Congratulations to you as you draw near to the completion of your program requirements for the Juris Doctor degree!
Because FAMU is committed to protecting the health of the university community, our families, and friends, we will forego a traditional commencement for Fall 2020 gradutes. Instead, the University will host a virtual commencement on Saturday, December 12, 2020.
The following information has been compiled in an effort to answer the most frequently asked questions concerning the plans for Fall 2020 Commencement Exercise and other related matters. It is important that you read this information and use this site for future reference. Also, there are forms that you will need to complete and/or submit online.
The first four items must be completed by all graduating students. The fifth item must be completed by all graduates who received federal financial aid during their program of law study. Please pay close attention to the dates indicated in order to meet the various deadlines.
If you have any additional questions about the ceremony, or about any other aspect of your graduation, please do not hesitate to contact me at claudine.beale@famu.edu.
Forms and Deadlines
- Dean’s Certification for the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. The College of Law Registrar’s Office will complete the Dean’s Certification for the Florida Board of Bar Examiners for all graduates taking the Florida Bar Exam therefore, students do not need to provide individual certification forms. If you are taking the bar exam in a state other than Florida, you will need to provide the College of Law Registrar’s Office with the Dean’s Certification form for that jurisdiction in advance of that state’s Board of Bar Examiners published deadline. Out of state forms can be submitted via e-mail to Registrarcol@famu.edu.
- Complete the NALP Employment Graduate Survey Form. The College of Law is required to track and report information about the employment of our students after graduation. The collection of this information is extremely important as we seek to maintain full accreditation by the American Bar Association. Please complete the NALP employment survey by logging on to https://law-famu.12twenty.com/Login as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, December 4, 2020. Complete the survey by selecting "report status" in the "Post JD" section in your profile. Please contact the Office of Career Planning and Professional Development if you have difficulty accessing your account.
- Complete the Alumni Contact Form. Complete the Alumni Contact Form by clicking here as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, December 4, 2020. Please provide us with an address, phone number and non-FAMU e-mail address where you can be reached after graduation. We need a non-FAMU e-mail address to send you post-graduation information such as the status of the May 2021 Hooding Ceremony and February 2021 Florida Bar Lunches and law school alumni related e-mails.
- Complete the University’s Exit Survey. All graduating students must complete the University’s Exit Survey as part of the graduation process. The window for the survey will tentatively open late-November. The survey can be found at www.famu.edu/exitsurvey and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. After you have completed the survey, the computer system will assign you a confirmation receipt. Please keep a copy for your files. You do not need to provide a copy to the Registrar’s Office.
- Complete a Financial Aid Exit Counseling Session. Federal regulations require that all students who borrowed either Subsidized or Unsubsidized Federal Student Loans while attending the College of Law complete an exit counseling session by accessing the following website: https://studentloans.gov. You must do this as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, December 4, 2020. Once the exit counseling is complete, you are advised to print a copy for your records.
December 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony
What is a virtual commencement ceremony?
A virtual ceremony has many of the same components as a live ceremony. In exchange for walking across the stage to accept your diploma, we create a slide with your photo, degree, honors and any personalized messages you provide. An example of a virtual ceremony can be viewed here.
How do I submit my photo and personalized message for the fully virtual ceremony?
Your photo and personalized message can be submitted by completing the Fall Graduate Profile Form. The deadline to submit your information is Friday, November 13, 2020.
What if I do not want to participate in the fully virtual ceremony?
While we strongly encourage you to take part in this event, participation in the virtual ceremony is not mandatory. Your name will still be called during the virtual ceremony even if you do not submit a photo or personalized message.
Do I need regalia to attend the virtual ceremony?
Regalia is not required.
When will the virtual Commencement be held?
The University’s campus-wide virtual Fall Commencement Exercise will be held online, Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 10 am. If you will have completed all requirements for graduation by the end of the Fall 2020 Semester, you are eligible to participate in the University’s virtual Fall Commencement Exercise.
When will I get my diploma?
Diplomas and diploma covers will be mailed to your permanent address listed in iRattler. You will be notified via e-mail when diplomas are mailed.
If I am graduating with honors, will I have my honors cord in time for the virtual commencement ceremony?
No, you will not have your honors cord in time for the virtual commencement. Honor cords will be mailed to honor graduates with your diploma and diploma cover.
When will I receive information on the College of Law’s 2021 Hooding Ceremony?
We are awaiting confirmation from main campus to determine if we will be able to hold the College of Law’s Hooding Ceremony in May.