Master's and Doctoral Degrees | Bachelor's Degrees | Participating in Commencement

Participating in Commencement

The Difference Between Commencement and Graduation

Completing the work required to earn an academic degree is a separate event than the public commencement ceremony that symbolically commemorates that academic achievement. In fact, UT Arlington students who participate in commencement ceremonies are considered "candidates" for graduation. The final awarding of degrees and honors is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the appropriate requirements by each candidate.

Their graduation is not official until grades are posted, outstanding fees are paid and transcripts are completed. Only then do graduates receive their official diploma, which is sent to them several weeks after the end of their final semester.

Commencement Ceremonies at UT Arlington

UT Arlington holds commencement ceremonies every May and December. Students who have completed or are scheduled to complete their requirements for graduation in May are invited to participate in their School or College commencement ceremony in May. Students who have completed or are scheduled to complete their requirements for graduation in August or December are invited to participate in their School or College commencement ceremony in December.

Commencement Protocol

An academic commencement is a formal ceremony, where decorum and respect for the customs of the occasion enhances the experience for the graduates and their guests alike. Therefore, in accordance with hundreds of years of academic tradition, students, guests, and the platform party are asked to observe the following:

Graduates must wear formal academic attire which is available at the UT Arlington Bookstore. Advance degree candidates click here for more information. Bachelor's degree candidates click here for more information.
Graduates and their family and guests must arrive as scheduled to attend their School or College commencement ceremony.
Doors open and guest seating begins one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.
Possession of a ticket does not guarantee admittance. Anyone arriving more than ten minutes late to a ceremony will not be permitted into the event venue.
All attendees must remain seated during the ceremony.
Cell phones and pagers must be turned off.
No food or drink permitted in the event venue.
All graduates and their guests are asked to remain for the entire ceremony out of respect for all university graduates.
The possession or use of alcohol, noisemakers, firecrackers, balloons, flags, banners or illegal substances is strictly prohibited.
Any graduate or guest who is excessively disruptive during the commencement ceremony will be excused from the event venue.

Registering to Participate in Commencement

Students must indicate their intent to participate in Commencement ceremonies by registering with the dean’s office for their college or school. This is in addition to applying for graduation with the Registrar’s office. Please visit your college or school’s Web site for more information and deadlines:

Guest Attendance and Tickets

Candidates for graduation are encouraged to invite family and friends to help them celebrate their graduation. All family and guests must have a ticket to attend the commencement ceremony and are encouraged to arrive one hour early to ensure seating. Children over the age of two years must have a ticket. Each School and College determines the number of tickets available for guests, and guest tickets will be available for graduating students to claim and print 3-4 weeks prior to their commencement ceremony at www.utagraduationtickets.com. An e-mail will be sent to all graduating students' University e-mail address, notifying them of guest ticket availability and procedures for download.

Ceremony Information

Location

All commencement ceremonies are held in the College Park Center unless otherwise noted.

Graduate Arrival Time

The academic processional, consisting of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree candidates, participating faculty, and platform party members will assemble inside the College Park Center west entrance one hour before their School or College ceremony begins. Engineering candidates: degree candidates, participating faculty and platform party members will assemble at the Nedderman Hall Atrium one hour before the ceremony begins.

Do not bring personal items such as purses, bags or cell phones. At the lineup site, all candidates will be grouped by degree or major and will receive a card on which they can confirm the phonetic spelling of their name as they would like it to be read on stage.

Family and Guest Arrival Time

To allow for parking, the walk or shuttle ride to the event venue, and ticket collection, it is strongly recommended that guests arrive 60 minutes prior to their student’s School or College ceremony.

Late Arrival

Guests arriving more than ten minutes late will not be permitted into the venue.

Assembly and Robing

In accordance with tradition, all participants in commencement ceremonies are expected to dress in full academic regalia with the exception of the keynote speaker. Appropriate business attire should be worn underneath the gowns. Graduates will be directed to line up in order of program and major, and will walk together in those groups, be seated, and receive their degrees according to those groups.

Prelude

Special thanks to the UT Arlington Jazz Orchestra, Tim Ishii, Director, for providing the music during all commencement ceremonies.

Processional

The academic processional begins when the graduates and platform party leave the lineup site, led by an appointee of the University called the marshal. From this point in time until the completion of the recessional after the ceremony, the traditionally formal protocol of the occasion directs the proceedings, and the respectful solemnity of all participants and guests is expected.

Seating for Graduates

Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree candidates will be seated on the floor level at the front of arena.

Seating for Guests

Guests will be seated in arena seating. Wheelchair and handicapped seating is available upon request. Strollers are discouraged and not permitted in the aisles but can be checked in to the Box Office.

Presentation of Degrees

After introductions and keynote address, candidates will participate in the ceremonial presentation of degrees (hard copies of diplomas will be mailed 4-6 weeks following commencement). Doctoral degree candidates are called to the stage first and acknowledged individually, then master's degree candidates, then bachelor's degree candidates. A professional photographer will take two photos of each degree candidate crossing the stage. The listing of a student's name in the printed program in no way implies or ensures his or her graduation or the award of honors.

Recessional

The academic recessional, led by the marshal, concludes the formal program. After the graduates and platform party have completed the recessional, guests will be guided to the reception area.

Mementos

Before and after each commencement ceremony, representatives from the UT Arlington Bookstore and the Student Alumni Association will provide graduates and their families the opportunity to purchase commemorative items and roses.

Photos and Videos

Photos

Flash Photography provides the official professional photography at all UT Arlington commencement ceremonies. Flash photographers will take two individual photographs of each graduate as he/she crosses the stage to be recognized during each School and College ceremony. Complimentary proofs will be mailed to graduates one week after the ceremony. Please direct questions and inquiries to Flash Photography.

During the ceremony, all guests must remain in their seats and are not permitted in the graduates' seating area, in the aisles or adjacent to the stage. Thus, personal photography inside the venue is not permitted except those photos taken from the guests' seat.

Personal photographs may be taken after the commencement ceremony. Designated photo spots with backdrops appropriate to the occasion will be available in convenient locations outside of the venue.

Videos

During each School and College ceremony, video will be recorded and shown on two large video screens on either side of the stage, providing an unobstructed and close-up view. Videos will be available for viewing on the Commencement Videos page.

Requests for Accommodation

Two large video screens on the stage will provide an unobstructed and close-up view of the ceremony. Designated handicapped seating for graduates is available upon request. Sign language will be provided during every School and College commencement ceremony. Students and their family, friends and guests who require additional accommodation should contact the Box Office at 817-272-9595.


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Message from the President Schedule of Events Ticket Information About Commencement Directions & Accommodations Graduation Celebration Photos and Videos Contact Information Information For Graduates Guests Faculty	Master's and Doctoral Degrees \| Bachelor's Degrees \| Participating in Commencement Participating in Commencement The Difference Between Commencement and Graduation Completing the work required to earn an academic degree is a separate event than the public commencement ceremony that symbolically commemorates that academic achievement. In fact, UT Arlington students who participate in commencement ceremonies are considered "candidates" for graduation. The final awarding of degrees and honors is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the appropriate requirements by each candidate. Their graduation is not official until grades are posted, outstanding fees are paid and transcripts are completed. Only then do graduates receive their official diploma, which is sent to them several weeks after the end of their final semester. Commencement Ceremonies at UT Arlington UT Arlington holds commencement ceremonies every May and December. Students who have completed or are scheduled to complete their requirements for graduation in May are invited to participate in their School or College commencement ceremony in May. Students who have completed or are scheduled to complete their requirements for graduation in August or December are invited to participate in their School or College commencement ceremony in December. Commencement Protocol An academic commencement is a formal ceremony, where decorum and respect for the customs of the occasion enhances the experience for the graduates and their guests alike. Therefore, in accordance with hundreds of years of academic tradition, students, guests, and the platform party are asked to observe the following: Graduates must wear formal academic attire which is available at the UT Arlington Bookstore. Advance degree candidates click here for more information. Bachelor's degree candidates click here for more information. Graduates and their family and guests must arrive as scheduled to attend their School or College commencement ceremony. Doors open and guest seating begins one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Possession of a ticket does not guarantee admittance. Anyone arriving more than ten minutes late to a ceremony will not be permitted into the event venue. All attendees must remain seated during the ceremony. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off. No food or drink permitted in the event venue. All graduates and their guests are asked to remain for the entire ceremony out of respect for all university graduates. The possession or use of alcohol, noisemakers, firecrackers, balloons, flags, banners or illegal substances is strictly prohibited. Any graduate or guest who is excessively disruptive during the commencement ceremony will be excused from the event venue. Registering to Participate in Commencement Students must indicate their intent to participate in Commencement ceremonies by registering with the dean’s office for their college or school. This is in addition to applying for graduation with the Registrar’s office. Please visit your college or school’s Web site for more information and deadlines: Architecture Business Education and Health Professions Engineering Honors College Liberal Arts Nursing Science Social Work University College Urban and Public Affairs Fort Worth Center Guest Attendance and Tickets Candidates for graduation are encouraged to invite family and friends to help them celebrate their graduation. All family and guests must have a ticket to attend the commencement ceremony and are encouraged to arrive one hour early to ensure seating. Children over the age of two years must have a ticket. Each School and College determines the number of tickets available for guests, and guest tickets will be available for graduating students to claim and print 3-4 weeks prior to their commencement ceremony at www.utagraduationtickets.com. An e-mail will be sent to all graduating students' University e-mail address, notifying them of guest ticket availability and procedures for download. Ceremony Information Location All commencement ceremonies are held in the College Park Center unless otherwise noted. Graduate Arrival Time The academic processional, consisting of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree candidates, participating faculty, and platform party members will assemble inside the College Park Center west entrance one hour before their School or College ceremony begins. Engineering candidates: degree candidates, participating faculty and platform party members will assemble at the Nedderman Hall Atrium one hour before the ceremony begins. Do not bring personal items such as purses, bags or cell phones. At the lineup site, all candidates will be grouped by degree or major and will receive a card on which they can confirm the phonetic spelling of their name as they would like it to be read on stage. Family and Guest Arrival Time To allow for parking, the walk or shuttle ride to the event venue, and ticket collection, it is strongly recommended that guests arrive 60 minutes prior to their student’s School or College ceremony. Late Arrival Guests arriving more than ten minutes late will not be permitted into the venue. Assembly and Robing In accordance with tradition, all participants in commencement ceremonies are expected to dress in full academic regalia with the exception of the keynote speaker. Appropriate business attire should be worn underneath the gowns. Graduates will be directed to line up in order of program and major, and will walk together in those groups, be seated, and receive their degrees according to those groups. Prelude Special thanks to the UT Arlington Jazz Orchestra, Tim Ishii, Director, for providing the music during all commencement ceremonies. Processional The academic processional begins when the graduates and platform party leave the lineup site, led by an appointee of the University called the marshal. From this point in time until the completion of the recessional after the ceremony, the traditionally formal protocol of the occasion directs the proceedings, and the respectful solemnity of all participants and guests is expected. Seating for Graduates Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree candidates will be seated on the floor level at the front of arena. Seating for Guests Guests will be seated in arena seating. Wheelchair and handicapped seating is available upon request. Strollers are discouraged and not permitted in the aisles but can be checked in to the Box Office. Presentation of Degrees After introductions and keynote address, candidates will participate in the ceremonial presentation of degrees (hard copies of diplomas will be mailed 4-6 weeks following commencement). Doctoral degree candidates are called to the stage first and acknowledged individually, then master's degree candidates, then bachelor's degree candidates. A professional photographer will take two photos of each degree candidate crossing the stage. The listing of a student's name in the printed program in no way implies or ensures his or her graduation or the award of honors. Recessional The academic recessional, led by the marshal, concludes the formal program. After the graduates and platform party have completed the recessional, guests will be guided to the reception area. Mementos Before and after each commencement ceremony, representatives from the UT Arlington Bookstore and the Student Alumni Association will provide graduates and their families the opportunity to purchase commemorative items and roses. Photos and Videos Photos Flash Photography provides the official professional photography at all UT Arlington commencement ceremonies. Flash photographers will take two individual photographs of each graduate as he/she crosses the stage to be recognized during each School and College ceremony. Complimentary proofs will be mailed to graduates one week after the ceremony. Please direct questions and inquiries to Flash Photography. During the ceremony, all guests must remain in their seats and are not permitted in the graduates' seating area, in the aisles or adjacent to the stage. Thus, personal photography inside the venue is not permitted except those photos taken from the guests' seat. Personal photographs may be taken after the commencement ceremony. Designated photo spots with backdrops appropriate to the occasion will be available in convenient locations outside of the venue. Videos During each School and College ceremony, video will be recorded and shown on two large video screens on either side of the stage, providing an unobstructed and close-up view. Videos will be available for viewing on the Commencement Videos page. Requests for Accommodation Two large video screens on the stage will provide an unobstructed and close-up view of the ceremony. Designated handicapped seating for graduates is available upon request. Sign language will be provided during every School and College commencement ceremony. Students and their family, friends and guests who require additional accommodation should contact the Box Office at 817-272-9595.
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