Preparing For Graduation

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements that must be completed for graduation will be those in effect at the time of a student's entrance or those provided in a subsequent catalog. In any case, the catalog used to determine the degree requirements must not be more than seven years old for students seeking a master’s degree and ten years old for students seeking a doctoral degree. In order to graduate, a cumulative 3.0 GPA is required for master’s students and a 3.25 cumulative GPA for doctoral students.

Completing the required coursework is an important step toward earning your degree, but it is not the only requirement. Depending on the program, you may be required to fulfill additional requirements such as a comprehensive exam, portfolio, publication, thesis, capstone project, or other program-specific requirements.

Applying for Graduation

Graduation applications are available via ASSIST for students who are eligible for graduation. The fee for graduation is $50 and is added to your my.utrgv.edu account. For more information on the graduation application process and to review graduation application deadlines, visit the Graduation Information page or contact gradcertification@utrgv.edu.

Commencement & Regalia

UTRGV offers Commencement Ceremonies at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters only. Students that have 6 hours or less left to complete their degrees during the summer terms are allowed to participate in the May commencement if requested. If not, they will be able to participate in the December commencement ceremony. For more information on commencement, please visit www.utrgv.edu/graduation.

All students participating in the commencement exercises are required to purchase or rent the appropriate regalia from the University Bookstore. Doctoral students will participate in the hooding process as outlined in the graduate catalog. For more information visit bkstr.com/utrgvstore.

Thesis/Dissertation

Students in a degree that requires a Thesis or Dissertation need to be enrolled in at least 6 hours of consecutive Thesis/Dissertation courses (except in the summer terms).

Please be sure to read the Thesis or Dissertation Manual in its entirety, as it is the best formatting guide available. An application of a Thesis or Dissertation Committee must be submitted when a committee has been selected. If there is a change of committee member(s) at any time, a Change of Committee form must be submitted. Lastly, a Certification of Completion of Thesis or Dissertation form must be submitted immediately after a successful defense. These forms can be sent to etd@utrgv.edu. In order to meet graduation requirements, students must meet all published deadlines.

Every Fall and Spring semester, the Graduate College offers a workshop dedicated to Thesis/ Dissertations. You can find the forms, deadlines, manuals, formatting guide, and other information at utrgv.edu/grad.