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University Commencement Traditions

What is University Commencement?  It is tradition. It is pomp. It is pageantry. It is impressive and spectacular. It is joy and pride for your family, and it is precedent-setting for generations to follow.

University Commencement is personal and meaningful. It is a shared celebration with faculty and friends who have shaped your education. University Commencement is a smaller-setting opportunity that reflects the flavor and traditions of each college. Your family and friends are encouraged to attend your college ceremony, which highlights the Dean and faculty, and allows for individual graduate recognition as you to hear your name called and you walk across the stage to receive your accolades.

University Commencement ceremonies will be held at various locations on the University of Houston campus and surrounding venues in the city. University Commencement is the formal celebration at which degrees are conferred upon graduating students. University Commencement is an event not to be missed by students, families, and friends.

Graduation

Graduation is the three-step process of completion of a degree, including:

  1. submitting an online application for graduation by logging in to myUH.
  2. completing all academic requirements for your degree, and
  3. satisfying all financial obligations.

Your degree becomes official when it is posted to your transcript rather than by your participation in commencement ceremonies.

It takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks from the close of the term for colleges to review graduation applications and submit their decisions to the Registrar’s office for processing. Diplomas are ordered once a student has been approved and a degree officially conferred and posted.

Diplomas are mailed directly to students at the most current address provided through their myUH student account. The diploma printing company also will send email notifications to diploma recipients indicating when diplomas have been mailed. Graduates are advised to confirm their contact information in myUH to avoid shipment delays.