Graduating Students
Applying for Graduation
During your last semester as a graduate student, you must apply to graduate, in addition to completing other required steps. Students must contact their academic department to request to be made eligible to apply for graduation.
You must apply to graduate within the deadlines stated in the academic calendar for a given semester. The graduation application form is valid for one semester only; a new application must be submitted if your semester of graduation changes.
For more complete details pertaining to graduation procedures, see “Policy on Procedures for Completing a Graduate Degree – UTDPP1052”. For any other questions, please contact your department.
Deadlines
Academic Calendar
The official UT Dallas academic calendar is published by the Office of the Registrar. Consult the academic calendar for important dates, such as fee payment, registration dates, exam schedules, University holidays and special events.
Deadlines for Master’s & PhD Students
In addition to deadlines stated on the academic calendar, master’s thesis and PhD students have additional deadlines they must abide by and keep in mind as they prepare for graduation.
Graduation Deadlines
Important deadlines for graduation and commencement ceremonies.
Department Deadlines
Departments may have additional requirements. Please consult with your academic department regarding any department-specific deadlines.
Doctoral Dissertation/Master’s Thesis
Candidates writing a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation should prepare their document in accordance with the dissertation and thesis guidelines.
Ceremonies
Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
This event is different and separate from the University Commencement ceremony. Doctoral Hooding, doctoral candidates are celebrated and hooded by their supervising professor and the graduate dean. Diplomas are only distributed in the summer ceremony since there is no commencement in the summer.
Doctoral candidates are highly encouraged to attend both the Hooding Ceremony and University Commencement to celebrate their achievements. Any questions regarding the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony should be directed to the Office of Graduate Education.
School-based Commencement Ceremonies
School commencement ceremonies are held at the conclusion of each spring and fall semester. In these ceremonies, both undergraduate and graduate candidates are celebrated and officially graduate with a degree, given that the students have met all requirements and their degree is conferred. Questions should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.
University Commencement
University Commencement is UT Dallas’ campus-wide celebration, which kicks off a week of School Graduation Ceremonies. The event includes a grand procession, commencement address, presentation of graduates by the deans, ceremonial conferring of degrees by the president, entertainment, a cosmic light show and an after-party.
| Ceremony | Who | When | What | How to RSVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Hooding Ceremony | Only Doctoral Candidates (Phd, AuD) | Spring, Summer, Fall | Each Doctoral Candidates is called on stage and hooded by their supervising professor/graduate dean. Diplomas awarded in summer. | RSVP link send from the Office of Graduate Education |
| School-Based Commencement Ceremonies | Undergraduate and Graduate | Spring and Fall | Each candidate is called on stage and awarded their degree. Diplomas awarded in spring and fall. | RSVP through Galaxy |
| University Commencement | Undergraduate and Graduate | Spring | All candidates from the past year. Celebration and ceremonial conferring of degrees. No diplomas awarded. | RSVP through Galaxy |