Ceremonies

Students with graduation terms between fall 2015 and summer 2016 are invited to participate in either or both of the following graduation events: 

  • The College of Business will be hosting the MBA Graduation Reception on Friday, June 10th, in the Masterson Family Marketplace, Austin Hall first floor. The reception will begin at 7 p.m. with recognition of MBA graduates starting at 7:30 p.m. Eligible graduates will receive an email invitation. You will be required to complete a short exit survey in order to RSVP. Submitting an RSVP, including the number of guests, will be required to participate in the MBA graduation reception.       
  • The university’s commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. Students must confirm commencement attendance by Friday, April 22. To do so, please log into MyOSU, click on “Student Records,” then “Commencement Attendance Confirmation.”

Cap and Gown

Students participating in the university commencement ceremony on June 11 must wear traditional cap and gown. You can purchase your regalia at the Grad Fair, April 18 & 19, or at the OSU Beaverstore online starting April 20. Online orders may be shipped directly or be held for pick-up. For inquiries please call 800-595-0357 or visit osubeaverstore.com/graduationcenter.  

The MBA graduation event on June 10 is business attire.  Students do not wear caps and gowns for the MBA graduation event.  


Receiving your Diploma

Graduates from fall 2015 through spring 2016 may receive their diplomas at the university commencement ceremony on June 11.  You must confirm your commencement attendance by Friday, April 22, in order to attend commencement and receive your diploma at the ceremony (see above). Diplomas are not distributed at the MBA graduation event on June 10.  

If you will not attend the university commencement ceremony, you may pick up your diploma at the Graduate School (300 Kerr Administration Building) beginning Monday, June 13 through early July. After this time, you may pick up your diploma at the Office of the Register. You can choose to have your diploma mailed to you.  More information is available here.  

Diplomas for students graduating Summer 2016 will be available through the Registrar’s Office after successful completion of the Summer term.  Summer 2016 graduates participating in the June 11 university commencement will receive a letter of acknowledgement in place of the diploma during that portion of the ceremony.  More information is available here


Final Oral Exams

The university requires successful completion of a final oral examination for all of the MBA degrees and tracks. The oral exam is conducted by a three-person faculty committee who will assess the student’s defense of the capstone project, as well as the student’s comprehensive knowledge of his or her program of study. You must earn a grade of “pass” on the final oral examination to earn your degree.  

Any incompletes on your academic record must be resolved before you may participate in your final oral exam. The final oral exam must be completed successfully before you can be recommended to receive your degree. 

MBA students (except those in the Research Thesis track) do not schedule their final exams through the Graduate School. The Graduate Business Programs office will coordinate the scheduling of final oral exams for MBA students - including date, time, location and committee.  


Degree Audit

To be recommended for the MBA degree, a candidate must:

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 for all courses taken as a graduate student; AND
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 for all courses listed on the MBA Program of Study, and have completed those courses; AND
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 for all COB coursework completed as part of the MBA degree; AND
  • Pass the final oral exam; AND
  • File a diploma application. 

The Graduate Business Programs office will audit fulfillment of each of the above requirements and submit a final program of study to the Graduate School for each graduating MBA student. If you are at risk for not meeting any of these requirements, please see an advisor in 326 Austin immediately. 


Additional Information for International Students

If you plan to have family members travel to the US for any of the graduation events, International Student Advising and Services (ISAS) offers a helpful guide for international students - Inviting Family to the US, that includes a list of supporting materials, a sample letter of invitation, and advice for family members when applying for a visitor visa.

International graduates planning to take advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT) following graduation, should file for OPT with International Student Advising and Services (ISAS) immediately if they have not done so already.  Applications for OPT are reviewed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and take approximately 3-4 months to process. Students must attend an OPT information workshop before requesting a recommendation for OPT.  Please contact ISAS for more information.