General Graduation Information
APPLYING FOR THE DEGREE
Students eligible to apply for graduation must submit an application online via ASSIST by the published deadline in the University Calendar.
Undergraduate students will be eligible to apply for graduation online via ASSIST upon completion of 100 credit hours and achievement of a minimum total GPA of 2.0 or higher and must be following a degree-seeking programs.
Graduate students may apply for graduation online via ASSIST when the student is close to completing degree requirements. If a student is graduating from a Graduate Certificate program, there is a separate form. Please visit the Gradate College website for more details.
Applications received after the published deadline may be processed for the next available graduation date. Graduation application deadlines are necessary for timely notification of outstanding deficiencies prior to graduation and to allow students sufficient time to clear such deficiencies.
Students who wish to have a maiden or other previous name added to their diploma must notify the Office of the University Registrar at least four months prior to graduation. Only the student's official full name according to her/his academic record will be printed on the diploma.
GRADUATION APPLICATION FEE
A nonrefundable graduation fee of $50 is charged for undergraduate and graduate degrees as student seeks. This fee will be charged to the student’s UTRGV online account. This fee is applied towards costs associated with processing of applications for graduation, auditing for degree completion, printing, packaging, and shipment of diplomas, as well as costs of facilities for Commencement ceremonies along with other related expenses. The fee is assessed to all students regardless of plans to participate in Commencement ceremonies.
DEGREE AUDIT AND GRADUATION CLEARANCE
Upon submission of a graduation application a preliminary degree audit will be completed to determine a student’s academic progress toward degree. Students will be notified of outstanding deficiencies prior to graduation and be provided with a deadline to clear such deficiencies. To remain a degree candidate for the semester graduation is planned, all degree program requirements must be met by the deadline published. A final degree audit will be processed upon posting of final semester grades to verify degree completion. Students unable to clear degree requirements by published deadline will be required to submit a Transfer Graduation Date form.
TRANSFER OF GRADUATION DATE
Degree candidates not clearing for graduation by the established deadline are required to submit a Transfer Graduation Date form to change their graduation application date to a future semester. This form is available online via Graduate College website for graduate students on the Ucentral website or counter for undergraduate students.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley holds commencement ceremonies in December and May.
All students participating in a commencement ceremony are required to purchase the proper graduation regalia from the University Bookstore. Students will not be permitted to participate without proper regalia. Students may participate in only one ceremony and are subject to requirements for eligibility to participate based on degree progression and outstanding requirements.
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence regarding graduation requirements, deficiencies, and commencement ceremonies will be disseminated in a timely manner throughout the final semester of a student's enrollment, via UTRGV student e-mail account. The Degree Audit Systems and Support Office (Degree Audit Team) will communicate information regarding graduation requirements, deficiencies, clearance for graduation, and all respective deadlines. Degree progression and outstanding requirements can be viewed in Degree Works via ASSIST. The Office of the University Registrar will communicate information regarding graduation and commencement ceremonies. UTRGV e-mail must be monitored regularly for related degree audit, graduation, and commencement ceremony correspondence. For timely delivery of diplomas, students must have a correct address on file with the Office of the University Registrar. Degree candidates will not receive special consideration for lack of knowledge of graduation requirements, deficiencies, or deadlines.
DIPLOMA
Students who wish to have a maiden or other previous name added to their diploma must notify the Office of the University Registrar at least four months prior to graduation. Only the student's official full name according to her/his academic record will be printed on the diploma.
UTRGV diplomas will only document the degree and major(s) earned; however, completion of approved minors, concentrations and certificates will be noted on the final, official transcript. For undergraduate students, the diploma will include the Latin honors designation including Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude.