Graduation Information

Please read below for information on graduation and commencement.

• GRADUATION occurs when your degree is awarded after you have completed all of your courses and degree requirements. Graduation can be at the end of Fall, Spring, or Summer semester, depending on when you finish your courses.  After you have graduated and your degree is verified, your diploma will be sent to you through the mail.
• COMMENCEMENT is the ceremony when students walk across the stage* in cap and gown to celebrate graduation. Commencement ceremonies are held each May (Spring) and December (Winter).   Diplomas are NOT handed out at Commencement.
  • Fall graduates participate in the December/Winter commencement ceremony.
  • Spring graduates participate in the May/Spring commencement ceremony.
  • Summer graduates can elect to walk in the ceremony before their graduation (May/Spring) or after their graduation (December/Winter).  Summer graduates are the only students who can "choose" which ceremony they wish to participate in, because there is no ceremony in August/Summer.  Per university policy, summer graduate names will only appear in the December/Winter commencement program.
  • *This applies to times in which the University is operating in normal function.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Commencement Ceremonies may be altered in format to ensure safety.

GRADUATION INFORMATION - Spring and Summer 2021 Graduation

• UNDERGRADUATES
  • Application Process:  
    • Undergraduate CHS students wishing to apply for Spring or Summer 2021 graduation should complete the application online at this link.  Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email.
      • • Deadline for Spring 2020 Applications:  
          • February 19 is the “on time” deadline. Applications submitted by this date will be assessed a diploma fee of $35.  The fee increases to $50 for applications submitted after this date.
          • April 16 is the final (late) deadline to apply if you want your name to appear in the official commencement program.
        • Deadline for Summer 2021 Applications:  
          • July 16 is the “on time” deadline. Applications submitted by this date will be assessed a diploma fee of $35.  The fee increases to $50 for applications submitted after this date.
          • If you wish to walk in the May Commencement Ceremony, you should apply for graduation by April so you can be invited to the ceremony.
          • Summer Graduates' names will only appear in the December commencement program.
  • After the application:  
    • We review your records to ensure you are on track to complete degree requirements by your intended graduation date.  
      • We will contact you as soon as possible via your official University email if there are any issues or problems with your application. Make sure to check your miners email! 
      • If there are no problems with your applications, your next contact will be the a confirmation email from the Assistant Dean (see next section).
    • Starting mid-February, the application will be processed through the registrar’s office. At this point, you will get an email from the Assistant Dean confirming your application and you will see the Diploma Fee ($35 for on-time; $50 for late) posted to your student account.  Pay this fee the same way you pay tuition – online, in person at Mike Loya, etc. 
  • Degree Verification:
    • After final grades are posted, the Assistant Dean will review your records and verify you have met all degree requirements.  
    • You will get an email from the graduation office after your degree is verified to confirm your diploma mailing address.  
    • If there are any issues after grades are posted, you will get an email from the Assistant Dean.  Make sure to keep checking your email until you have received the graduation office verification!
• GRADUATE STUDENTS
  • Graduate CHS students wishing to apply for graduation should refer to the Graduate School Website for information on applications and deadlines.  
  • Process:  Graduate applications for degree are completed online for Spring and Summer 2021.
  • Application Deadlines for Spring 2021:
    • February 19 is the “on time” deadline. Applications submitted by this date will be assessed a diploma fee of $35.  The fee increases to $50 for applications submitted after this date.
    • April 16 is the final (late) deadline to apply if you want your name to appear in the official commencement program.
  • Verification:  The graduate school verifies degrees after final grades are posted.

COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

• UNDERGRADUATES & GRADUATE STUDENTS:
  • Are invited to participate in the University Commencement Ceremony
  • All information and updates about the University Commencement Ceremonies can be found on the UTEP Commencement Website at https://www.utep.edu/commencement/. 
  • After your graduation application is submitted to the graduation office, you will receive an invitation from graduation@utep.edu to the UTEP Commencement Ceremony.  You must RSVP to this invitation if you plan to attend!
  • The tentative dates for Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremony is May 14-15, 2021.  
  • Regalia:  You can purchase required graduation regalia (cap and gown) at Grad Fair (dates and information will be posted at https://alumni.utep.edu/commencementcorner) or through the University Bookstore.
    
    
• GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY:
  • All CHS graduate students are invited to the CHS Hooding Ceremony.  At this ceremony, masters candidates are hooded by their faculty and doctoral students are presented with their faculty.  Doctoral students are hooded at the University Commencement Ceremony.  
  • Due to the pandemic, the College-wide hooding ceremonies did not occur for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2020 graduates.  Instead, each individual department was invited to host their own virtual ceremony or celebration for graduate students.
  • The specific date, time, and format of future CHS Hooding Ceremonies will be determined based on university safety recommendations.
  • You will receive a separate invitation to the CHS Hooding Ceremony.  Please RSVP to this invitation if you plan to attend the Hooding Ceremony.

Useful Links:

• UTEP Commencement Site:  https://www.utep.edu/commencement/
• UTEP Alumni Association Commencement Corner:  https://alumni.utep.edu/commencementcorner
• Graduate School Graduation Information

Please contact the CHS Student Support Center at studentsupportcenter@utep.edu with any questions related to CHS Graduation or the CHS Hooding Ceremony.