Commencement FAQs

Students should apply for graduation for the term they will complete all degree requirements for their program. To determine the graduation application dates for a current or future term, please review the University Academic Dates and Deadlines. Graduation applications are submitted via the Student Academic Records Menu app in MyUWF.

No. Applying for graduation is completely separate from registering to attend the ceremony. Some graduating students choose not to attend the ceremony. To have an accurate count of chairs for graduate seating, you must also RSVP for the ceremony.

Students should arrive at least 45 - 60 minutes before their ceremony. Once they have completed the check-in process, they will be directed to their seats for the ceremony.

Each graduate will receive a 3x5 reader card when they arrive at check-in for Commencement. Information for the reader card will be taken from the RSVP form. This form will include their name as they want it announced, a phonetic spelling, any honors designation for which they are eligible, and personal identifiers for the photographers. Students will give the Reader their card when entering the stage. Please do not roll the card up, make extraneous marks on it, etc., as this makes it more difficult for the Reader to announce you properly. The photographers use this card as well to keep track of the photo orders.

There will be a limited supply of replacement cards on-hand during check-in.

In order to ensure that your name is reflected in the commencement program, you must have your application for graduation on file with the Office of the Registrar no later than seven weeks prior to the end of the Fall or Spring semesters. (Fall: Early October and Spring: End of February). Please check with the Graduation Office for details. 

Generally, the mortarboard sits on the top of the head, so the board portion is parallel to the floor. It does not belong on the back of the head.

Yes, you can decorate your cap so long as the decorations are family-friendly.

No, we do not facilitate a grad cap toss at our ceremonies. Most universities do not do this. That's more of a television thing than a real-life thing.

Undergraduate students should wear the tassel on the right side. The President will indicate during the ceremony when the tassel should be moved to the left side.

Graduate students should wear the tassel on the left side.

Yes, Doctoral, Specialists, and Masters graduates will be hooded on stage.

There is currently no limit to the number of guests you can bring to the ceremony at the Pensacola Bay Center. Tickets are not needed.

• Please view the Honors tab under 'Graduates.' You will find that information there.
• You may also view the Undergraduate Catalog for detailed information on Baccalaureate Honors.
• Baccalaureate Honors are printed on the diploma and transcript.
• UWF does not recognize honors for graduate students since a 3.5 is the minimum required for admission to any graduate program.
• Your honors designation will NOT be announced during the ceremonies.

Students should drape the honor cords over their shoulders, with the cords hanging down each side of the gown. If you are uncertain, your college marshal should help you during check-in.

In general, students may wear their sorority or fraternity "stole" around the neck, with the sides hanging down each side of the gown. They may also wear cords or small ribbons awarded to them by an honorary society or group. While students will not be asked to remove them, they should refrain from wearing other decorations. Too many adornments become distracting and detract from the tradition of the event.

In order to participate in the ceremony, you must wear appropriate regalia. Anyone without regalia will not be allowed to walk in the ceremony. The University Bookstore orders plenty of extras for students who did not place a pre-order. Contact the University Bookstore at 850.474.2150.

Once your degree is placed in an awarded status, it will be reflected on your transcript. Students earning a bachelor's degree or higher will receive a courtesy electronic diploma at no cost approximately two - four weeks after the degree award. All financial holds must be cleared before the diploma will be released. Email graduation@uwf.edu with any questions regarding diplomas. If you want a hard copy of your diploma, visit How to Submit a Diploma Request.

Summer graduates are invited to walk in either the Spring ceremony before or the Fall after graduating. Your name will appear in the Spring Commencement program as a prospective graduate and then in the Fall program as a graduate. While UWF only has two ceremonies, degrees are conferred all three semesters- spring, summer, and fall.

If you plan to participate in a commencement ceremony outside of your designated graduation semester, you may do so within one year*. However, please note the following:

• RSVP is your responsibility. You must submit your RSVP for the ceremony when it opens at the beginning of each semester.

• Stay updated. Since you are not walking in your designated semester, you will not receive ceremony emails. Be sure to check our website regularly for updates.

• Program listing. Your name will not appear in the printed program for that ceremony.

*Examples explaining "within one year" (Bold is expected date of ceremony): 
Degree conferral in Spring 2025 allows a student to participate in either Spring '25, Fall '25 or Spring '26. 
Degree conferral in Summer 2025 allows a student to participate in either Spring '25, Fall '25 or Spring '26. 
Degree conferral in Fall 2025 allows a student to participate in either Fall '25, Spring '26 or Fall '26. 

If any programs are available afterward, you may email commencement@uwf.edu to obtain a copy. Please include the address to which you would like it sent and add MAIL PROGRAM in the subject line.

Questions regarding pictures taken at the Commencement ceremonies should be directed to Grad Images.

Limited handicap parking is available at the Pensacola Bay Center for cars with a parking permit. The Pensacola Bay Center does not supply wheelchairs, so guests should bring their own if needed. Special seating is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis. Volunteers will be stationed around the center to offer direction and assistance. The commencement committee does not handle this assistance for family members. 

UWF commencement ceremonies are held twice a year, at the end of the fall and spring semesters. In addition to the in-person ceremony, UWF live streams both ceremonies.

Applying for graduation is entirely separate from registering to attend the ceremony. Students must RSVP for commencement to participate.

Expected participation procedure:  

• Fall graduates RSVP to the Fall Commencement ceremony.
• Spring graduates RSVP to the Spring Commencement ceremony
• Summer graduates have the option to participate in either the preceding spring or the following fall ceremony.

If you plan to participate in a commencement ceremony outside of your designated graduation semester, you may do so within one year*. However, please note the following:

• RSVP is your responsibility. You must submit your RSVP for the ceremony when it opens at the beginning of each semester.

• Stay updated. Since you are not walking in your designated semester, you will not receive ceremony emails. Be sure to check our website regularly for updates.

• Program listing. Your name will not appear in the printed program for that ceremony.

*Examples explaining "within one year" (Bold is expected date of ceremony): 
Degree conferral in Spring 2025 allows a student to participate in either Spring '25, Fall '25 or Spring '26. 
Degree conferral in Summer 2025 allows a student to participate in either Spring '25, Fall '25 or Spring '26. 
Degree conferral in Fall 2025 allows a student to participate in either Fall '25, Spring '26 or Fall '26.