A step-by-step guide to graduation
For many UH students, the road to graduation is more than just a culmination of academic effort; it’s the final step in a journey filled with challenges, growth and milestones.
As Fall 2024 continues, those who’ve spent years working toward their degree now face one final task: applying for graduation.
The countdown begins
It starts with a simple yet crucial task: submitting your graduation application.
For students expecting to complete their degree by the end of Fall 2024, the application window opened early on April 1.
The path to graduation is lined with deadlines and decisions, none more important than the Sept. 27, 2024 deadline.
Students who apply by this date not only avoid any late fees but also secure their spot in the printed and electronic commencement program.
For some, life gets in the way, and the late registration period—Sept. 28 to Oct. 25, 2024—becomes a final lifeline.
However, this comes with a bittersweet caveat: those who apply late will walk across the stage, but their names won’t appear in the commencement booklet.
Life happens: What if you miss the deadline?
But what if the deadline passes you by? The ticking clock doesn’t always align with life’s timing.
Some students have jobs lined up or graduate programs eagerly awaiting their confirmation of degree conferral. The university offers them a glimmer of hope.
By submitting proof—perhaps a job offer letter or an acceptance to a graduate program—students can petition to graduate late, as long as they provide documentation to their major advisor.
These exceptions are rare, but when granted, they allow students to walk the stage without delay.
The final review
Once the application is submitted, a wave of relief might follow—but the journey isn’t over just yet.
Behind the scenes, advisors and administrators spring into action.
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences advisors begin their reviews, diving into the details of each student’s academic record.
The approval for graduation is contingent on passing those last few classes, and if something is amiss, the student’s graduation may be deferred.
But once the grades are posted, the final hurdle lies with the Dean’s Office for Academic Affairs, where degrees are confirmed or denied.
The honor of honors
While every graduate has their personal goals, there’s an extra layer of prestige for those whose GPAs soar to the top.
For students walking with honors—Summa Cum Laude (3.90 to 4.0 GPA), Magna Cum Laude (3.70 to 3.89 GPA), or Cum Laude (3.50 to 3.69 GPA)—commencement holds a special significance.
Honors are announced during the ceremony based on the grades earned up until that point.
Final semester grades, posted after the ceremony, determine what’s engraved on the diploma.
Commencement day
Graduation day is about more than just a cap and gown; it’s the closing of a chapter.
To walk across the stage is to acknowledge years of hard work, late nights and countless challenges overcome.
For doctoral students, the moment is even more personal.
Standing on stage as their dissertation chair places the academic hood over their shoulders is a culmination of years of research, dedication and mentorship. It’s a tradition that ties generations of scholars together.
Diplomas and beyond
But while the ceremony may feel like the end, there’s still one final piece of the puzzle: the diploma itself.
It takes six to eight weeks after the semester ends for colleges to finalize their reviews and submit degree approvals to the registrar’s office.
Once approved, that long-awaited diploma will arrive by mail, the final symbol of their academic journey.
As graduates prepare to step out into the world, their journey at UH ends, but the lessons learned, connections made and memories created remain.
Graduation is not just about the cap and gown—it’s about every step along the way.
Whether it’s meeting the deadlines, making that final donation or nervously awaiting the diploma in the mail, each part of the process is a step closer to turning dreams into reality.