Navigating UCF Fall Graduation: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Celebrations

Graduation from the University of Central Florida (UCF) marks a significant milestone, representing the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and academic achievement. This comprehensive guide provides essential information for students preparing for the fall commencement ceremonies, outlining key requirements, important deadlines, and celebratory events.

Preparing for Graduation

Intent to Graduate

Graduates must submit their Intent to Graduate (ITG) form well before their actual graduation ceremony. The deadline to submit the ITG occurs during the semester preceding the semester you intend to graduate. Please review the UCF Academic Calendar to find the specific Graduation Application deadlines for your term. Once these deadlines have passed, graduates will need to contact their college advising office of their major to inquire about earning their degree this term. An Intent to Graduate application must be filed for each active program a student has declared.

Academic Review and Advising

Review Your myKnight Audit: Students should regularly review their myKnight Audit to track their progress toward degree completion.
Meet with Your Academic Advisor: Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss any questions or concerns regarding academic policies and procedures, major requirements, and graduation. Your advisor can review information and work towards a solution with you.
Ensure Requirements are Satisfied: All your degree requirements should say “Satisfied” (or “Satisfied with future courses”).
Double Majors, Minors, etc: Make sure all your correct programs appear in your Degree Audit. When you have a double major, you will need to file an Intent to Graduate for each Major. Per the Undergraduate Student Catalog, A student may earn one degree, with two majors, by completing all the requirements for both majors. If either major leads to a BA degree, these requirements include the BA Foreign Language Proficiency requirement. Students earning a double major must use the same Catalog year for both majors.

Enrollment and Academic Policies

Enroll in Courses: Enroll exclusively in UCF courses (no transient courses) for the final term of enrollment during the registration enrollment appointment.
Transient Courses and CLEP: It is against university policy to take a course transiently (take courses at another institution) or take a CLEP test during your graduating term, as we cannot guarantee that the grade will return back to UCF in time to award your degree. Students MAY NOT be transient (take courses at another institution) or plan to receive CLEP credit during their graduating term.
Credit Reporting: Students MUST report all credit attempted or earned prior to completing a baccalaureate degree. If a student has attempted or earned credit from another institution that does not yet appear in your UCF record, the student must request all transcripts be sent to the UCF Registrar’s Office as soon as possible.
Post-Graduation Enrollment: Do NOT register for any semesters after your graduating semester unless you have been accepted as a graduate Non-Degree or Second Degree Seeker.

Financial and Administrative Matters

Update Your Information: Keep your contact information current in the myUCF system. If not, create one via your myUCF via the Student Self Service Center. If not review your myUCF for your enrollment appointment and build your ideal final semester using mySchedule Builder.
Resolve Holds: Holds may be placed on your record for various reasons and may restrict course registration, the release of grades, the release of transcripts, and the release of diplomas. Graduates should check their myUCF portal for any holds that may exist and clear up those obligations as early as possible. All financial and disciplinary obligations must be met in order to receive a diploma.
Financial Aid: Have you reviewed your Financial Aid to anticipate what you might be eligible for? You can also visit their office and speak with a counselor.
Consider Post-College Plans: Have you attended events on campus that will prepare you for life after college? If not make sure to visit UCF’s Career Services for resources on career readiness. Don’t forget about preparing for finances after college by reviewing the Cent$ible Knight$ Financial Literacy program and workshops.

Commencement Ceremony Details

Ceremony Information

UCF will award more than 6,000 degrees during this fall’s commencement ceremonies, continuing its record-setting momentum in preparing highly skilled graduates for in-demand fields, including engineering, computer science, nursing, and digital and emerging media. The university awards over 18,000 degrees annually, including more bachelor’s degrees in engineering and nursing than any other institution in the state. UCF serves more of Florida’s students than any other university. Held in the Addition Financial Arena, fall commencement will take place in December. Leaders transforming aviation, finance, science learning and higher education will take the stage to address fall graduates during four commencement ceremonies.

Tickets and Guest Access

Ticket Requirement: All guests, including children and infants, need a ticket for admission to the Addition Financial Arena.
Ticket Distribution: Graduates do not need to register for or order their commencement ceremony tickets. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate on time and place a regalia order on time will automatically receive their ceremony tickets during the designated dates/times established for guest ticket and reader card pick up. Guest tickets must be picked up along with reader cards by each graduate at the main campus by the dates specified below.
Simulcast Viewing: Guests who do not have tickets may watch the live ceremony via a simulcast viewing in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. The Alumni Center’s seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ticket Pick-Up: Tickets are picked up during ticket-pickup week at the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center located near the Addition Financial Arena on the main campus. UCF Online students who have preordered regalia pick up guest tickets at the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center located near the Addition Financial Arena on the main campus during one of the ticket pickup dates. Online students that haven’t ordered regalia yet or need to pick up tickets late, should contact the UCF Bookstore on East Plaza Drive to make arrangements at 407-882-0365.
Third-Party Pick-Up: Graduates unable to pick up their guest tickets may designate a third party to do so by providing them with a letter authorizing UCF to release the tickets during ticket-pickup week. Letters must include the name of the designated pick-up person, along with the graduate’s full name, UCF ID, college of major and their signature on the letter.
Forfeited Tickets: There will be no ticket lottery offered for additional tickets for graduates. Any forfeited tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Addition Financial Arena Box Office two hours prior to each individual commencement ceremony. Guests will need to provide a photo ID, as well as their graduate’s name.

Regalia

Ordering Regalia: Graduates are encouraged to order their cap and gowns sooner rather than later to allow ample time for them to be delivered to their home. There is a late deadline for regalia. All rental orders placed after a certain date will be assessed a rush fee.
Regalia Requirement: Regalia is not required to participate in Grad Walk.
Ticket Pick-Up Note: Guest tickets and reader cards will only be distributed to graduates with current semester (Spring 2026) regalia rental orders and who filed an approved Intent to Graduate application on time.
Availability: Availability of sizes for official regalia cannot be guaranteed after a specific date.
Tassels: The tassel on a graduate’s cap must be their college tassel and not the black and gold souvenir tassel. Baccalaureate degree candidates wear tassels on the right; graduate degree candidates wear tassels on the left.
Regalia Returns: If you have any questions regarding returning regalia, please contact the bookstore.

Reader Cards

Reader Card Pick-Up: Reader cards for bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates will available for pick up with ticket packets during the designated ticket pick up week. Bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates should remember to bring their reader card to the ceremony.
Reader Card Use: It is important that each graduate fill out his or her address information on the back of the reader card. During individual recognition, graduates should hand their reader card to the announcer. The card is preprinted with the graduate’s college and name. Extra reader cards are available prior to the ceremony at the Registrar’s Office table located inside the Addition Financial Arena.

Honors Recognition

The university shall confer baccalaureate honors recognition on those students who have completed a minimum of 48 credit hours at UCF. Baccalaureate honors awarded will be based on the overall cumulative GPA including transfer credit at the start of the term in which they will graduate. Records for the term of graduation are incomplete at the time the commencement program is printed. For students who earn baccalaureate honors, the honor cords will only be available for purchase at the time of ticket pickup during the designated ticket-pickup week at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore on East Plaza Drive. Honor cords from various honor societies may be worn if they are the designation of an officially recognized group.

Accessibility

UCF Student Accessibility Services (SAS) will respond to completed questionnaires within 3 business days. Wheelchairs are not provided. Accessible parking is available in parking Garage D and F. Those with state disability parking permits may park in either. Mobility-impaired individuals may also be dropped off in front of the Addition Financial Arena prior to parking.

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Conduct During Ceremony

For bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates, the top of the cap may be decorated. The decoration must lay flat against the cap and extend no higher than the cap button to prevent obstructing the view of others. Doctoral tams must be returned in original condition, or a fee will be charged.

Post-Graduation Information

Diplomas and Transcripts

Diplomas and official transcripts are not provided until all degree requirements are certified by the college academic success coaching office and awarded by the Registrar’s Office. This process begins after final grades are posted and can take 4 to 6 weeks to complete. Incomplete grades, whether at UCF or a transfer institution, will prevent a candidate from graduating. If this occurs, the candidate must reapply to graduate in a later semester. Diplomas are not issued at the ceremony. Diplomas will not be issued if graduates have a hold on their accounts. Transcripts that reflect the degree earned will be available approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the ceremony once degrees are awarded. Recent graduates should not select the “hold for degree” option when ordering transcripts, as the system will interpret this as a next semester graduation and may delay processing. Please place your transcript order only after confirming your degree status shows as “Awarded” in myUCF under Intent to Graduate. Graduates may submit transcript requests online at myUCF > Student Self Service > Student Center > other academics: (drop down menu) > Transcripts: Request Official. Be sure to turn off pop-up blockers.

Options After Graduation

Remove a program: Remove a program (major, minor, or certificate) and graduate with only the completed program(s).
Enroll in another course: Enroll in another course as a Second-Degree seeking or Non-Degree student after your graduation. Once your request has been received, please allow up to 7 business days for processing. During high peak times, the processing time may be longer.

Celebrating the Milestone

Grad Walk

Graduates arrive at the Addition Financial Arena. Get your cameras ready, graduates! Strike a pose for portraits at one of the most iconic spots on campus - The Reflecting Pond. Graduates, you’re invited to walk across the commencement stage while loved ones record and photograph this milestone moment in your collegiate career. Each graduate can bring up to 10 guests. ONLY the graduate should be registered in advance. Guests aged 18 and older must bring a valid driver’s license for entry. There are no time slots. Check-in is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Photo Opportunities

Iconic Spots: The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos. Strike a pose and make memories.
UCF Downtown: UCF Downtown offers several great locations for unforgettable graduation photos. Celebrate your college journey by honoring your support system at the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons West Lobby donor wall. The Seneff Plaza, located between the East and West Wings of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, is where so many campus events and gatherings take place. The towering columns and reflective glass of Dr.
Orlando Area: Enhance your graduation photos by venturing beyond campus into the surrounding Orlando area. You barely have to step off campus to encounter the iconic Orlando sign located at Luminary Green Park.

Commencement Speakers

As chief executive officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Lance Lyttle oversees the operations and management of Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport - two premier gateways to Central Florida, one of the most visited destinations in the world. airports, where he guided significant capital projects and elevated the standard for customer service. As managing director of Aviation for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, he oversaw major milestones including the completion of the N Concourse Modernization, the International Arrivals Facility and the expansion of the Central Terminal. He also advanced significant progress on the C Concourse expansion. His aviation experience is complemented by his involvement with several professional organizations. Lyttle currently serves on the boards of the International Association of Airport Executives and the Airport Cooperative Research Program. Joe Nunziata is a driving force in the financial industry, serving as CEO for Acrisure Mortgage (formerly FBC Mortgage), one of the nation’s largest independent mortgage banks. His entrepreneurial footprint extends across Central Florida as the founder and director of One Florida Bank, a Central Florida-based community bank; and the founder and director of Trident Reciprocal Insurance, a Florida-based insurance company. He also lends his expertise as a director of FBCInsurance Agency. Nunziata’s leadership has earned him appointments by Governor Ron DeSantis to the boards of both the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and the Central Florida Expressway Authority. Nunziata’s career is marked by moments of bold strategy and impactful transitions. After FBC Mortgage was acquired by The Sterne Agee Group in 2012, he took the lead as president and CEO. Three years later, he played a key role in the company’s successful re-acquisition from Sterne Agee in 2015 and guided it through its next era of growth. Beyond business, Nunziata is deeply committed to civic engagement and philanthropy. He currently serves on the boards of the Advent Health Foundation; the Orlando Police, Seminole, Osceola, Winter Park and Orange County Sheriff Foundations; and the FBC Mortgage Charitable Foundation. A Certified Mortgage Banker through the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, Nunziata has served on the MBA’s Legislative Committee, the City of Longwood’s Board of Adjustment and the Florida Council 100. Nunziata earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida, attended summer courses at UCF and completed sessions at the London School of Economics. Originally from Pennsylvania, JoAnn Newman holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Penn State University and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University. She began her career as an engineer at AT&T Microelectronics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and relocated to Orlando with the company in 1989. Newman joined the Orlando Science Center in 2003, bringing her leadership experience to the nonprofit sector. Before being named president and CEO in 2009, she served in key roles, including as director of exhibits, vice president of operations and chief operating officer. Plinske previously held several leadership roles at Valencia College, including executive vice president and provost, as well as campus president. A Herman B Wells Scholar at Indiana University, Plinske graduated with the highest distinction, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and physics and being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She went on to complete a master’s degree in Spanish from Roosevelt University and a doctorate in education from Pepperdine University - all while working full-time.

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