ceremony, you must apply for grad and Register to Walk to reserve your seat and guest tickets in your portal under ACADEMICS/ REGISTER TO WALK

NOTE: If you are completing in Fall 2023, Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 –and have Applied for Grad, Registered to Walk, picked up your Grad Info packet and purchased your cap, tassel and gown – you may Walk in the ceremony no matter what your grad status is: Applied, In Review, Pending or Denied

Walking is not an indication of completion. Degree is not conferred or printed until all requirements are met.

Expand All Collapse All
  • How do I know if I'm ready to graduate?

    Check to see if everything is marked satisfied on Enroll by My Requirements in Falcon Self-Service.

    If you're not sure, meet with an Academic Advisor or your academic program Department Chair prior to submitting your graduation application if you have any questions.

    If you are close to completing requirements and want to be reviewed for graduation, please complete the graduation application and pay the grad fee. Your records will be reviewed by the Department Chair, and you will receive emails to your DSC email regarding grad status changes. See chart below. When you are Chair Approved for graduation, your graduation status will be changed to “Pending Final Review” which means pending the end of the full term when grades are posted. If your status is “Denied” please see an Academic Advisor to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Denied status does not count against you in any way and does not appear anywhere on your records; it is strictly for your information that more requirements need to be met. If Denied is not corrected by end of term, your grad application will be moved to the next term for review.

    Graduation Statuses Students see in Student Portal under Graduation Status

    Applied for Graduation

    Program in Review

    Pending Final Review

    Denied

  • How do I submit a graduation application?
    1. Check the graduation application deadline on the Academic Calendar to make sure you don't miss the window to apply. If you do miss the deadline, you'll have to wait to apply next semester.
    2. The Graduation application is available on the MyDaytonaState portal by logging into Falcon Self-Service under the Academics > Graduation.
    3. The graduation fee is due during the online application process. If you'd like to pay in person or over the phone, you may pay by phone to the Student Accounts office 386-506-3024. You must still complete the online Graduation Application after paying by phone! The system will skip the payment process.
    4. Spring & Summer graduates must Apply for Graduation and Register to Walk in Spring term, before March 18, 2024, in order to be included in the Commencement Book and Commencement participation.
  • What are the graduation fees?

    You only pay for each diploma type once - additional of the same level are free. So, if you're graduating with multiple degrees at the same time, or you come back and complete an additional degree (of the same level) in another semester, you don't have to pay again!

    Certificate (Vocational, AS certificates, etc.)
    $15 non-refundable fee

    Associate of Arts & Associate of Science (2-year degrees)
    $25 non-refundable fee

    Baccalaureate
    $25 non-refundable fee

    Payments are made during the online application process or you can pre-pay through the Student Accounts office. You must still complete the online Graduation Application if pay by phone or in person. If you have a serious financial hardship and need help paying the graduation fee, apply to be considered for fee waiver.

     

  • Is the GED application process different?

    Yes, GED graduates apply using the GED Ceremony Application. See your instructor or GED Coordinator.

  • When will I get my diploma?

    Once all requirements are met and the full term has ended, your diploma is mailed to the address you entered on your graduation application about 3-4 weeks after the end of the term your degree was awarded. Check the Academic Calendar for the mail by date. If you move, be sure to update your home address and phone number before the end of your graduating term on Falcon Self-Service.

  • How do I qualify for Honors or High Honors status?

    We use your combined cumulative GPA when you apply for graduation to determine Honors or High Honors status. A minimum GPA of 3.50 is need for Honors and a minimum GPA of 3.80 is needed for High Honors. If your GPA changes after final grades are in, resulting in receiving Honors or High Honors status, this will be recognized on your diploma and final transcript, but will not be changed for the ceremony. For the published commencement book, only the cumulative GPA from the previous fall semester is used to determine Honors or High Honors status.

  • I'm transferring, how do I order an official transcript?

    You can order a transcript on Falcon Self-Service from the Academics menu. If you are graduating and need the official transcript to show the awarded degree, please select the option “Hold for Degree” if degrees are not yet awarded and posted to your records.

  • How do I register to participate in the Commencement Ceremony?

    You must first Apply for Graduation to be eligible to register to walk. Log into Falcon Self-Service portal and Register to Walk by March 18th. You must Register to Walk to have your name printed in this year's commencement booklet and register you for participation in the ceremony. If you miss the deadline, you will not be included in the ceremony participation RSVP list and your name will not be printed in the booklet. There is no fee for the tickets - students may reserve up to 6 tickets. Due to capacity limits, additional tickets may not be available. Friends and family may also watch the Live Stream - Links will be posted on the DSC website prior to the ceremony.

    For Fall Graduates

    Register to Walk opens December 22, 2023. Log into Falcon Self-Service. From the Alumni Home screen, go to the Graduation > Register to Walk  tile, then select your degree and the number of guest tickets you would like reserve. Be certain you know how many tickets you need, your selection for number of tickets cannot be changed. The time for your ceremony will display on your confirmation message. Please make note of the ceremony start time - you must arrive 1.5 hours early to your ceremony time with your cap, gown, tassel, and name card.

     

    For Spring & Summer Graduates

    Apply for Graduation and Register to Walk opens January 16, 2024. Log into Falcon Self-Service. Under Academics > Register to Walk, select your degree and the number of guest tickets you would like reserve. Be certain you know how many tickets you need, your selection for number of tickets cannot be changed. The time for your ceremony will display on your confirmation message. Please make note of the ceremony start time - you must arrive 1.5 hours early to your ceremony time with your cap, gown, tassel, and name card.

  • How do I pick up my reserved ceremony tickets?

    APRIL is Grad Info Packet Pick Up Month. The Grad Info Packet includes your reserved tickets, student parking pass, and commencement instruction letter. After you have applied for graduation and registered to walk, your Grad Info Packet will be available for student to pick up from April 1 – April 30. Bring your photo ID to the Daytona Beach Campus Records Office (Wetherell Center, building 100, room 208) to pick up your Grad Info Packet anytime during normal business hours in April. No appointment is necessary.

    Note: Grad Info packets contain information protected by FERPA laws and will be issued to student only. Student must pick up their own packet with photo ID so that ceremony day instructions may be reviewed with student, there is no rehearsal. If you cannot pickup your packet, you must email graduation@daytonastate.edu for options.

  • How do I get my cap and gown?

    Where can I purchase Cap and Gown regalia for the ceremony?

    If you plan to participate in the ceremony, you may purchase your cap, gown, and tassel through this link:

    Daytona State Graduation Shop by Jostens 

    Select the cap and gown for the degree you are earning:  Certificate (black), Associates (black), or Bachelors (blue). 

    All tassels are blue and silver with a year charm. 

    Cap and gown must be purchased by March 18th to allow for delivery time.

    If you need to purchase only a cap and tassel or only a tassel, please contact the DSC Bookstore (386) 506-3234

    Complete Cap, tassel and gown packages are available at the link above. 

    How do I get my cap and gown?

    Cap and Gown Packages are shipped by Jostens after you purchase online. Cap and Gowns are not available for purchase at the DSC Bookstore.

    Cap and Gown must be purchased through the DSC Webstore by Jostens.  Click the link to order:

    Daytona State Graduation Shop by Jostens 

    When is the deadline for cap and gown purchase?

    The deadline to purchase regalia is MARCH 18, 2024. This will ensure that your cap and gown are delivered prior to the ceremony date.

    Make sure you order in time for 3 week delivery. You must have your cap, gown, tassel, and Name Card when you check-in on the day of the ceremony.

    Name Cards are given to students at Grad Info Packet Pick Up in April. Grad Info Packets contain your reserved tickets, parking pass, instructions, Name Card and map.

    How do I get my honors regalia?

    For students with GPA honors, honors sashes and tassels are handed out at the ceremony when you check-in. There is no charge for honors regalia.

Office of Records & Graduation

Contact Us

Graduation@DaytonaState.edu
(386) 506-3876