Commencement FAQs

Commencement ceremonies are the services held in May each year. These are the ceremonies in which the achievement of the degree or certificate is recognized and celebrated by the college and the students’ friends and family.

Graduation is the process of being awarded a degree or certificate. All students wishing to graduate must apply for graduation by the application deadline that is advertised on the Academic Calendar. Applying for graduation is a college 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.

The Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremonies will be held at the Uvalde County Fairplex Arena on the following days:

Friday, May 17th @ 7:00 pm
Dual Credit/ Early College High School Students (Liberal Arts & Applied Sciences)

Saturday, May 18th @ 10:00 am
Liberal Arts - Non-High School students
***Dual Credit/Early College students from Uvalde, Knippa, and Sabinal high schools will attend this ceremony

Saturday, May 18th @ 1:00 pm
Applied Sciences - Non-High School students

• All participants must wear academic regalia that is approved and provided by the institutional departments. This applies to gowns, caps, stoles, cords, etc. No custom regalia may be used at the ceremony.
• Caps, gowns, and tassels are available at the Campus Bookstore.
• 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.
• Caps may be decorated as long as it is in good taste. Decorations may not include profanity, reference to alcohol or controlled substances, political statements or symbols, or political party references.

There will be open seating for all guests in the stands. For security purposes, all guests will be asked to walk through a metal detector prior to entering the facility.

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

In the event you have met requirements for more than one degree/certificate you may choose the ceremony in which you will participate.

Dual Credit/Early College students from Uvalde, Knippa and Sabinal high schools will attend the Saturday, May 18th commencement ceremony at 10:00 am. Please communicate with your high school counselor for more information.

Students in the military must also wear academic regalia. Uniforms may be worn underneath the regalia.

No, there is no rehearsal for commencement. Please arrive early before the scheduled start time for check-in and lineup.

You should arrive at least one (1) hour prior to the ceremony in which you plan to attend.

There is no limit to the number of guests you may invite however please be aware that it is open seating for everyone.

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.

Diplomas for graduates who have officially completed their certificate/degree programs will be mailed 4-5 weeks after the official close of the Spring semester. Transcripts with degree information are available approximately 3-5 business days after the close of the Spring semester.

*All obligations (fees, fines, transcripts, etc.) with the college must be cleared before diplomas and official/final transcripts will be issued.