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Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
The Doctoral Hooding Ceremony is a distinguished event hosted by the UTRGV Graduate College to honor the academic achievements of graduating doctoral students. Held each fall and spring semester, this in-person ceremony celebrates the culmination of years of research, dedication, and scholarly excellence. Doctoral candidates are formally hooded by their dissertation chair or faculty designee in front of family, friends, and the university community.
This ceremony serves to recognize and celebrate the academic work and contributions of our doctoral graduates across a range of disciplines. It also highlights our ongoing commitment to supporting graduate student success and advancing UTRGV's mission as a community-empowering research university.
Invitations with event details and RSVP instructions are sent directly to eligible students and their faculty advisors. This milestone event marks a significant transition in the academic and professional lives of our graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Doctoral Hooding Ceremony is a special event celebrating students who have completed their doctoral degrees. It symbolizes the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next. During the ceremony, students hand their hood to their dissertation chair, who then places it over their head, symbolizing their success in finishing their degree. Everyone wears academic attire, similar to graduation.
Even though the original reason for hoods, to keep monks' heads warm in the 15th century, is no longer relevant, they still hold sentimental value as part of the Commencement attire.
Commencement is a graduation ceremony for all graduates of UTRGV, including undergraduates, master's, and doctoral students, from all programs. The degrees are conferred during the ceremony.
The Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, scheduled before the Commencement Ceremony, is specifically for doctoral students who have completed all requirements for their degree, including the dissertation. It's an additional celebration and doesn't replace the Commencement Ceremony.
Yes, the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony is by invitation only, and you must RSVP. An email invitation will be sent to all eligible doctoral students. If you have any questions, please contact us at gradcollege@utrgv.edu.
No, doctoral candidates must have a 100% complete dissertation or will not be eligible to attend. Doctoral candidates graduating in the Summer will be invited to the December Doctoral Hooding Ceremony.
No. Currently, we cannot extend an invitation to a future Doctoral Hooding Ceremony (DHC).
Each doctoral student is permitted 8 guests, and tickets are not required for the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. If you need accommodation for more guests, please email us at gradcollege@utrgv.edu.
All doctoral students are expected to arrive by 6:10 p.m. Guests are welcome to arrive starting at 5:45 p.m. and are asked to be seated by 6:20 p.m.
Depending on the number of registered attendees, the ceremony is expected to last at least 60 minutes.
Any items left at doctoral candidates’ check-in are not secure. It is recommended that you leave any valuable personal items with a family member or friend.