Graduate School Graduation FAQs

Please refer to our Graduation page to apply for graduation and see when those applications open for each term. The instructions are located at the top of the Graduation Application screen in a yellow box.

You apply for the graduation term that corresponds to completion of all graduation requirements (coursework, thesis/dissertation/scholarly delivery requirements, comprehensive exam, etc.) as required by your particular program.

• May (spring) graduation: Students who will meet all graduation requirements by the end of the January (winter) intersession or spring semester will apply for May graduation.
• August (summer 2) graduation: Students who will meet all graduation requirements by the end of the May intersession, summer 1 semester, or summer 2 semester will apply for August graduation.
• December (fall) graduation: Students who will meet all graduation requirements by the end of the fall semester will apply for December graduation.

Please send an email from your WT email account to the appropriate department requesting a late graduation application. Please note that students added late may not have their names included in the program.

No. However, there are costs associated with graduation regalia if you intend to participate in the commencement ceremony. Please contact the University Bookstore for more information on regalia. You will also find information about which regalia you need to purchase on the Bookstore’s website, as each degree requires different colored hoods.

An official graduation letter will be sent to your university email account during the semester you intend to graduate. This will contain information about your remaining requirements, as well as commencement ceremony information. Any additional information will also be sent to that email.

The ceremony is held at the First United Bank Center in Canyon, TX. Please refer to our Graduation page for more information on the specific date and time of the upcoming ceremony.

The closest airport to Canyon, TX is the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA), about 30 minutes from Canyon. You can also fly to Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB), about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Canyon.

We recommend staying in Canyon, TX (closest to the venue) or Amarillo, TX (15-30 minutes from the venue).

We recommend that students arrive 45 minutes to an hour before the ceremony to allow time for check in and preparation.

Each ceremony can last up to 2 hours. At the end of each ceremony, graduates will walk in the recessional out of the arena doors. Guests may meet their graduates outside.

No. Parking will be available at the First United Bank Center. Overflow parking will be behind the Ag Complex building and the Virgil Henson Activities Center. Please do not park along Russell Long Blvd. as this is a bike lane and not a shoulder. Handicapped parking will be available at the First United Bank Center.

No, and there is not currently a limit on guests. Seating is open and is on a first come, first serve basis.

There will be handicapped seating available, and sign language interpreters will be at each ceremony.

The university uses Flash Photography during each commencement ceremony. Students will fill out a photography card before the ceremony if photos are desired. Graduates have their picture taken as they exit the stage.

Graduate students will purchase a cap, gown, black tassel, and appropriate hood from the University bookstore if participating in the ceremony. The hood colors are as follows:

• College of Business – drab*
• Master of Agriculture – gold
• Master of Arts – white
• Master of Education – blue
• Master of Fine Arts – brown
• Master of Music – pink
• Master of Public Administration – peacock
• Master of Science – gold
• Master of Arts in Nursing – apricot

*All graduate students in the College of Business will wear a drab hood

Doctoral students (Ph.D. Agriculture and Ed.D. Educational Leadership) should contact the University bookstore directly for assistance with specialized doctoral regalia.

NOTE: There are no honor designations at the graduate level.

No. A final degree evaluation will be completed before a degree is officially awarded to ensure all requirements have been met.

Degrees typically post to transcripts about 2-3 weeks after grades are due for the semester. Once all final grades and requirements are received, a final degree evaluation will be performed before degrees can be posted.

Diplomas are mailed about 8 weeks after grades are due for the term you graduate, as long as you do not have any holds with the university. Students with a hold should contact the appropriate contact for more information.

Diplomas are mailed to the address you provide on your graduation application. You can verify this address on the official graduation letter you receive that semester. If you need to update your diploma mailing address, please send an email to the appropriate contact with the correct mailing address. Please note that updating your address with the Registrar’s office will not update your diploma mailing address, so you must contact the appropriate contact directly.