Frequently Asked Questions
Each navigation category below has its own set of Jump to. Feel free to explore the page to find answers to any question you may have related to the Graduation process.
Jump to: Graduation Application | Grad Gala | Senior Exit Exam | Major Field Test | First Destination Survey | Commencement
Graduation Application FAQ
Key Areas related to the graduation application process:
Application Process
Jump to: How do I apply for Graduation? | Am I graduating with Honors? | Which college is my major in? | Can I obtain a letter stating I will graduate? | Have I turned everything in for graduation? | Is there a graduation fee?
How do I apply for Graduation?
Applying for graduation is an incredible moment in your academic journey. Find out more below:
Am I graduating with honors?
If you are an undergraduate student, you must achieve the inclusive grade point average (GPA) listed below to qualify for honors. This GPA includes APSU and transfer coursework.
- Cum Laude: 3.500 - 3.699
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.700 - 3.899
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.900 - 4.000
You can view your inclusive GPA by logging into your OneStop account, selecting Web Self-Service and the Student Tab, and clicking on "Student Records" and "Student GPA."
If you are a graduate student, you must achieve a minimum program GPA of 3.850 to qualify for graduate level honors. You can view your program GPA by logging into OneStop, selecting Web Self-Service and the Student Tab, and clicking on "Student Records" and "Degree Evaluation". Your program GPA will be listed above your program requirements.
If you qualify for honors, you may order an honor cord to wear at commencement. Cords may be purchased online when ordering your cap and gown.
Which college is my major in?
A great question! Please review the list below:
List of Academic Colleges and Majors
Can I obtain a letter stating I will graduate?
Once you have applied for graduation and have registered for or completed all degree requirements, you may request a letter stating you will graduate pending successful completion of current classes.
Please send this request from your Austin Peay email to graduation@apsu.edu; be sure to include your Student ID (A number).
Have I turned everything in for graduation?
After you apply for graduation, you will begin receiving emails regarding your graduation status a few months prior to commencement. We will let you know if you are missing anything for graduation. If you have any questions regarding your graduation status, please email graduation@apsu.edu.
Is there a graduation fee?
There are no additional fees for graduation, as these fees are now included in student service fees. This includes the cost for your cap and gown and your diploma. You will only be charged additional fees for extra items, such as honor cords, graduate hoods, diploma frames or covers, stoles, etc.
Review Process
Jump to: Who reviews my graduation application? | What is the average wait time after my application is submitted to be reviewed? | What should I do if my degree was not completed?
Who reviews my graduation application?
The Graduation Area, a internal part of the Office of the Registrar, reviews your graduation application. Do you have questions regarding your application? Feel free to reach out to the graduation area with the information below:
What is the average wait time after my application is submitted to be reviewed?
The Graduation Area will begin reviewing applicant files after the 14th day of class in the term in which you plan to graduate. Please watch your APSU email for updates.
What should I do if my degree was not completed?
If your graduation is canceled, you must move your application to a future semester. To request your application be moved, please email graduation@apsu.edu from your APSU email account and include your Student ID (A number) .
Post Decision
Jump to: Where do I go to pick up my diploma and/or cap and gown? | Can someone pick up my cap and gown? | Can someone pick up my diploma? | How do I announce my graduation in the local newspaper? | How do I obtain a duplicate copy of my diploma?
Where do I go to pick up my cap and gown?
Diplomas will be mailed to all graduates. Please watch your APSU email for updates regarding the conferment of your degree and the mailing of diplomas. Please make sure your mailing address is correct in OneStop.
Regalia will be available at Grad Gala and on commencement day. Regalia may be shipped to your home address by requesting at the following vendor link:
Can someone pick up my cap and gown?
Yes. If someone else will be picking up your cap and gown, please send an email request from your Austin Peay email account to graduation@apsu.edu. Please include your Student ID (A number) and the name of the person authorized by you to pick up your regalia. In lieu of this email, your designee may bring a signed statement from you, authorizing them to pick up your cap and gown. Your designee must present a valid ID, such as a driver's license, at the time.
Can someone pick up my diploma?
All diplomas will be mailed.
How do I announce my graduation in the local newspaper?
Degree candidates who wish to have graduation information released to their hometown newspaper must do so through their MERIT page.
If you have any questions about hometown press releases, please contact:
Office of Public Relations and Marketing at 931-221-7459
How do I obtain a duplicate copy of my diploma?
Send an email request to graduation@apsu.edu from your APSU email and include your Student ID (A number). There is a $10.00 fee for each duplicate diploma. Once your email is received, the $10.00 charge will be added to your account. This may be paid online through your OneStop account or by contacting Student Account Services at 931-221-6285.
Grad Gala FAQ
Jump to: Where do I pick-up my cap and gown? | Can my cap and gown be mailed to my home? What is the cost for my cap and gown? | Will there be a practice Commencement ceremony?
Where do I pick-up my cap and gown?
After the Graduation Gala, your cap and gown will be available for pick up at the Dunn Center on the day of the commencement ceremony.
Can my cap and gown be mailed to my home?
If you live out of town, your cap and gown can be mailed to you. You will be responsible for the shipping and handling fees. You will pay the fees on the Regalia website.
What is the cost for my cap and gown?
The price of your cap and gown are included in your graduation fees (bachelor's & master's); however, you will be required to pay for any additional items you may need, such as honors cord, graduate hood, stole, etc. The full cost of doctoral gown rental is not covered by graduation fees.
Will there be a practice Commencement ceremony?
We will not be holding a practice ceremony, so the Graduation Gala event is your opportunity to get all your questions answered regarding the ceremony.
Senior Exit Exam FAQ
Jump to: What is the Senior Exit Exam? | How do I register for the Senior Exit Exam? | How are Senior Exit Exam scores used?
What is the Senior Exit Exam?
To measure our progress toward excellence, the state of Tennessee requires Austin Peay to give a “senior exit exam” to all students graduating with a bachelor’s degree that assesses critical thinking skills. Austin Peay uses the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) for the Senior Exit Exam.
The Senior Exit Exam is a 34 question, multiple-choice test featuring questions that have a broad range of difficulty. This exam can be taken on any computer, tablet, or phone with internet access via a secure web browser or the Insight Assessment app. The exam can be taken without a proctor at any time of day, from any location. The test takes 45 minutes to complete. There is no cost associated with taking this exam.
Students should register for testing and view instructions and deadlines for the current semester through the Senior Exit Exam page on the IEA website.
How do I register for the Senior Exit Exam?
You should only register for the Senior Exit Exam in the semester in which you will graduate. Students should register for testing and view instructions and deadlines for the current semester through the Senior Exit Exam page on the IEA website.
If you have a disability that requires accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Disability Resource Center to schedule testing accommodations for the Senior Exit Exam:
Phone: (931) 221-6230, by TTY at (931) 221- 6278,
Fax: (931) 221-7102
E-mail: sdrc@apsu.edu.
How are Senior Exit Exam scores used?
The Senior Exit Exam helps the State of Tennessee and Austin Peay evaluate undergraduate student learning, as a whole. Individual scores are kept confidential and are not recorded on transcripts. Instead, the combined results of the Senior Exit Exam for all students provide important information to faculty and administrators to help Austin Peay evaluate and improve the undergraduate learning experience. Comparing Austin Peay’s scores to those nationwide also allows the university an opportunity to earn additional state appropriations used to further improve student learning and achievement.
Participation in testing is a graduation requirement for all students, and a commitment to performing well is expected. However, no minimum score or level of achievement is required for graduation. You are only required to take the exam, take it seriously, and do your best on it.
You do not need to specifically study for the exam, since it is designed to measure critical thinking, which is more about how you think, rather than what you know. If you’d like to know more about the exam before you take it, Insight Assessment has prepared a guide at this link:
Major Field Test FAQ
Jump to: What is a Major Field Test? | Who do I contact about the Major Field Test?
What is a Major Field Test?
Most departments require students graduating with either an associate or bachelor degree to take an exam that covers topics specific to their program of study. Known as a Major Field Test, this exam is different from the Senior Exit Exam, which focuses on general education and critical thinking skills.
Who do I contact about the Major Field Test?
Students should contact the person listed for the program on the Major Field Test information page.
If your program is not listed, contact your academic advisor to ask if a Major Field Test is required for your program and how and when you will take it.
Major Field Test information page
First Destination Survey FAQ
Jump to: Why do I need to complete the First Destination Survey? | Can alumni use Career Services after graduation? | Do alumni have access to Jobs4Govs after graduation?
Why do I need to complete the First Destination Survey?
APSU is required to collect this information by accreditation boards and governing bodies as a measure of graduate outcomes. First Destination data also gives the university insight regarding what our students plan to do after graduation so that we can better serve their needs as they prepare for the next step.
Can alumni use Career Services after graduation?
Yes! All Govs alumni can use our FREE career preparation services. These include resume review, mock interviewing, job search coaching, and career exploration. Contact CareerServices@apsu.edu or call 931-221-6544 for more info or to schedule an appointment!
Do alumni have access to Jobs4Govs after graduation?
Yes! Graduates can set up an alumni account by going to the link below and clicking “Sign Up”:
Commencement FAQ
Key Areas related to Commencement:
- Regalia/Diplomas
- Parking/Seating/Tickets
- Pictures/Video of Commencement
- Commencement Event/Hotels/Restaurants
Regalia/Diplomas
Jump to: Where do I get my regalia? | Can someone else pick up my regalia? | How do I wear my tassel? | Where do I get my diploma? | Can I get a duplicate diploma?
How do I wear my tassel?
Undergraduate students will wear the tassel on the right side of their cap. Graduate students will wear the tassel on the left side of their cap.
Parking/Seating/Tickets
Sub Navigation: Where do I, the graduate, sit? | Where do I park? Is there handicapped-accessible parking? | Is there handicapped-accessible seating? | Are tickets required? Is the number of guests limited?
Where do I, the graduate, sit?
When you arrive to the Dunn Center, proceed to the lobby for check-in. You will then be directed to line up for the processional in your assigned hallway. Once seated after the processional, you will remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony. Please be sure to give any personal items to your guests prior to entering the Dunn Center or leave them in your vehicle, as there will not be storage available for personal items. You will receive your name card and be directed to your hallway.
Where do I park? Is there handicapped-accessible parking?
General parking for commencement ceremonies is located on the east side of the Dunn Center off of Drane Street. Handicapped-accessible parking is located on the west side of the Dunn Center off of Robb Avenue (preferred parking) and directly behind the Dunn Center. See the map below:
May and December Ceremonies: Shuttle service will be available from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. See available pick-up points below:
August Ceremonies: No shuttle service will be available.
Is there handicapped-accessible seating?
There is handicapped-accessible seating. Seats must be reserved by the graduate. Graduates may email Patti Vinson at vinsonp@apsu.edu to obtain tickets for handicapped-accessible seating. Please include your A#, time of ceremony, and section of other reserved seats in the email request.
Are tickets required? Are the number of guests limited?
Our commencement ceremonies do require a ticket for each guest. Tickets can be printed or digital. Each ticket will have a unique QR code, which will be scanned at the door. Each graduate will be allotted eight tickets and will pre-select seats for their guests in the weeks leading up to the event. On the Monday before Commencement, all remaining seats, including a general admission area, will become available to anyone who would like to attend the ceremony.
Feel free to order your tickets from our Commencement schedule which is below:
Pictures/Video of Commencement
Sub Navigation: Is the ceremony recorded? | Who do I contact about pictures? | Can I take pictures or videotape?
Is the ceremony recorded?
The Department of Communication records and produces a DVD of each commencement ceremony. See the Graduation DVD order form for more information about ordering a copy of your ceremony DVD.
Who do I contact about pictures?
You will receive proofs of your pictures via email after the ceremony. If you do not receive your proofs, please contact Grad Images at 800-261-2576.
Can I take pictures or videotape?
Guests may use cameras and video cameras from their assigned seats during the commencement ceremony. Guests are asked not to stand in the walkways during commencement.
Commencement Event/Hotels/Restaurants
Jump to: What do I need to do to participate in the ceremony? | What time is Commencement? | Where is the ceremony held? | How long does the ceremony last? | What are the school colors? | Where do we get our name cards for graduation? Will we have to write out the phonetic spelling? | Where are local hotels? | Where are local restaurants?
What do I need to do to participate in the ceremony?
To participate in the ceremony, you must apply for graduation. All degree requirements must be completed by the applied graduation date.
You must wear full graduation regalia at the ceremony, including cap, gown and tassel; you must also wear a hood if you are a graduate student.
What time is Commencement?
See the Commencement Schedule for ceremony dates and times for the current semester. Future ceremony dates are listed on the Academic Calendar. You must arrive one hour prior to the ceremony and the doors open no earlier than one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.
Where is the ceremony held?
The ceremony is held at the Winfield Dunn Center, located at 320 Drane Street, Clarksville, TN 37044. See driving directions to the Dunn Center.
How long does the ceremony last?
Depending on the number of graduates, the ceremony typically lasts approximately an hour and a half.
Where do we get our name cards for graduation? Will we have to write out the phonetic spelling? Will we tell the pronunciation to the person reading names?
Graduation candidates, who are participating in the commencement ceremony, will check-in in the lobby of the Dunn Center to receive their name card and are encouraged to add the phonetic spelling of their name (if needed) to assist the name caller with pronunciation.
What are the school colors?
Austin Peay's official school colors are red and white. Black and variations of gray may also be used as supplemental colors.
Where are local hotels?
See Visit Clarksville for a full list of local hotels within a short distance of the APSU campus.
Where are local restaurants?
Search Visit Clarksville for restaurants in the Clarksville, TN area.