KGMCA Commencement: Celebrating Our Graduates
Tickets are required for all University Commencement ceremonies. Each graduating student will receive an email with a link to download six (6) complimentary electronic tickets closer to the ceremony date. Graduates themselves do not need a ticket. Children age 2 and under also do not require a ticket.
- Please note: Commencement tickets are free of charge. The selling or reselling of tickets is strictly prohibited. Be cautious of anyone offering tickets for sale.
- Ticket information is available on the UH Commencement website.
Venue & Entry
- Parking available at the Welcome Center garage (next to the Hilton Hotel & College) and other locations shown on the Parking Map
Accessibility
- Limited special seating available.
- Guests needing accommodations should arrive 1.5 hours early (30 minutes before doors open).
- To reserve seats, email the Cullen Performance Hall staff.
- Only one accompanying guest is allowed in the reserved seating area to maximize availability.
- Graduating students with accessibility needs: see “What to Expect on Commencement Day.”
Photography
- Guests may bring cameras/video but must remain seated during the ceremony.
- No standing in aisles or going onto the floor.
- Family photos are encouraged before or after the ceremony at home or around campus.
- A professional photographer (Flash Photography) will take individual photos during the ceremony.
- Proofs are emailed to the student using the email address on their ceremony name card.
- If you don’t receive proofs within 30 days, contact Flash Photography at 800-410-8070.
Graduation Candidates
Applying to Graduate
Students must apply for graduation through their student account to be considered for their degree. Students should adhere to the academic calendar and apply for graduation by the published deadlines*. Applying for graduation and/or participating in Commencement does not guarantee the degree will be approved. Conferral of degree is contingent upon successful completion of all coursework and degree requirements, regardless of attendance at graduation events. Students are assessed the application fee(s) for each application they submit and for each degree they are seeking.
Notes:
*Students who apply AFTER the late graduation application deadline will NOT be permitted to participate in Commencement.
**All Summer College of the Arts graduates will participate in the Fall Commencement ceremony in December.
Printed University Commencement Program
We make every effort to ensure that all graduating students who applied on time are listed in the Commencement program.
If you apply for graduation during the LATE application period your name WILL NOT be listed in the Commencement program.
Please also be aware of the following information:
If at any time you have requested privacy protection for your academic records, your name cannot be published in the program by law unless you have indicated on your application for graduation that you desire your name be included in the program.
Although your name might not be included in the printed program, you will still be individually recognized by name as you cross the stage.
Invitations
Students can order personalized invitations and announcements from Herff-Jones Company, the authorized vendor for the University of Houston.
Cougar Spirit Cord
Don’t be left out at graduation! Give to the University of Houston and get your Cougar Spirit Cord today!
The Cougar Spirit Cord is a symbol of your pride and a way to help make more scholarships available to next year’s students or show support for a program that’s made a difference in your UH experience.
Make a minimum donation of $15 or in the amount of your graduation year ($20.25) to any Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts department or program of your choice and wear the cord at Commencement to show your Cougar Pride!
What to Expect on Commencement Day
University Commencement for the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts Ceremony
The ceremony starts at 2:00 p.m.
Check-in and Processional line-up of graduates starts at 1:00 p.m.
The closer it is to the starting time of the ceremony, parking becomes more challenging and will take more time to go through the process to get in line. Please plan for enough time to travel and arrive safely.
DO NOT BRING any purses, bags, umbrellas, etc. There is no storage space (secure or otherwise) for you to leave your personal belongings.
Where to Check-in: Students should come directly to the E. Cullen Building lobby (Enter through the doors adjacent to the Cullen Family Fountain and cougar statues.) Family and guests should not arrive to the graduates check-in area. They should go directly to the Cullen Performance Hall entrance.
Name Cards: Upon entering the check-in area, report to the table identified with your major/department to pick up your graduation name card. Do not lose this card — You will need to present it during the ceremony before processing across the stage!
Recognition of Graduates and Candidates: Recognition will proceed in department alphabetical order. Each graduate will be announced starting with doctoral, then master’s, then bachelor’s candidates.
As you approach the edge of the stage:
Give your name card to the person collecting the cards.
Process across the stage to shake hands with the Dean of Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts Commencement and chairperson of your department.
Continue to behind stage where you will have your picture taken by a professional photographer.
Go back to be seated. Please note, this will probably not be the same seat you had before crossing the stage. Do not bring/leave any valuables at your seat.
Remain seated until all students have been recognized. (You will not be allowed to leave the ceremony early. Please be respectful of all participants in the ceremony.)
Follow the person in front of you when the recessional begins.
The line should be continuous. Staff will direct candidates to the stage, a few rows at a time. Many people have volunteered to help direct this special event. Just follow their instructions, watch the person in front of you and enjoy family members, friends, cheering, clapping and flashing cameras. Have a great time!
If you are a graduate with accessibility needs, please email the kgmgrad@central.uh.edu at least 2 weeks in advance of the ceremony should you need assistance with the processional or the graduate recognition.
Academic Regalia
Academic regalia (the traditional black mortarboard cap and black gown) are required for all graduates participating in university Commencement ceremonies. The University of Houston has selected Official UH Regalia for undergraduates and master’s degrees candidates. We strongly encourage you to pre-order your regalia in advance through the following website: Herff Jones Company. Students are encouraged to pre-order regalia through the website by the published deadline. Students not attired in appropriate regalia will not be allowed to participate in Commencement. Students will only be able to obtain regalia through the UH Campus Bookstore after the online pre-order period has ended.
Bachelor graduates and candidates:
Must wear the appropriate black Commencement gown and black mortarboard cap with approved UH tassel.
Must wear tassel on the right side of the mortarboard.
Master graduates and candidates:
Must wear the appropriate black Commencement gown and black mortarboard cap with approved UH tassel.
Must also rent and wear the appropriate hood.
Must wear tassel on the left side of the mortarboard.
Doctoral graduates and candidates:
Must bring the appropriate black Commencement gown and black tam with approved UH tassel.
Must bring the appropriate hood with you.
Hooding will take place during the Commencement ceremony. Students will line-up with their faculty advisor and will be able to rehearse hooding during check-in and line-up. Please make sure to notify your faculty advisor about the ceremony in advance to ensure they are able to attend and that they have the appropriate regalia to wear.
REGALIA COLORS FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS:
| Degree | Tassel | Hoods |
|---|---|---|
| Baccalaureate | Brown | None |
| Master (Art, Arts Leadership, Theatre & Dance) | Brown | Brown |
| Master (Music) | Brown | Pink |
| Doctoral | Red | Pink |
Baccalaureate Candidates Graduating with Honors
Once the current semester has officially closed and all grades have been posted, your honors status will be updated accordingly and will be engraved upon your diploma.
Undergraduate students who have completed the graduation requirements of the Honors
College Commencement may graduate with special honors designations. Please see your
advisor in the Honors College for more information.
Undergraduate students who successfully complete a senior honors thesis/project and
who are not members of the Honors College Commencement graduate with ”Honors in Major.”
Undergraduate students who complete their degree requirements will graduate with the stated academic honors if they achieve the following grade point averages earned in the last fifty-four (54) hours (all of which must be A, B, C, letter grade courses) completed at the University of Houston. Grades of S, U, I and W are not assigned grade point values and are not used in the computation of the grade point average.
| GPA Range | Honors Designation |
|---|---|
| 3.90 to 4.0 GPA | Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors) |
| 3.70 to 3.89 GPA | Magna Cum Laude (with high honors) |
| 3.50 to 3.69 GPA | Cum Laude (with honors) |
Further, the honors calculation will include all hours completed in the semester in which the first of those final fifty-four (54) hours was completed.
Students who qualify for graduation with honors are responsible for purchasing gold Honor Cords from the UH Campus Bookstore to wear at Commencement.
See the Academic Catalog archives for honors policy for students beginning under catalogs prior to Fall 2010.
GRADUATION APPLICATION STATUS & DIPLOMA
The dean’s office certifies graduation after all final grades are posted. A decision (approved or disapproved) is made within 6–8 weeks after the term ends.
Diplomas are usually mailed 1–2 weeks after graduation certification is approved. Diplomas will not be mailed if you have an outstanding balance on your UH account—balances must be paid in full first.
You may request an expedited degree posting if you have an urgent need. Submit documentation of your deadline (addressed to you) to your major department advisor. Reviews cannot be posted before the close of the term.
Diplomas are mailed directly to the address in your myUH student account. The printing company will also email you when your diploma has been shipped. Keep your contact info updated to avoid delays.
Click Here For Help With Your Diploma OrderYes. There is a $25 fee for each additional diploma requested after the initial one is mailed. This also applies to diplomas reissued due to name changes not listed on your original graduation application.
NEED ASSISTANCE?
For questions related to the completion of your degree, please contact your major advisor. Note: Your graduation application status will not change until after all grades for the term have been posted.