Graduate Graduation Requirements
APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION
Students eligible to apply for graduation must submit a Graduation Application via ASSIST by the established deadline published in the University Calendar.
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 his/her 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.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS AND OTHER DEGREE OPTIONS
Students must be enrolled in the semester in which they complete their exit option. The comprehensive exam may not be scheduled prior to the student’s final semester of coursework or the student’s completion of required core courses. The purpose of the comprehensive exam is to evaluate the student’s mastery of the field(s) of study. The method and procedure for examination must be specified on the student’s program of study. The academic department prepares, administers and grades the comprehensive exam. The Graduate College notifies students when they have been cleared to take the exam and informs exam takers of the results.
Results of the comprehensive exam will be one of the following:
• PASS with recommendation that candidate be cleared to receive the degree
• FAIL stipulating conditions that must be met before the candidate is eligible to take the exam a second time.
Colleges/programs will determine the policy regarding repeating the comprehensive exam or exit options in the event of a failing grade. A review period of not less than 90 days or more than 1 year after the student is notified of the results of the first exam is required before a second exam may be completed. Conditions for a second exam may be imposed by the faculty advisor or department chair.
After retaking the exam and earning a second grade of FAIL, the program may recommend that the candidate be dismissed from the program.
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. In order 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.
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. The Office of the University Registrar will communicate information regarding graduation and commencement ceremonies. UTRGV email 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.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley holds commencement ceremonies in December and May (Fall and Spring Commencement). 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.
DIPLOMA LANGUAGE
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 his/her academic record will be printed on the diploma.
CATALOG OF GRADUATION
The degree requirements that must be completed for graduation will be those in effect at the time of the student’s entrance or those provided in a subsequent catalog. In any case, the catalog used to determine the degree requirements must not be more than 7 years old for students seeking a master’s degree and 10 years old for students seeking a doctoral degree.
Any changes in the degree plan to comply with a later catalog must be approved by the department chair and the Dean of the College.