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Graduation

Students should read the information below closely and follow their UH email for details.

Spring 2024 Commencement and Celebration
Graduation Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions


Spring 2024 Commencement and Celebration

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Commencement Ceremony
2:00 pm
UH Cullen Performance Hall
4300 University Drive, Houston, Texas 77204

Reception For Graduates and Guests
Following the commencement ceremony
UH Architecture Building
4200 Elgin Street, Houston, Texas 77204


Graduation Checklist

Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements

Undergraduate Requirements:

  • Must have a minimum 2.0 GPA
  • Degree candidates must meet with their undergraduate advisor to confirm they have met all degree requirements for graduation
    • Undergraduates with last names beginning with A-L should reach out to Katherine Wolf.
    • Undergraduates with last names beginning with M-Z should reach out to Jennifer Mutz.

 Graduate Requirements:

  • Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Degree candidates must meet with their graduate advisor to confirm they have met all degree requirements for graduation.

Step 2: Apply for Graduation

Each potential graduate must apply for graduation through their AccessUH portal. Choose “myUH Self-Service,” click on “Advising,” and look for “Apply for Graduation” on the left-hand side.

Regular filing for graduation applications ends on March 1. Regular filing costs $25.

Late filing for graduation applications ends on March 29. Late filing costs $50.

Note: Only students who apply by March 1, 2024, will be included in the printed program. Late filing should only be used for extenuating circumstances.

You will not receive confirmation of your application beyond your submission. If you are concerned about your status, reach out to your academic advisor to ensure you are on track to graduate. You are responsible for ensuring you are not missing any credits and are fully prepared to complete your degree.

Step 3: Update Your Contact Information

Ensure you have the correct name, mailing address, preferred email address, phone number, and any other information in your AccessUH portal. Once you graduate, all communication comes through these channels, and your diploma is sent to the address indicated as your mailing address.

Step 4: Order Your Cap and Gown

There are two ways for graduates to purchase their graduation regalia. Students may purchase their cap and gown at the UH Campus Store starting on March 4. The University of Houston will hold a Graduation Fair at the UH Campus Store on March 4 and 5, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. All candidates for graduation are encouraged to attend.

Students may also purchase their cap and gown online from Herff Jones, the University’s official graduation regalia supplier. The final day for students to order directly from Herff Jones is April 15, 2024. However, to accommodate potential shipping delays, be sure to order early if you intend to purchase online. The company will ship your order directly to the address you provide.

Step 5: Stay Updated with Graduation Information as It is Released

The University of Houston releases a new volume of the Grad Chronicle on March 6, March 20, April 3, April 17, April 24, May 1, and May 7. Be attentive to your email during this timeline, as all new information from the University will be released through this publication.

New information from the Hines College of Architecture and Design will also be communicated via email.

Look for updates on the University Commencement Website and updates from the Hines College on this site. Reach out to your academic advisor with any remaining questions.

Step 6: The Commencement Ceremony

Attendance: Your participation will be expected unless you have indicated on your graduation application that you do not plan to attend the commencement ceremony.

Check-in Process: Graduates must check in with a staff member in the E. Cullen Building atrium at least one hour before the start of the ceremony.

At check-in, your attendance will be marked, you will be handed a “walk card” with your name, and you will be directed to line up along the hallway in the E. Cullen lobby. Undergraduates will be directed to the left of the main desk, and graduates will be directed to the right. At the start of the ceremony, the line will process down a set of stairs and into the auditorium, led by the Hines College banner bearer and faculty. Graduate students follow faculty, and undergraduate students follow graduate students.

Accessibility Notice: If you are uncomfortable or unable to walk down a flight of stairs, please let your academic advisor know as soon as possible. Accommodations will be made for you.

Walk Cards: Each graduation candidate is given a walk card with their name and pronunciation. The candidate is responsible for holding this card from check-in through the ceremony and handing it to the name reader as the graduate crosses the stage.

Tickets: Each graduate will receive six virtual tickets for guests. No paper tickets are distributed ahead of graduation or on the day of graduation. Guests must access their tickets on a phone or hand-held device on the day of graduation. Every guest must have a ticket except children under two years of age. Graduates do not need their own tickets. Graduates will be expected to arrive 1- 1.5 hours before the start of the graduation to ensure a timely lineup and procession.

To learn more about the ticket lottery and what to do with unused tickets, please read the FAQs below.

Preparing Your Guests: Because graduates will arrive before their guests, it is the responsibility of the graduates to send their guests tickets and parking information before the day of the ceremony.

Parking: Guests and graduates park at the Welcome Center Garage, located at 4434 University Drive, Houston, TX 77204. Parking will be free on graduation day.

Venue Information: For more information about Cullen Performance Hall, visit their website. The venue is located at 4300 University Drive, Houston, TX 77204. Cullen Performance Hall enforces a clear bag policy to ensure the safety of all guests. All persons entering the venue are required to follow this policy. Be sure your guests are aware of this rule before they arrive.


Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the ceremony?

The commencement ceremony for the Hines College of Architecture and Design is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 9, 2024, at the Cullen Performance Hall on the University of Houston campus. The venue is located at 4300 University Drive, Houston, TX 77204.

What do I have to wear if I am graduating? Where do I get it?

Undergraduates are required to wear the University of Houston regalia. This consists of the black UH graduation gown and black mortarboard (cap). The gown has red on the ends of the sleeves and the UH logo on each of the arms. Each graduate must wear a uniform tassel on their mortarboards and the accompanying stole(s) around their necks. These caps and gowns are specific and must be purchased through either the UH Campus Store or directly from the supplier, Herff Jones. See below for an example of the undergraduate robes. 

Master’s degree candidates must wear the UH black and red graduate gowns. Master’s degree gowns are identifiable by their longer sleeves and T-shaped design on the front of the gown. All master’s degree candidates must wear the appropriate hoods and their mortarboards. See below for an image of the master’s candidate robes. 

If you have earned a leadership or an honor cord, you may wear that around your neck along with your stole. Undergraduate students graduating with a Latin Honors designation are given a gold cord to wear with their cap and gown. Students recognized as student leaders are given a lavender and white cord to wear with their cap and gown. The College will notify students if they are recognized for their student leadership. Notifications will be sent out as soon as items are ready to be picked up from the Hines College’s Student Services Office, Room 151.

All graduates are expected to wear business, business casual, or formal attire underneath their robes to respect the occasion. Candidates descend stairs, walk through the carpeted house of the performance hall, stay seated for at least one hour, and walk back and forth from the parking garage. Please consider this as you plan your wardrobe. Narrow heels or stilettos are discouraged to prevent tripping hazards.

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Undergraduate Cap and Gown Graduate Cap and Gown 

How do I know if I am graduating with honors?

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 54 hours completed at the University of Houston. Master’s degree candidates are not recognized with Latin Honors.

All included grades must be letter grades: A, B, C, etc. Grades of S, U, I, and W are not assigned grade point values and are, therefore, not used in the computation of the grade point average. Further, the honors calculation includes all hours completed in the semester in which the first of those final 54 hours were completed.

Honors Grade Point Averages

3.90 - 4.00 Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors)
3.70 - 3.89 Magna Cum Laude (with high honors)
3.50 - 3.69 Cum Laude (with honors)

The Hines College will email students about their eligibility to graduate with Latin Honors.

Will there be accommodated seating for guests with disabilities?

Cullen Performance Hall has accessible seating for guests who require accommodations. Ushers are available on the day of the ceremony to assist guests and answer questions. If you have a specific concern, please contact your academic advisor.

Where should the graduates and guests park?

Guests and graduates park at the Welcome Center Garage at 4434 University Drive, Houston, TX 77204. Parking is free on graduation day. Please note that the Welcome Center Garage has a height limit of 6’8”. Taller vehicles may park at surface lots around the campus. Please consult the visitor parking map to find the nearest lot.

Limited handicap parking is available in front of Cullen Performance Hall. It is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If full, individuals with disabilities may be dropped off in front of the building, but vehicles must find alternate parking in designated event parking locations.

How long is the ceremony?

The ceremony is estimated to take approximately two hours.

What do I do with my belongings?

Graduate applicants should leave all personal items, including purses, coats, and hangers, in a secure location, such as their locked car or with guests. There is no secure place to store these, and the University/College is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Graduates may not hold purses or bags during the ceremony, so please plan accordingly.

What if I want to leave before the ceremony is over?

Graduate applicants cannot leave the ceremony before it is officially closed. They must stay in their seats for the duration of the ceremony. Each graduate deserves the same respect and attention on this important day. 

Will there be a graduation rehearsal?

A rehearsal will occur the day before the ceremony, but the only individuals in attendance are the College’s graduation coordinators, the platform party, the name reader, staff and student volunteers, and the banner bearers. Unfortunately, there is no time for a full rehearsal for all graduation candidates. Because of this, it is vital that all candidates read the information released by the University and College and ask any questions prior to the day of graduation. 

The staff and student volunteers will be on hand to give directions and answer any questions on the day of the ceremony. 

I completed my degree in December. Can I walk in the May ceremony?

Yes, the Hines College holds only one ceremony for all our graduates. If you are unsure if you have let the College know of your attendance, please contact your academic advisor to confirm your participation.

I have other friends graduating this semester from other colleges. Will our ceremonies overlap? 

Commencement ceremonies for all UH spring 2024 graduation candidates will occur May 8-11, 2024. The full schedule of ceremonies can be found on the commencement webpage.  

Will graduates from other colleges be walking in the same ceremony as the Hines College?

No, each college holds its own commencement ceremony. The only graduation candidates walking at Hines College’s ceremony will be Hines College students. 

Are tickets required to attend the commencement ceremonies?

Tickets are required for all University commencement ceremonies. Each candidate for graduation is emailed a link to download six (6) electronic tickets prior to their ceremony. Guests must have a phone or hand-held device to access and display the tickets on graduation day. Graduates themselves do not require a ticket. Children two (2) years of age and younger do not require tickets. Tickets are ceremony-specific and may only be used for the ceremony displayed on the ticket.  

All commencement tickets are complimentary; unused tickets should be returned to the commencement ticket pool. The selling of commencement tickets is not condoned by the University and could constitute a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with this directive results in a referral to the Dean of Students Office. 

What should I do if I am not planning to use all my tickets?

Do you not plan to attend commencement? Do you not need all six (6) commencement tickets? Help your fellow graduates and give back any unused tickets to the ticketing pool! Use the link provided at this site to submit your request to give back some of your commencement tickets. 

Am I able to get more than six tickets for my guests?

Need additional guest tickets? Students interested in entering the commencement guest ticket lottery to receive additional tickets can submit a request for more tickets. 

Opens – Thursday, March 21 at 10:00 am CST
Closes – Tuesday, March 26 at 11:59 pm CST 

The link to the request form will be posted on this site on the week of March 18th.

Please note that the availability of extra tickets is not guaranteed and depends on the number of graduates and amount of returned or unclaimed tickets; please plan accordingly. Entering the lottery does not guarantee your participation in commencement. Make sure your graduation application is submitted and approved. Email inquiries are not considered for additional tickets. 

Students will be notified of the commencement lottery results by the end of the day on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. If selected, your additional tickets will be available for pickup at the graduation celebration taking place on Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, at the University of Houston Campus Store, at 4455 University Dr #130, Houston, TX 77204, in the Student Center South.

Additional Ticket Lottery Pick-Up Dates and Times
April 15 – April 19, 2024, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
April 22 – May 3, 2024, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Will the ceremonies be live-streamed for my other loved ones to watch me graduate?

Yes, all ceremonies will be live-streamed. Anywhere someone can access the internet, they will be able to watch the ceremony. The video recording is also available afterward for those who missed it the first time or who would like to view it again.

What is the deadline for applying for graduation?

The regular filing period for spring 2024 graduation is November 6, 2023 – March 1, 2024. The deadline for late filing is March 29, 2024. Only students who apply for graduation by March 1 will be included in the printed program. Please see the following links for more information: 

Undergraduate Catalog Calendar www.uh.edu/academic-calendar-undergraduate

Graduate Catalog Calendar: www.uh.edu/academic-calendar-graduate

When will I receive my diploma?

It takes about six weeks from the term's close for the academic advisors to review graduation applications, ensure all requirements have been met, and submit their decisions to the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) for processing. Diplomas are ordered once students have been approved by OUR and degrees officially conferred and posted.

Your diploma is mailed directly to you at the most current address provided through your myUH student account. The diploma printing company also sends email notifications to you indicating when your diploma has been mailed. You must keep contact information updated in myUH to avoid shipment delays.

If you have questions about your diploma or its conferral, contact OUR.  

Do I need to buy a cap and gown? 

Yes. Graduation candidates wishing to participate in commencement ceremonies must wear the appropriate regalia.  

The University of Houston Bookstore will host a "Grad Fair" March 4 - 5, 2024, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at the UH Campus Store in the Student Center South. Regalia orders can be placed in person at this time. The last day to order regalia online is Monday, April 15, 2024. 

For all questions about regalia, please contact the UH Campus Store at campusstore@uh.edu or call 713.741.7095. 

Who is the commencement photographer? How will I get my pictures?

Flash Photography is the official photographer for all University of Houston commencement ceremonies. Two pictures are taken of all graduation candidates. The first is taken as the candidate walks across the stage and shakes the hand of the College’s dean. The second is an individual portrait. 

After the ceremony, Flash Photography sends proofs to you so that you can decide if you want to order prints. The photographer already has your mailing address from your myUH information. If you do not receive the proofs within 30 days of commencement, please contact Flash Photography at 800.410.8070.

How do I get my class ring?

Please visit the Houston Alumni Association webpage for information about the class ring program.

Am I allowed to decorate my cap or wear individual regalia?

Graduate applicants are welcome to decorate their mortarboard for the commencement ceremony. All designs must be appropriate for mixed audiences and families in attendance.

What should I do if something is lost at the ceremony?

Guests inquiring about lost items at Cullen Performance Hall should call 832.842.3131. Items lost at prior events are held in a locked storage area for 48 hours and are then disposed of or donated to an appropriate charitable organization. If the item falls within the UHPD lost and found policy, it will be transferred to UHPD. Cullen Performance Hall is not held responsible for lost or damaged items.

If you have lost something at the Hines College architecture building, please visit or contact the front desk of the dean’s office.