Convocation

Registration for Spring 2024 Convocation has closed as of April 12, 2024.

Thank you for registering for the 2024 Graduate School Convocation. A record number of graduate students and their guests will attend the master’s ceremony this year, and we have reached capacity. We are so excited to celebrate with you and your guests. Unfortunately, there will be no additional guest tickets available for the master’s ceremony. However, we will be live streaming the ceremony, so your guests are able to watch from all around the globe.

Eligibility for participation extends to students who graduated in the preceding summer or fall term, as well as those who have applied to graduate and fulfilled all their degree requirements for the current spring term.

This year, we are implementing a new system called Marching Order to streamline the RSVP and communication process for the Graduate School Convocation ceremony. It is mandatory for all students planning to participate in the 2024 Graduate School Convocation ceremony to RSVP. Please note that attendance at the Graduate School Convocation is optional. 

Starting on February 26, 2024, eligible graduates will be sent an email invitation to the Graduate School Convocation. To participate, you must complete the registration process outlined in the email. Once registered, you will claim the allotted number of digital guest tickets available. 

For the master’s ceremony, graduates will receive up to 3 tickets, and for the doctoral ceremony, graduates will receive up to 5 tickets. Graduates are responsible for securing their guest’s digital tickets. 

All participants in the ceremony must wear regalia, which can be purchased from the University Co-op. Regalia orders should be placed by the deadline specified on the University Co-op website.

Doctoral PURCHASE Priority Ordering Date: March 1, 2024

Doctoral RENTAL Priority Ordering Date: March 29, 2024

Master's PURCHASE Priority Ordering Date: April 12, 2024

Graduates do not need a ticket to participate in the Graduate School Convocation if they have applied to graduate and have been approved, but graduates are responsible for securing their guest’s digital tickets.

For all family and guests (aged two years and above) attending the ceremony, tickets are mandatory. Each approved graduate will be allocated a specified number of tickets. These guest tickets are for general admission, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Importantly, these tickets are free of charge. 

Master’s graduates will receive up to 3 tickets after registering, and doctoral graduates will receive up to 5 tickets after registering. We ask that graduates only claim the number of digital guest tickets needed. 

As of April 15, 2024, a record number of graduate students and their guests will attend the master’s ceremony this year, and we have reached capacity. Unfortunately, there will be no additional guest tickets available for the master’s ceremony.

You MUST be registered for Convocation to claim tickets for your guests.

Livestream
For any guest without a ticket, the ceremony will also be streamed online. The link will be provided on the day of the ceremony. 

Master's Ceremony: Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. Graduates arriving after 8:15 a.m. will be seated backstage.

Doctoral Ceremony: Check-in begins at 10:30 am. Graduates arriving after 11:15 am will be seated backstage.

Participation in walking across the stage during the ceremony is limited to graduates, except in cases where assistance is required, and an approved accommodation has been granted through the Office for Students with Disabilities.

On the day of the ceremony, graduates are required to check in with Convocation staff. It is essential that graduates arrive fully dressed in their regalia. Please note that personal items such as backpacks, purses, or coats cannot be brought into the venue, nor carried across the stage with you. There is no secure area available for storage. To ensure convenience, we recommend carrying cell phones and keys on wristbands or utilizing clothing with pockets beneath the regalia.

The University arranges for professional photos of each graduate as they walk across the stage to receive congratulations during the ceremony. Graduates and their families have the option to purchase these photographs, but there is no obligation to do so. Photography provides complimentary color proofs to each graduate, which are sent to their permanent address within two weeks of graduation. In the event that you do not receive your proof or if you prefer to place your order by phone or email, please contact Flash Photography at 1-800-410-8070 or visit flashphotography.com.

Accessibility at Bass Performance Hall

Wheelchair Assistance
The university is unable to provide wheelchairs for individual use. Those requiring wheelchairs or other supportive equipment for the duration of their time here in Austin should plan on making their own accommodations for the equipment prior to arriving on campus. Families interested in renting wheelchairs are encouraged to contact a local provider.

Our team members are available to assist in guiding guests to their designated seating areas upon request. To ensure a seamless experience, please reach out to the Graduate School Convocation team with specific instructions regarding your needs.

While every effort will be made to accommodate requests, please be aware that last-minute requests may be challenging for us to fulfill.

Language Accessibility
Live interpretation services will be provided for both Spanish language and American Sign Language during the ceremony. A limited number of headsets will be available for checkout for Spanish language interpretation. Individuals requiring access to American Sign Language interpreters are encouraged to contact the Graduate School staff in advance to make necessary arrangements.

Parking
Complimentary parking will be offered in all university parking garages and on most surface lots. The closest parking garage is the San Jacinto Garage located at 2400 San Jacinto Blvd. Accessible parking is available in all UT Austin garages for those displaying a valid state-issued ADA placard or license plate.

For a comprehensive overview of road closures, drop-off locations and traffic flow around Bass Concert Hall, please refer to the link here.

Drop-Off & Rideshare
The pick-up and drop-off point for guests and rideshare services to Bass Concert Hall is on DeLoss Dodds Way in front of the venue.

Parents and guests may enter Bass Concert Hall through the main entrance on 23rd Street (facing Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium). 

To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to campus, the following safety procedures will be implemented:

• Backpacks, totes, or other bags larger than 12 inches in any dimension will not be permitted inside any of the Commencement and/or Convocation venues.
• All bags are subject to search by security personnel. Attendees are kindly requested not to bring any packages that cannot be opened or inspected.
• No outside food or drink, including water, may be brought into the venue*
• The University of Texas at Austin is a tobacco-free campus
• Bass Concert Hall and McCullough Theatre are no re-entry venues

*Exceptions will be made for those with disabilities, medical requirements and/orspecial needs. Patrons with specific/special dietary needs due to disabilities, medical conditions or special needs should contact the Graduate School Convocation team prior to attending the event to arrange for reasonable accommodations.

Prohibited items include:

• All forms of tobacco and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, per UT Tobacco-Free Policy
• Large backpacks or luggage
• Outside food or drink (including water)
• Recording devices of any kind
• Cameras with detachable lenses or tripods
• Hard containers including glass and vases
• Items deemed as weapons (including pocket knives) and fireworks
• Banners, balloons and noisemakers
• Selfie-sticks
• Tablets 
• Laptops
• Pets (Trained service animals or service animals in training with identifiable vests will be allowed. Service animals must remain on leash or in a harness at all times.)

For additional information regarding Bass Concert Hall venue policies, please visit their website.

1. Will my name be read out loud?
Yes, during the ceremony, the names, programs, and doctoral supervisors of attending graduates will be read aloud. Additionally, doctoral graduates will be hooded by their dissertation supervisor or dean. All graduates will have the opportunity to walk across the stage.

2. Are extra tickets available?
Convocation tickets will be released in phases. After all graduates have registered to participate and claimed their initial allotted number of guest tickets, any additional tickets available will be communicated via email to all registered participants. 4/15/24 Update: A record number of graduate students and their guests will attend the master’s ceremony this year, and we have reached capacity. Unfortunately, there will be no additional guest tickets available for the master’s ceremony.

3. What if I forget to register for convocation by April 12, 2024? 
Contact the Graduate School at GS.Commencement@austin.utexas.edu.

4. May I participate in the ceremony if I do not complete all requirements for my degree during the spring semester? 
No, participation in the ceremony requires the completion of all degree requirements, including the dissertation defense and submission of final paperwork, by the end of the spring semester.

5. May I participate in convocation if I completed all my degree requirements in a previous semester? 
Yes, graduates who have completed all degree requirements in a previous semester are welcome to participate in Convocation. Please ensure to register for the ceremony by April 12, 2024.

6. Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?
No, diplomas will not be distributed at the ceremony. Approximately six weeks after the graduation date, your diploma will be mailed to the permanent address listed in your University of Texas at Austin directory information. If you prefer to pick up your diploma in person, please contact the Texas One Stop at 512-232-6988 to make arrangements or visit their office in Room 1 of the Main Building. To verify or update your address, please click here.

7. What should I bring to the ceremony?
Personal items such as backpacks, purses, or coats cannot be brought into the venue, and there is no secure area available for storage. To ensure convenience, we recommend carrying cell phones and keys on wristbands or utilizing clothing with pockets beneath the regalia.

8. Which colors should I choose for my academic hood and tassel?
The University Co-op has charts to determine the colors of your college or school. The University of Texas at Austin uses the “Academic Costume Code and Ceremony Guide” by the American Council on Education. Click here to view the chart.

9. My family can’t make it to the ceremony. Can they watch it online? 
Yes, we will be live streaming the ceremony, allowing your family to participate remotely. On the day of the event, the Graduate School will provide a link to view the ceremony on our website.

10. How can I find hotels for my guests? 
The Austin area offers an abundance of lodging options for visitors. Visit Austin has information to help you plan your trip. Note that Commencement brings thousands of visitors to the city; we recommend making lodging plans sooner rather than later.

11. Where can I get graduation announcements?
Invitations and announcements may be ordered from the University Co-op.

12. I am an international student and I need a letter signed by the Graduate School to assist my family in obtaining a visa to attend my graduation ceremony. How do I get this?
To obtain a letter signed by the Graduate School to assist your family in obtaining a visa for your graduation ceremony, please complete the online form. Once submitted, the Graduate School will process your request and provide you with the necessary letter.

13. Will my guests need to print their digital tickets?
Guests have the option of printing their digital tickets and bringing them to the ceremony, or can save the digital version on a mobile device. Staff will scan the QR code on each ticket for entry.

14. Am I required to attend the Graduate School Convocation ceremony?
No, students have the option for which ceremonies they attend. As a reminder, each of the University’s colleges and schools will host individual convocation ceremonies. Some departments within the larger colleges and schools may host individual ceremonies based on the size of their graduating class. There will also be the University-Wide Commencement Ceremony where deans of each college and school will recognize graduates as a group. Review the entire weekend's schedule of ceremonies.

The University-Wide Ceremony will be held May 11, 2024, at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. Separate procession tickets are required for degree candidates to participate and for guests attending the university-wide ceremony. 

The University-Wide Commencement Ceremony is hosted by the President and is the formal ceremony at which graduates of all colleges and schools at UT Austin are recognized as a group. The ceremony includes remarks from university leadership, the student body president, and the commencement speaker, as well as the official conferral of degrees by the university president. The ceremony begins with a procession of all graduates, followed by faculty and university leadership. It concludes with a fireworks display.