Graduation Cords

The Office of Undergraduate Research is excited to offer graduation cords to those who have demonstrated a commitment to research during their undergraduate years. This cord serves as a symbol of your dedication to academic inquiry and your contribution to the scholarly community. 

To qualify for the cord, students must accumulate a minimum of 150 points by attending specified events and activities. Each event and activity grants a specific number of points, and students can earn more points by being more involved in the research community. Please note that to qualify, students must have participated in at least one research project, such as working on a faculty member's research project or conducting independent research. 

A complete list of qualifying activities and their corresponding point values can be found below. Qualifying activities include attending workshops, participating in research programs and symposiums, presenting at conferences, and more. 

The graduation cord is free and is only offered to select students who have earned the required number of points. As a result, we strongly encourage all students to strive towards this achievement by attending events, participating in research opportunities, and engaging with the research community. 

We recognize the value of undergraduate research and the significant impact it can have on a student's academic and professional pursuits. Therefore, we believe that wearing this cord is an honor and a testament to your hard work and dedication.

To ensure that you receive proper credit for your attendance at qualifying events, we recommend taking pictures of your attendance and participation, and tapping in with your Talon Card at each event to provide as proof.

Once you have reached the minimum point requirement of 150, e-mail our@kennesaw.edu for access to our D2L page, fill out and add fields to the provided template accordingly, and provide a short reflection on your experience with undergraduate research at KSU and how it has impacted your academic and personal pursuits.

• How to apply for graduation cords:
  1. Email (from your KSU email account) our@kennesaw.edu to be added to the Graduation Cords D2L site.
  2. Once you have reached 150 points, complete the submission template form here.
  3. Upload the completed submission template to D2L.
  4. After your application has been assessed, you will receive an email with further instructions on picking up your graduation cords.
• When is the application due?

  For Fall graduation, the application is due no later than November 27th. For Spring graduation, the application is due no later than April 24th.

• Is there a cost associated with the graduation cords?

  The cords are free for students who meet the criteria (having earned 150 points and submitted the form by the due date). 

• If I lose my cord before graduation, can I get another one?

  No. Only one cord is given per student; therefore the loss or destruction of a cord cannot be replaced.

• What is the list of activities that count toward the graduation cords?

  Students must reach 150 points to be eligible for graduation cords. Below are the possible activities and the points associated. Be aware that you can participate in many of these activities multiple times and earn points each time. For example, three presentations at the Symposium of Student Scholars = 60 points (20 points per presentation). 

  Please note that conducting research is the baseline activity for receiving graduation cords and is thus not listed below.

  Your submission will be reviewed, and the awarding of cords is at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Research. Some submissions may be denied, so we encourage you to submit early so you have time to resubmit before your graduation.

  • Program/Event/Activity
    Points
  • Participation in the First-Year Scholars Program
    25
  • Participation in the Sophomore Scholars Program
    30
  • Participation in the Thrive/Achieve Atlanta (THAAT) Research Program
    30
  • Participation in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program
    40 each time
  • Participation in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program through the National Science Foundation (NSF)
    40 each time
  • Participation in the Birla Carbon Scholars Program
    40 each time
  • Served as an Undergraduate Research Peer Mentor
    30 per year
  • Registered Member of the Undergraduate Research Club
    5 
  • Served as an Officer in the Undergraduate Research Club (any position except President)
    15 per year
  • Served as the President of the Undergraduate Research Club
    20 per year
  • Published a paper in the Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research (KJUR)
    35 per paper
  • Presented at an on-campus research symposium, including the Symposium of Student Scholars, C-Day, Analytics Day, or another on-campus research event
    20 per presentation
  • Presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
    30 per presentation
  • Presented at Posters on the Hill
    40 each time
  • Presented at Posters at the Georgia State Capitol
    30 per presentation
  • Presented at the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (GURC)
    20 per presentation
  • Presented at research conference sponsored by a professional society
    30 per presentation
  • Registered Member of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) or another professional society
    5 per society
  • Attended an undergraduate research workshop
    5 per workshop
  • Served as an intern for the Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research (KJUR)
    20 per semester
  • Received funding from the URCA program
    25 per year
  • Author or co-author on a peer-reviewed journal publication (not a predatory journal, indexed, include impact factor)
    80 per publication
  • Author or co-author on conference proceedings (peer reviewed)
    30 per proceeding
  • Author or co-author on a scholarly book or book chapter
    30 per
  • Author or co-author on a story in a newspaper or magazine about the research
    25 per
  • Author or co-author on a peer-reviewed presentation (not already captured above)
    30 per presentation
  • College or department funding for undergraduate research
    25 per each
  • National or international funding for undergraduate research
    35 per each
  • Received an award for undergraduate research
    45 per award
  • Was featured in a story about their undergraduate research
    30 per story
  • Conducted research that led to an external grant proposal, not yet funded (include a letter from the faculty mentor describing the undergraduate researcher's contributions) 
    30 per each
  • Conducted research that led to an external funded grant (include a letter from the faculty mentor describing the undergraduate researcher's contributions) 
    40 per each
  • Was paid for undergraduate research activities from a faculty member's externally funded grant
    30
  • Received the Goldwater Scholarship
    150