Please read below for information on graduation and commencement.

First, you need to know the difference between GRADUATION and COMMENCEMENT!

Short version: Graduation is when you earn your degree, Commencement is when you celebrate your accomplishment! 

• 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 (Fall). Diplomas are NOT handed out at Commencement - they are mailed to students after grades are verified and will arrive approximately 8-12 weeks after the graduation date.
  • Which commencement will I attend?
    • Fall graduates participate in the December/Fall commencement ceremony.
    • Spring graduates participate in the May/Spring commencement ceremony.
    • Summer graduates* who are pending degrees can elect to walk in the ceremony before their graduation (May/Spring) or after their graduation (December/Fall).
      • 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 only appear in the December/Winter commencement program following their graduation.
      • PhD students have stricter rules on when they can participate in commencement. Refer to the Grad School for more information.

spring & Summer 2026

GRADUATION INFORMATION - SPRING/SUMMER 2026 Graduation

• Application Process
  • Undergraduate CHS students planning to graduate in Spring or Summer 2026 should complete the CHS Graduation Application online: https://utep.questionpro.com/CHSGradAppSPSU26. Once your response is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email.

• • • • • Deadline for SPRING 2026 Applications:  
          • February 20, 2026 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. Students must submit by this deadline to be considered for Commencement Honor Roles (Banner Bearers & Student Marshals).
          • April 17, 2026 is the final (late) deadline to apply if you want your name to appear in the official spring commencement program. 
        • Deadline for SUMMER 2026 Applications:  
          • July 20, 2026 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.
          • All Summer Graduates' names appear in the December Commencement Program, regardless of which graduation ceremony they attend.

• • • After the application:  
      • Your academic advisor will review your records and determine if you are on track to complete degree requirements by your intended graduation date. If you are not on track and need to make adjustments, your advisor will email you within 2 weeks* of your application to indicate issues that need to be resolved before approval - look out for this email and respond promptly!
        • *If you submit your Spring/Summer application by January 2, 2026, you will be notified of any concerns before spring classes start (January 20, 2026).
      • In mid-February, applications will start being processed through the registrar’s office.  After your graduation application has been processed, 2 things happen:

• • • • 1. RSVP for Commencement:
           • After your graduation application is processed by the registrar, you will receive an email invitation from graduation@utep.edu to the UTEP Commencement Ceremony. This email will be from "Marching Orders." You must RSVP to this invitation if you plan to attend!
        2. Pay Diploma Fee:
           • SPRING GRADUATES: The registrar's office will post your diploma fee ($35 for on-time, $50 for late) as soon as they have processed your application (starting mid-February)
           • SUMMER GRADUATES: The registrar's office will post your diploma fee ($35 for on-time, $50 for late) AFTER spring semester so that you can register for your summer classes.
           • Pay this fee the same way you pay tuition – online, in person at Mike Loya, etc. 
           • Students will not receive their diploma or be able to request official transcripts from UTEP until the diploma fee (plus as any other outstanding balance at UTEP) is paid.
•  
  • Degree Verification SPRING/SUMMER 2026:
    • SPRING 2026: After final grades are posted on May 21, the Director of the CHS Student Support Center will review your records and verify you have met all degree requirements.  
    • SUMMER 2026: After final grades are posted on August 9, the Director of the CHS Student Support Center will review your records and verify you have met all degree requirements.  
    •  If there are any issues that prevent you from graduating after grades are posted, you will receive an email from the Director of the CHS Student Support Center - Alondra Miranda. Make sure to keep checking your utep.edu email after graduation in case there are issues!
    • You will get an email from the graduation office after your degree is verified to confirm your diploma mailing address. Make sure to keep checking your utep.edu email until you have received the graduation office verification. 
    • TL;DR: Don't stop checking your utep.edu email until you have received your diploma in the mail. 

• GRADUATE DEGREE APPLICATION AND AWARDING - SPRING 2026
  • 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 https://www.utep.edu/graduate/forms.html - go to "Graduation" tab.
  • Graduate students must have their Spring 2026 application submitted and approved by the graduation deadline (February 20, 2026) to be considered for Spring Commencement Honors. Summer 2026 graduates are eligible for Spring Commencement Honors.
  • Verification: The graduate school verifies degrees after final grades are posted. 

Commencement Information - Spring 2026

All updates about the UTEP Commencement Ceremonies will be posted at https://www.utep.edu/commencement/.  

• Undergraduate and Graduate Students are invited to participate in the University Commencement Ceremony
  • The Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony that includes the College of Health Sciences will be Sunday, May 17 at 1 PM at the Don Haskins Center.  
  • 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 approved by the graduation office, you will receive an invitation from graduation@utep.edu to the UTEP Commencement Ceremony. This email will be from "Marching Orders." You must RSVP to this invitation if you plan to attend!
  • Regalia: You can purchase required graduation regalia (cap and gown) at Grad Fair (https://alumni.utep.edu/gradfair). You can also purchase your regalia after Grad Fair through the UTEP Bookstore.
  • Undergraduate students who are on track to earn Graduation Academic Honors (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Cum Laude) will get an email from the CHS SSC Director in April with information on picking up their Honor Cords.  Honor cords are provided by the College of Health Sciences Dean's Office as a gift to those who are on track to earn honors.

CHS Graduate Student Hooding Ceremony

• The Spring 2026 CHS Graduate Hooding Ceremony is Friday, May 15, 2026. 

Useful Links:

• Official UTEP Commencement Site
• Graduate School Graduation Information
• UTEP Alumni Association Grad Fair

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