Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Graduation and Commencement?

Graduation is the process of being awarded a degree. All graduate and undergraduate students wishing to graduate, whether or not they intend to participate in the commencement ceremony, must apply for graduation by the semester deadline.

Commencement ceremonies are the services held at the end of each fall (December), spring (May) and summer (August) semester. These are ceremonies in which the attainment of the degree is recognized and celebrated by the University community and the students' friends and family.

Actual degrees are not awarded at the commencement ceremony.

A final degree audit must be completed before a degree is officially awarded. A degree audit will not be completed unless the candidate applies for graduation in the term in which they plan to graduate.

Can I participate in a commencement ceremony the semester before I actually graduate?

Students must be enrolled in or have all coursework/degree requirements completed to participate in commencement. With a commencement ceremony at the end of each academic semester including summer, students should plan to participate in the ceremony that coincides with the completion of all degree requirements. Students will not be allowed to march in an earlier ceremony.

IF I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY, DOES THAT MEAN I GRADUATED?

Participation in the ceremony does not guarantee the student has actually graduated until all requirements have been met.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR GRADUATION?

An Application for Degree Form must be filed with the Office of the Registrar for students seeking bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees. Applications must be submitted by the following deadlines:

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION FEE AND PROCEDURE TO APPLY FOR GRADUATION?

A nonrefundable graduation fee of $32 is charged for undergraduate and graduate degrees. The application for graduation is available in ASSIST for undergraduate students. Graduate and doctoral students may be picked up the graduation application at the Office of Graduate Studies, located in the Marialice Shary Shivers Building, Room 116. The fee may be paid online through ASSIST or at the Payments and Collections Office, Student Services Building, Room 1.145. The fee is used to pay for the processing of applications for graduation, music, commencement speakers, postage, diplomas and other expenses associated with graduation/commencement.

WHAT IF I DON'T MEET GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS?

You must pay a $10 transfer fee and submit a copy of the receipt to the Office of the Registrar in order to be transferred to the next graduation date.

HOW WILL MY NAME AND DEGREE APPEAR ON THE DIPLOMA AND TRANSCRIPT?

Upon graduation, your diploma will read with the name as it appears in your UTPA academic record, if different, please submit your request with the Office of the Registrar. You diploma will include your earned degree and major (i.e. Bachelor of Arts English). It will also include Latin honors (Summa, Magna or Cum Laude), if that was achieved at the time of graduation.

If you are a student pursuing a double major:

• A student who completes more than one major will be awarded one diploma.
• The diploma will appear with both majors, for example, "Bachelor of Science in Biology with a second major in Mathematics."

If you are a student pursuing a double degree, with different degree types, you will be awarded two diplomas.

The transcript will have the same information as the diploma, for example: "Bachelor of Arts, Major: English. A double major will read on the transcript, Bachelor of Arts, Major: English, Major: Biology.

A double major is distinctly different from an additional Baccalaureate degree in that only one degree is granted and it does not require additional credit hours beyond the departmental requirements. When two degree majors have very different requirements, students should consider a second degree program after the first degree has been completed and awarded. This would result in the awarding of two, distinct bachelor's degrees.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN A SECOND COPY OF MY DIPLOMA?

Submit a diploma re-order form to the Office of the Registrar with a copy of the $20 receipt from the Office of Payments and Collections.

WHERE DO I PURCHASE MY CAP AND GOWN?

All commencement related materials (announcements, invitations, caps, gowns, tassels, class rings, and commemorative memory stoles) may be purchased from the University Bookstore, which can be reached by phone at 956/665-2252 or by visiting their Web site at utpa.edu/bookstore

HOW LONG IS THE TYPICAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY?

The length of each UTPA commencement ceremony is approximately two hours.

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE FOR COMMENCEMENT?

Guests, graduates and faculty should arrive one hour before the ceremony begins.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO CERTIFY MY DEGREE?

It normally takes between 3-4 weeks to certify all of our prospective graduates. The Office of the Registrar can draft a letter of intent for you in the meantime.

WHERE CAN I REQUEST COPY/COPIES OF MY TRANSCRIPT?

A copy(ies) of a transcript may be requested at the Office of the Registrar, SSB 1.1.50, or through your student records in ASSIST.