Guide to Graduation
Application For Degree
All students who intend to receive a degree from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley must complete a graduation application available online on ASSIST through myUTRGV by the published deadline in the University Calendar. That deadline is normally nine months prior to the intended date of graduation. Applications received after the deadline will be processed for the next available graduation date. These deadlines are necessary in order for prospective graduates to be notified of any deficiencies in time to register for the appropriate coursework.
Graduation Fee
A nonrefundable graduation fee of $32 is charged for undergraduate and graduate degrees. The graduation fee is payable online on ASSIST through myUTRGV or at the Bursar’s office inside U Central. The fee is used to pay for the processing of applications for graduation, postage, diplomas and other expenses associated with graduation, as well as music, graduation speakers, and other logistics associated with the commencement ceremony.
Transfer of Graduation Date
Prospective graduates who have submitted their Application for graduation and do not meet graduation requirements for that graduation date must "transfer" their application to a later graduation date. Students may fill out the Request for Change of Graduation Date Form, and submit to U Central or return via email to graduation@utrgv.edu.
Commencement Exercises
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 Fall and Spring semester, students should plan to participate in the ceremony that coincides with the completion of all degree requirements. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley confers degrees at the close of each semester/term. Commencement exercises are scheduled for December and May. Summer degree completion candidates within 6 hours of graduating and enrolled in those classes for summer will be allowed to participate in the May commencement ceremonies all others may attend the December ceremonies.
Regalia (Cap and Gown)
All students participating in the commencement ceremony are required to purchase the proper graduation regalia from the University Bookstore. No student will be permitted to participate in the commencement ceremony without the proper regalia. Academic regalia may be adorned with stoles, ribbons, and other decoration associated with the student’s experience at UTRGV. Adornment must be tasteful, and inappropriate embellishments must be removed at the request of university officials leading commencement.
Diplomas
Diploma tubes will be handed out on stage during the ceremony. Official diplomas will mailed out by the Registrar’s Office for certified degrees after commencement. Diplomas will be mailed to your mailing address, please log on to ASSIST to ensure this address is up to date. Diploma tubes will only be given to candidates participating in the commencement ceremony and are not available for purchase.
Diplomas returned in the mail will be destroyed. If you have any questions or have not received notification of your graduation status, please contact the Office of the Registrar at graduation@utrgv.edu.
Correspondence
In order to ensure that information regarding graduation requirements, deficiencies, and commencement exercises are received on a timely basis, all correspondence is sent to your assigned UTRGV email account. Prospective graduates will not receive special consideration for lack of knowledge of graduation requirements, deficiencies, or deadlines.
Honors
Upon graduation, a student receiving a bachelor's degree is listed with "Honors" based on accordance with the following standards based on his or her final Institutional GPA:
- Summa Cum Laude GPA of 3.9 to 4.0
- Magna Cum Laude GPA of 3.7 to 3.89
- Cum Laude GPA of 3.5 to 3.69
Honors are listed in the graduation program based on the student's Institutional GPA prior to completion of his or her last semester of coursework, and does not guarantee graduation with honors upon calculation of the overall Institutional GPA after the student's last semester has been completed.
Services for Graduates with Disabilities
Special services are available to accommodate the needs of degree candidates with disabilities who will be participating in the commencement ceremony. To request a wheelchair lift for access to the stage, call a number below at least 5 business days before the ceremony. If you have a disability or a health concern and need assistance to participate in the ceremony or require a sign language interpreter, please contact Tonya Paulette, 956-665-7005 or Steve Wilder, 956-882-7374 as soon as possible.