Graduation
The School of Urban and Public Affairs has two graduation ceremonies each year: Fall (December) and Spring (May). The Graduate Schools confers degrees in August but there is no ceremony. Check SUPA Main Event Calendar for upcoming Graduations Dates.
Graduation is held in Texas Hall and is open to the families and friends of the graduates on a space available basis. The event is free, but every guest must have a ticket to enter Texas Hall. Tickets will be distributed two to three weeks before the graduation ceremony. The ceremony generally last one to one and half hours.
Graduation Check List:
The semester before you plan to graduate:
1. Contact advisor to ensure that all courses have been completed and to schedule dissertation, thesis or project report defense/presentation. Students taking a comprehensive exam must contact the advisor for dates and times of exam.
Dissertation, thesis or project report must be signed off by the committee and sent to the Graduate School. Please check the Graduate School Calendar for submittal deadlines.
2. Complete an Application For Graduation for Masters and Ph.D Candidates Only. This application and application fee must be submitted to the Graduate School in Davis Hall before the deadline. See Graduate School Calendar for the deadlines.
All undergraduate INTS majors should contact the INTS Department at 817.272.2338.
During the semester in which you are graduating:
A. 2 months before graduation purchase your graduation regalia (cap, gown and tassel)
at the:
UTA Bookstore
400 South Pecan Street
817.272.2785
(Be sure to make sure that the gown fits before you walk out of the Bookstore)
B. Complete Commencement Attendance Form
All undergraduate INTS majors should contact the INTS Department at 817.272.2338.
The official UTA commencement announcement and invitations are available only through Jostens at the Bookstore. If you are interested in ordering invitations please allow for processing and delivery.
C. Tickets will be available two to three weeks before the day of graduation. All guests, including children, will need tickets to attend the ceremony. Ten (10) tickets will be given to each graduate. Tickets will be mailed with the graduation instruction letter. Additional tickets will be made available on a first come, first serve basis per the instruction letter.
Day of Graduation Notes and Procedures:
We urge students to leave purses or valuables at home or arrange for someone to keep personal belongings, as we cannot be responsible for items left unattended.
Dress for this event is business attire. We recommend that men wear a white shirt, dark tie, dark pants, and dark shoes. We recommend that women wear a dark colored dress or a dark colored pantsuit with dark shoes. Also, women should bring bobby pins to hold the graduation cap in place, if necessary.
Tassels on caps are to be worn on the right side during the processional and the ceremony. Masters students will drape their hood over the right forearm and hooding will take place on the stage. After the degrees are conferred, students will be asked as a group, to move the tassel from the right to the left.
Seating for your guests will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests must enter through the front entrance (facing Cooper Street) of Texas Hall. Remember all guest must have a ticket.
Assemble For Processional:
1. Graduates will enter through the rear doors of Texas Hall.
2. Plan to arrive at Texas Hall 1 hour before the ceremony begins. It is imperative that you be on time, as graduates will be assigned numbers for line-up. Name cards will be distributed to all graduates upon arrival. Instructions regarding the procession and acceptance of diplomas will be given at this time.
Photographer:
A photographer will be stationed on the floor at the base of the stage. He/she will be taking photos as students accept the diploma and shake hands with the Dean. Photos will also be taken when Masters students are hooded. The photographer will use the numbered name cards to match up the proofs with the students name and address, so he can mail them to you. For this reason, it is important to stay in order and make sure the contact information on the card is correct. Also, remember to pause and give the photographer full view of your face when photos are being taken.
Diplomas will either be mailed or be ready fo pick up 4 to 6 weeks after the ceremony. Contact the Graduate School if you experience a delay 817.272.2688.