Commencement events are the congratulatory ceremonies hosted by university officials
in which degree candidates (students who have applied to graduate at the end of their
final semester) are publicly and formally recognized for their accomplishments as
members of an academic community.
Graduation is the process of being awarded a degree after successfully completing
credit hours and other degree requirements. Actual diplomas are not awarded at Commencement
ceremonies and participation in the ceremonies is not a guarantee of degree completion.
Electronic correspondence regarding graduation and Commencement is sent only to degree
candidate TU email accounts. Degree candidates are responsible for information sent
to them via their TU email.
CHECKLIST FOR degree candidates
1. Apply for Graduation
You must complete all of your degree requirements in order to apply for graduation
and participate in Commencement. You must submit an official Graduation Application through the “Student Center.” The
deadline and instructions for applying can be found on Applying to Graduate.
Note: If you apply for graduation after the stated deadline, your name may not appear
in the Commencement program.
2. Register for Commencement
Attending your academic college's Commencement ceremony is an optional activity. If
you choose to participate in your ceremony, you must register your attendance online
to ensure your seat and the availability of guest tickets. The registration site will open approximately 10 weeks before the ceremonies and eligible
candidates will receive an email with registration instructions. As a reminder, only degree candidates who have been approved for graduation by the
Graduation Office are permitted to register for Commencement.
Note: The Commencement registration site for Spring 2019 ceremonies will open on March
8. Students will be sent an email with instructions. The deadline to submit a registration
is April 22.
3. Purchase Regalia
After you have successfully registered for Commencement, you may purchase a cap and
gown. After submitting your registration form, you will be sent a unique link to order
your regalia online. You can elect to pick up your regalia at TU Grad Fair or have
your order shipped to your home address. Failure to purchase regalia (or to seek approval from the University Store to use
regalia borrowed from a prior semester's graduate) will lead to cancellation of your
commencement registration and you will be ineligible to participate in a ceremony
and receive ceremony tickets. See Ceremony Attire for additional information.
Only degree candidates who have registered for Commencement are permitted to obtain a cap and gown. The deadline to order a cap and gown is April 22.
Special Note: The deadline for doctoral students to rent regalia is April 6. If you
plan to purchase a custom doctoral gown and tam, the deadline to place your order
is March 15. Your hood will provided to you by the Office of Graduate Studies.
4. Attend TU Grad Fair
TU Grad Fair is a fun and celebratory event that provides graduating students and/or
their family members the opportunity to order graduation merchandise like announcements,
class rings, and diploma frames; connect with campus resources for graduating students,
socialize with Doc and fellow degree candidates, win prizes and grab a snack.
Grad Fair will be held on Apr. 4 and Apr. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the University Union.
5. Access Tickets
If you successfully registered for Commencement, you are guaranteed a predetermined
amount of tickets for your guests that will be available in early May. Dates and instructions
for accessing tickets can be found on Tickets. Only degree candidates who have registered for Commencement and purchased a cap and
gown by the deadline will be able to access and print ceremony tickets.
Note: Please remember to print and give your guests their tickets in advance of the
ceremonies. As a reminder, all guests (including infants and children as required
by the Fire Marshal) will need a ticket to attend, so please plan accordingly.
6. Prepare for Ceremony Day
Read the Commencement Day Guide to learn what you should expect before, during and after the ceremony.
I am a degree candidate who will need a disability accommodation during my ceremony.
Who should I contact?
If you are a candidate with a disability who will require accommodation at the ceremony,
please specify this when completing your commencement registration form. A university representative will follow-up to your request via email.
Can I attend two ceremonies if I complete double majors?
No. Candidates who complete double majors may select one preferred ceremony to participate
in Commencement. To provide space for all degree candidates who are eligible to attend
a Commencement ceremony, undergraduate candidates completing double majors are not
permitted to participate in two ceremonies.
Why can't my name be added to the Commencement program if I submit my graduation application
after the deadline?
The deadlines to apply for graduation are well-publicized by the Graduation Office. While graduation applications are processed
after the deadline, only those degree candidates who apply prior to the stated deadline(s)
are guaranteed to have their names published in the Commencement program due to the
lengthy proofing and printing processes.
How do I receive my parking permit and where do I park?
The university will mail a parking permit for Lots 13/14 (located outside Johnny Unitas Stadium) to each degree candidate approximately 3
weeks before the ceremony. It is the degree candidate's responsibility to ensure that
the mailing address provided when registering for Commencement is accurate as this
address will be used to mail the parking pass.
What do I need to know for the day of my ceremony?
How will I receive my diploma?
Diplomas will be mailed to your permanent address on file. Please be sure to go to your Student Center to ensure that the permanent address on file is accurate. You may check with the
Graduation Office for information about the diploma mailing schedules.
