Congratulations on reaching this exciting milestone! Use this page as your go-to resource for everything you need to know about the Honors Ceremony, UCSB-based "Honors awards", UCSB Commencement, and more. As you prepare to graduate, we’re here to help you navigate the final steps of your undergraduate journey and celebrate your achievements.
Almost there! Final steps to get ready for Graduation.
Complete the Honors Candidacy Completion Form
Due Monday April 14th
To receive Completion of the Honors Program recognition on your UCSB transcript, students must submit the 'Intent to Complete the Honors Program' form by the end of the second week of the quarter in which the student has declared degree candidacy. Honors staff will review completion forms after the submission deadline and email students their status within 2-3 weeks. To be approved, students must maintain continued eligibility for the Honors Program during their time at UCSB, and must complete the Honors Program/Award requirements by the time their degree is finalized.
Intent to Complete Honors Program form
Specific requirements may apply to the year you joined the program. For unique cases not addressed in the criteria below, contact Honors Advisors at honorsmail@ltsc.ucsb.edu. Students participating in Commencement before the quarter they complete their degree requirements, should refer to the FAQs section below about the form submission deadline.
Optional: Submit your Academic Achievement Award Form.
The Academic Engagement Award is given to Honors students who go above and beyond the Honors Program's standard requirements. Honors students seeking the Academic Engagement Award must complete the criteria for Completion of the Honors Program, maintain a 3.5 cumulative UC GPA and complete a capstone experience.
Participate in the Honors Program Ceremony & Reception.
Friday, June 13th, 1:00-2:15pm
Cheadle Hall
Honors students who have completed the Honors Program criteria and have submitted the Honors Candidacy Completion form, will receive an invitation via email in May to participate in the Honors Program Ceremony & Reception. Please note the commencement ceremony is entirely optional and not a graduation requirement.
Honors Fourragère Cord information: Students will be emailed mid-May with details
No guest tickets are required, information on the number of allowed guests will be in the mid-May email.
Declare Candidacy on GOLD.
You will need to alert the Office of the Registrar of your intent to complete your degree requirements by declaring degree candidacy. Under the "Progress" tab on GOLD, select "Graduation & Commencement", select the quarter you expect to complete all degree requirements and click 'Declare Candidacy'. You will also have the option to make a general commencement reservation, which can be done in addition to participating in the honors commencement ceremony.
FAQs for Honors Ceremony & Graduation
No tickets are required for the honors commencement ceremony.
Please review the program requirements here first, then either join honors drop-in advising or email honorsmail@ltsc.ucsb.edu with questions.
Students that have graduated Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, and Spring 2025 that have submitted their Intent to Complete the Honors Program Form will receive an Evite to their Umail in Mid-May. Please RSVP to this invitation for the Honors Ceremony and Reception.
Absolutely! Commencement ceremonies are only held in the Spring quarter, and all degree candidates from that calendar year can be included. As a Summer or Fall degree candidate, please submit your intent to graduate form during the first two weeks of Spring quarter so you will be included in our email communications. Winter quarter degree candidates will automatically be included as well.
Diploma- GPA based honors at graduation, distinction in the major
Transcript- College honors, GPA-based honors at graduation, distinction in the major, completion of the Letters & Science honors program, and quarterly Dean's honors.
We will email those students in Mid-May. You may purchase the Fourragere at the bookstore.
Honors cords will be given on stage at the Honors Ceremony on June 13th. If you are unable to attend the ceremony you may stop by our office at 1117 Cheadle Hall in the Academic Advising Office prior to graduation to pick one up. Please have your student ID with you.
Students do not wear their cap and gown. Please dress in nice attire for the event.