Commencement ceremonies are the services held at the end of each Fall and Spring semester. These are ceremonies in which the achievement of the degree is recognized and celebrated by the University community and the students’ friends and family.

Graduation is the process of being awarded a degree. All students wishing to graduate must apply for graduation by the application deadline. Applying for graduation is a University Degree Requirement that must be met by each student wishing to graduate. If you do not apply for graduation, you have not met all your degree requirements. Learn more about Graduation and Graduation Application Deadlines on the Registrar website.

Dates and times vary from semester to semester. The December 2024 Commencement Ceremonies will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 at the Alamodome. The Doctoral Conferral Ceremony will be on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2024.

There is no fee for commencement participation. There is also no fee to apply for graduation.

There are fees for purchasing of academic regalia for students wishing to participate in commencement ceremonies. Check with Herff-Jones or the Campus Bookstore for price information.

No tickets are required to attend. There will be open seating for guests for the Alamodome ceremonies. The Doctoral Conferral Ceremony held at the UTSA Arts Building Recital Hall is limited to four (4) guests per graduate but tickets are not needed.

Only students who have applied for graduation are allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies.

Spring candidates participate in May; Fall candidates participate in December. Summer Bachelor's and Master's candidates have the option to participate in either May or December ceremonies but must meet application deadlines in order to participate. See application deadlines.

ATTENTION DOCTORAL STUDENTS

Doctoral students may participate in commencement ceremonies only after completing all requirements for graduation, including the successful defense of the dissertation and subsequent acknowledgement by the Graduate School of all required documentation. Summer Term graduates are welcome to participate in the December Commencement ceremony following their Summer Term graduation.

Students must participate in the ceremony slated for their college. If you have multiple majors, you may choose the ceremony in which you will participate, or you may participate in both ceremonies.

Yes, we understand circumstances may arise where you cannot attend your commencement ceremony. At the same time, alumni who graduated during the pandemic may want to return with their family and friends for a Commencement experience in the Alamodome.

Students who are interested in this option should submit a Petition to Defer Commencement to Graduation Coordination for consideration. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, students may wear their military uniform instead of the cap and gown.

No, there is no rehearsal for commencement.

All participants must wear academic regalia.

Caps, gowns and tassels are available during Grad Fest or at the Campus Bookstore.

Wear dark shoes, since dark accessories have a more favorable appearance with the formal academic wear.

The tassel is worn on the right side of the cap until the end of the commencement ceremony when graduates are instructed to shift the tassel to the left side.

It is recommended that you take your regalia out of the bag and place it on a hanger a few days before your ceremony in order to decrease the wrinkles.

You should arrive 2 hours prior to the ceremony in which you plan to attend.

Participants for the Doctoral Conferral Ceremony should arrive 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.

There is no limit to the number of guests you may invite, but there is a $20 fee for parking, per vehicle, at the Alamodome. This includes graduates. For graduates participating in the Doctoral Conferral Ceremony, guests are limited to four per graduate.

Parking is available at the Alamodome. For parking information, please visit the Alamodome website for information.

The Alamodome has specific safety procedures that must be followed, including a prohibition on large bags, posters, noisemakers, banners, signs and more. All guests will be subject to a bag check and security scan. All attendees should carefully review the Alamodome Safety Procedures.

No. Participation in a commencement ceremony does not imply or infer the awarding of a degree at the time of the commencement ceremony; a final degree audit must be completed before a degree is officially awarded.

Degrees are not officially awarded until after the commencement ceremonies. Diplomas are mailed approximately 60 days after the official close of the semester. Transcripts with degree information are available approximately 30 days after the close of the semester.

We continually evaluate the need for summer commencement. At this time there are no plans for summer commencement ceremonies since we accommodate summer candidates at the May and December Commencement ceremonies.

A reserved seating section for deaf or hard of hearing guests requiring sign language interpreting services will be available near the southwest corner of the stage.

All Alamodome restrooms are accessible for guests with disabilities. All restrooms are identified by signage with the handicap symbol.

Starting in Fall 2024, UTSA will be partnering with MarchingOrder, a leading software solution for managing graduation ceremonies. This new system will enhance your commencement experience, making registration easier and more efficient.

We invite all graduates to confirm their participation and complete their MarchingOrder profile by the specified deadline. This helps UTSA plan a memorable experience for both graduates and guests.

Graduates who have applied for graduation on or before the application deadline can register to attend the commencement experience and complete their MarchingOrder profile by Nov. 19, 2024.

Students who respond after Nov.19 can still join the commencement experience but may have limited or no personal ceremony details.

Check your inbox for important emails with details on how to register for your commencement ceremony through MarchingOrder.

We encourage you to find your MarchingOrder email and click the "Set Password Here" link to RSVP.

Graduates who fill complete their profile can do the following:

• Personalized Commencement Experience: MarchingOrder allows students to customize and record their name, ensuring the personal details are pronounced correctly during the ceremony. This adds a personal touch and reduces anxiety about mispronunciation in such a significant moment.
• Streamlined Check-in Process: Students benefit from a more organized and efficient check-in for commencement with a “Grad Pass.” Additional details will be sent closer to event date.
• Digital Name Cards and QR Codes: Students are provided with a digital name card or “Grad Pass,” which will be scanned on stage. This ensures their names are displayed accurately on screens and read aloud at the right time, creating a seamless and polished experience.

 Once graduates complete their profile, they will receive important emails with event details as the commencement ceremony date approaches. Please check your email regularly to stay informed.

You can go to our MarchingOrder website, click on "New User" and use your UTSA email to set up your password.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Graduation Coordination Office via email at graduationcoordination@utsa.edu.