Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

Graduate College Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Performing Arts Complex (Edinburg Campus)

The Graduate College Doctoral Hooding Ceremony is a special event dedicated to honoring our doctoral student graduates. During the event, the doctoral candidate will be individually announced, their dissertation title displayed, and ceremoniously hooded by their dissertation chair, co-chair, or a committee member. For more detailed information, please refer to the details provided below. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact our team at gradcollege@utrgv.edu.

Eligibility

Doctoral candidates will be eligible to participate in the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony only when the following requirements are met:

Submission of the final dissertation manuscript by posted deadline.
Successful dissertation defense.
Completion and submission of the Certification of Dissertation Completion Form.
Completion of the Survey of Earned Doctorates.

Graduation Term	Hooding Ceremony
Spring	May
Summer	December
Fall	December

Doctoral Regalia
Candidates can order doctoral regalia at the UTRGV Bookstore.

Photography
A professional photographer will not only capture doctoral candidates as they are being hooded but will also take their photos with faculty, deans, and family members. Our team will send the photos (free of charge) to graduates as soon as we receive them from the photographer.

Reception
A light reception will follow the ceremony.

Parking
Lot E19

Program
Spring 2025 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony Program

FAQs

What is Doctoral Hooding?
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.

What is the difference between the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony and Commencement?
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.

I RSVP’d for Commencement, is there a separate invite for the Doctoral Hooding 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.

I RSVP’d for Commencement but will be graduating in the Summer. Can I attend the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony before I complete my dissertation?
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.

If I cannot attend in May, can I attend in December?
No. Currently, we cannot extend an invitation to a future Doctoral Hooding Ceremony (DHC).

How many people can I bring to the Doctoral Hooding ceremony?
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.

The ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m., what time do I need to arrive?
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.

How long is the ceremony?
Depending on the number of registered attendees, the ceremony is expected to last at least 60 minutes.

Is there somewhere I can leave my personal items during the ceremony?
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.