Graduation
Whether you finished your last course in the fall or are finishing up this spring, we are very proud of your hard work and are excited to celebrate your accomplishments with you at our graduation commencement ceremony on Friday, May 1, 2026.
We have provided a list of important information below regarding your graduation.
Ceremony Information:
Date: May 1, 2026
Time: 10:00am (graduates arrive by 8:30am)
Location: Mission University Fieldhouse
628 E Kearney St.
Springfield, MO 65803
Fee for On-Campus Students: $350*
Fees for Online Students:
Online Undergraduate (diploma and attending ceremony): $350*
Online Undergraduate (diploma only): $100
Graduate (diploma and attending ceremony): $400*
Graduate (diploma only): $125
*Fee includes: 25 personalized graduation announcement cards, diploma, diploma cover, cap and gown
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
On-Campus Graduates
- Must complete your Intent to Graduate form by January 31, 2026
- Must pass all required courses in your program before the end of the spring semester
- Must have a passing Chapel and MUCG grade for every semester at Mission University. Students receiving a failing grade from any semester in either course must report to their respective Dean before graduation. You may contact Zach Stewart (zstewart@mission.edu) or Tina Ebert (tebert@mission.edu) to verify that you have completed this requirement for graduation.
- Must have all balances paid by Wednesday, April 15, 2026 (please see Jason Todd if you have concerns about meeting this requirement)
- Must complete FSA Loan Exit Counseling by Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- Must complete the Bible Knowledge Exit Exam by Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- Must complete the Graduate Exit Survey and send a screenshot to Chadd Harkrider (charkrider@mission.edu) by Wednesday, April 15,2026
Online Graduates
- Must complete your Intent to Graduate form by January 31, 2026
- Must pass all required courses in your program before the end of the spring semester
- Must have all balances paid by Wednesday, April 15, 2026 (please see Jason Todd if you have concerns about meeting this requirement)
- Must complete FSA Loan Exit Counseling by Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- (Bachelor Degree Students Only) Must complete the Bible Knowledge Exit Exam by Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- (Bachelor Degree Students Only) Must complete the Graduate Exit Survey and send a screenshot to Kenzie Harkrider (kharkrider@mission.edu) by Wednesday, April 15,2026
Masters Degree Graduates
If you are planning on walking the stage at graduation, please fill out your Seminary Student Bio Survey answering a few questions about yourself. A short bio will be read with the information given during the time you are receiving your regalia and diploma on stage. Please complete this form no later than Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Caps and Gowns:
Graduates will need to pick up their cap and gown from campus before the morning of the graduation ceremony. You may pick them up on campus during normal office hours starting AFTER April 21st. If you are traveling in from out of town, you may pick them up the day before graduation.
- Your gown and hood may be pressed on low heat
- Please do not wear or place any objects on the outside of the cap and gown such as flowers, pins, jewelry, art, etc.
- Your cap should be placed level on the top of your head.
- The tassel should be worn on the right side of your cap. You will be directed during the ceremony to “turn” your tassel.
Dress Code:
Women: Dresses, skirts, or dress slacks with dark shoes. No tennis, athletic, or flip-flop shoes permitted.
Men: White dress shirt, dark tie, dark slacks, dark socks and dark shoes. No tennis, athletic, or flip flop shoes permitted. Please make sure your hair and facial hair are properly trimmed.
Other important information:
- Announcements will be ordered in early February. If you have not filled out your Intent to Graduate form by January 31st, we will not be able to order your announcements. Once they have arrived, you will be notified and we can either ship them to you or you can pick them up at the school.
- We will host our annual graduate awards ceremony in “Awards Chapel” on Tuesday, April 28th at 9:20 am. This is not a required event, but highly encouraged that you attend, if possible, as we will recognize all 2024-2025 graduates and present honors and awards (scholar athlete honors, summa cum laude honors, magna cum laude honors, cum laude honors, department/division awards, and institutional awards).
- We will have a graduation rehearsal immediately following “Awards Chapel” on Tuesday, April 28th (approximately 10:40 am). This is not a required event, but highly encouraged that you attend, if possible.
- All graduates who are walking are required to meet in the Mission U Dining Hall at 8:30AM on Friday, May 1st for preparation and pictures. Please do not bring any valuables. Guests are not permitted in this area. Please take pictures with friends/family before 8:30AM or after the ceremony.
- Arrive in cap and gown (already pressed). These will be available for pick up a few weeks before graduation or the day before if you are traveling from out of town.
- During the ceremony, we ask that you not chew gum or bring your cell phones. Gentlemen, please be aware that you should always remove your cap anytime that President Milioni removes his cap.
- We will line up in the Dining Hall and be directed to our position prior to the ceremony.
- After the ceremony, you will be led outside of the Fieldhouse.
- Diplomas will be available for pickup after graduation if all academic, institutional, and financial obligations have been met. For those not attending graduation, diplomas will be mailed to you once all academic, institutional, and financial obligations have been met.