Questions?
Office of Orientation and Family Engagement
Email: commencement@ut.edu
Phone: (813) 257-1999
Location: Vaughn Center (VC), Room 210
Ready to walk the stage?
Your Graduation Checklist: Step-by-Step Guide to Registering for Graduation
Graduating is an exciting milestone, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Use this checklist to make sure you’ve completed all the necessary steps—from submitting your application to ordering your cap and gown—so nothing stands between you and your big day.
To receive your diploma and have your degree conferred on your transcript, you must apply to graduate in Workday—even if you do not plan to participate in the commencement ceremony.
To apply:
- Log in to MyUTampa and use the Workday widget.
- Complete the graduation application, including diploma name and diploma address.
- Click here for a step-by-step tutorial.
- Students can confirm their graduation application by going to the “Academics” page in Workday and selecting the “Overview” tab. The primary program of study status column should read “Pending Completion” with the following graduation dates:
- Dec. 18, 2026 for December degree candidates
- May 8, 2027 for Winter Intersession and May degree candidates
Deadlines:
- Students graduating in December must apply by October 26 to be included in the December Commencement program.
- Applications submitted after the deadline will still be processed, but your name will not appear in the commencement program.
Please note, in order to graduate from the University of Tampa students must still complete this step, even if it is past the deadline.
This step must also be completed in order to receive an invitation to participate in the commencement ceremony.
For questions regarding eligibility to graduate please contact your faculty advisor.
Students will need to pre-purchase their graduation regalia at Grad Fair.
Grad Fair is your one-stop shop for regalia, class rings, announcements, diploma frames and more! While attendance is not required, it’s the easiest way to order graduation essentials.
Graduating students will also be able to take graduation photos or professional headshots at the Grad Fair through our official commencement photography company, Grad Images.
Grad Fair will be held in October at the University bookstore (dates to be announced soon).
Grad Fair will be held again in February for May graduates.
Additional items that are available for purchase include:
Graduation announcements or a class ring, please visit Herff Jones ordering site for University of Tampa students.
Philanthropy cords to wear at graduation for a gift of $20.26, which supports University of Tampa student scholarships, contact annualfund@ut.edu.
After applying to graduate in Workday, you will receive a personalized Commencement registration link via email once registration opens. Please allow approximately one week after applying to graduate to receive your registration link.
On the registration form, you will:
- Provide phonetic spelling of your name
- Submit ADA accommodation requests for you or your guests
- Register for guest tickets. Please confer with your family regarding your ticket needs prior to filling out the form.
December 2026 Commencement
- Registration: September 28–October 30
- Eligible students: Summer 2026 graduates who did not participate in May 2026 Commencement and students completing their degree in December 2026.
- Winter Intersession: If you are completing your degree during Winter Intersession, apply to graduate with a May 8, 2027 graduation date, then email commencement@ut.edu to request your December Commencement registration link.
May 2027 Commencement
- Registration: February 17–March 29
- Eligible students: Students completing their degree in January, May, or August 2027.
Missed the registration deadline? Email commencement@ut.edu to request late registration.
Students registering after the deadline may not request additional tickets, and may be assigned to a ceremony that differs from their college due to space limitations.
- Each graduate who registers for commencement is guaranteed six guest tickets through electronic distribution.
- Up to six additional tickets may be requested in the application, but are not guaranteed fufillment.
- If demand for additional tickets exceeds supply, a lottery system will be used to distribute extra tickets.
- If a graduate does not plan to use the full six ticket allotment they may:
- Request fewer than six tickets, with the unused tickets returned to the general pool.
- Share extra tickets with friends graduating in the same ceremony. The sharing process is permissible but not monitored by the university.
If you request additional tickets through the registration process, notifications will be sent to your Spartan email regarding additional ticket request fulfillment by November 3 for December 2026 Commencement, and April 2 for May 2027 Commencement.
Graduates should refrain from inviting more than the allotted ticket amount as extra tickets on the day of the ceremony are not available, and guests without tickets will not be permitted to enter the ceremony
This is based on the number of tickets claimed and available seating in the Expo Hall. Additional tickets are not guaranteed for every student who requests them.
Registration closes October 30 for December 2026 Commencement, and March 29 for May 2027 Commencement. To register after that date, students must email commencement@ut.edu to be added. Students registering after the deadline may not request additional tickets, and may be assigned to a ceremony that differs from their college due to space limitations.
For more information about the ticketing process, please visit the ticketing page.
Monitor your Spartan email account regularly for important commencement updates and reminders, as well as requests to complete other graudation related tasks.
In March 2027, undergraduate students will receive an email invitation to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Your responses help the university strengthen academic and campus experiences for future Spartans. Take a few minutes to leave your mark before you cross the stage!
Regalia pick-up will take place in late November for December Commencement, and late April for May Commencement (dates to be announced soon).
Graduating students must pick up their regalia prior to Commencement date. Academic regalia will not be available for onsite pick-up at the commencement ceremony.
The First Destination Survey is your opportunity to share your plans after graduation, whether that’s a new job, graduate school or your next big step. By completing the survey, you help UTampa celebrate the accomplishments of its graduates and share success stories with the UTampa community, accrediting bodies and national publications.
Take a few minutes to share where your journey is headed—and help highlight the impact of a UTampa degree.
Your journey with UTampa doesn’t end at graduation. Learn how to stay engaged and connected as a proud Spartan Alum.
Fill out this form to provide UTampa Alumni with your contact information to stay in touch. And follow the Alumni Association on LinkedIn.
Celebrate your incredible achievement! Congratulations on your graduation from the University of Tampa.
Commencement Photos
As you walk across the stage, a photographer will capture your moment with the University President. After exiting the stage to the right, two additional professional photos will be taken before you return to your seat.
Grad Images will email a link to your UTampa Spartan email account within 1–5 days after the ceremony, where you can view and purchase your photos if desired.
To receive your photos faster, you’ll also be sent a link to upload a selfie for photo matching. If you experience any issues accessing your photos after Commencement, contact Grad Images Customer Service at (800) 261-2576, visit www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net
Diplomas
At the Commencement ceremony, you will receive your diploma cover. Your will receive an email from the Registrar's Office prior to graduation that will include the estimated timeframe for diploma shipment.
Please make sure to update your "Diploma Address" with the University via Workday to ensure you receive your diploma.
Technology Checklist
Please refer to the ITS Outgoing Student Checklist regarding availability of your Spartan email address and other apps after graduation.
