What is the difference between graduation and commencement?
Graduation refers to the process in which students apply for their degree to be awarded at the end of the semester. The advising and registrar’s offices will complete final audits of student degrees. If the final audit is approved then students will be awarded a degree and a diploma will be mailed.
Commencement refers to the event held by the institution to celebrate students’ graduation. Commencement includes the public conferring of degrees, walking across the stage, and receiving a UNT Dallas diploma cover. Walking in commencement does not guarantee that a student has graduated. Some students may walk across the stage and appear in the commencement program while not having graduated yet.
How do I know if my application for graduation was approved?
Students will be contacted by UNTD student email regarding their application status. Applications in an approved status mean that the student is on track to graduate. It does not indicate that the student has been awarded their degree. Students should check their student emails frequently to keep apprised of their graduation application status.
How do I know if I qualify for honors?
An email will be sent out to all students who qualify for honors. This email will include information on how to order and wear honors regalia for commencement. The commencement program will include a notation on applicable honors based on the student’s current overall GPA prior to fall semester final grades. UNT Dallas recognizes the following Latin honors:
Cum Laude – 3.5-3.69 Overall GPA
Magna Cum Laude – 3.7-3.89 Overall GPA
Summa Cum Laude – 3.9-4.0 Overall GPA
Honors will be printed on your official transcript as well as your diploma. Graduate students are not eligible for university honors at this time.
What if I missed the deadline to apply for graduation?
Students who have not yet applied for graduation may contact the Office of the Registrar at 972-780-3664 or at registrar@untdallas.edu for more information. Any students who are approved late through appeal are not guaranteed to have their name printed in the commencement program.
When will my degree be awarded?
The awarding of degrees does not occur until after the last day of the semester, grades are posted, and all requirements are met. This often occurs after commencement. Students can expect to receive a complimentary official transcript from the Registrar’s Office after their degree has been awarded approximately 2-4 weeks after the last day of class.
When are final grades posted?
Final grades are posted at the end of each long semester (16 weeks) on the Friday following the end of the term. Processing times for posting grades varies, and students should typically allow 5-7 business days after the last day of the semester for grades to be turned in by faculty and posted by the Registrar’s Office.
If I don’t attend commencement will my degree still be awarded?
Yes. Students who elect not to participate in commencement will still have their degree awarded approximately 2-4 weeks after the last day of class, and will also receive their diploma 6-8 weeks after their degree has been awarded.
When can I expect to receive my diploma?
Diplomas for students should be mailed 6 to 8 weeks after final grades and requirements are confirmed.
When can I expect to receive my certificate?
Certificates will be mailed out by the academic department 6 to 8 weeks after final grades and requirements are confirmed. Contact your academic department for more information.
Additional questions?
Contact the Office of the Registrar by phone at 972-780-3664, by email at registrar@untdallas.edu, or in person at office 105A in Building One (to the left of the Enrollment Center).
