Preliminary Information

The University of Tennessee’s official Fall Commencement ceremonies will be held during the weekend of December 10–11 at Food City Center, unless otherwise noted.

Ceremony Assignments

• Bachelor’s degree candidates participate in ceremonies organized by their college.
• Master’s degree candidates participate in a single university-wide master’s ceremony.
• Doctoral degree candidates participate in a separate doctoral hooding ceremony.

Doctoral graduates are individually hooded on stage as part of the ceremony. Master’s graduates will cross the stage but are not hooded. Master’s and doctoral graduates do not participate in the college-based undergraduate ceremonies.

These ceremonies are the only commencement events officially hosted by the university. Colleges, departments, and student organizations may choose to host additional receptions, celebrations, or recognition events. Information and registration for those events are managed by the sponsoring unit.

Graduates are assigned to a specific ceremony and may not change ceremonies once assigned.

Graduation vs. Commencement

The official graduation date listed on the academic calendar and graduation application is the date printed on your diploma and transcript. It may not correspond to the date of your commencement ceremony. Please refer to your semester’s ceremony information page for your assigned ceremony date and time.

Applying for graduation and registering for commencement are separate processes. Students must first apply for graduation before becoming eligible to register for commencement.

Commencement Registration

Eligible students will receive an email invitation from [email protected] with registration instructions:

• Late February for spring ceremonies
• Late September for fall ceremonies

After registration opens, newly approved graduation applicants will receive an invitation the Monday following submission of their graduation application. Reminder emails will continue until a response is received.

Fall 2026 commencement registration opens in October.

Registration deadlines typically occur:

• April for spring ceremonies
• November for fall ceremonies

After registration closes, graduates should contact [email protected] regarding participation options.

Participation in commencement is voluntary and not required to graduate. Diplomas are not distributed during the ceremony.

Summer Graduates

The university does not host a summer commencement ceremony.

• Undergraduate students completing degree requirements during the summer may generally participate in either the spring or fall ceremony, provided graduation deadlines are met.
• Non-thesis master’s students may typically choose between the spring or fall ceremony.
• Doctoral and thesis-based graduate students may not participate in commencement until all degree requirements are completed and an official graduation date has been established. As a result, summer doctoral graduates are generally not eligible to participate in the preceding spring ceremony.

Questions regarding graduate student eligibility should be directed to [email protected].

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About the Ceremonies

Commencement ceremonies typically last approximately two and a half hours, and graduates are expected to remain for the entire ceremony.

Ceremony Features

• Professional photographs will be taken throughout the ceremony by Big Orange Professional Photography (BOPP).
• Graduates cross the stage using an ADA-compliant ramp as their names are announced.
• Guest tickets are not currently required for ceremonies at Food City Center.
• All ceremonies are webcast live on the semester’s ceremony information webpage.
• Guest seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance.

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Parking and Arena Entry

Heavy traffic is expected around Food City Center and surrounding parking areas before and after each ceremony. Graduates and guests should plan accordingly and allow additional travel time.

Parking Locations

For access to G10 Garage, enter from Neyland Drive across from the Wayne G. Basler Boathouse.

Additional parking is available in:

• G5/CC6 Surface Lot (adjacent to Andy Holt Tower)
• G16 Garage, Levels 1–2 (CC9) at Volunteer Boulevard and Pat Head Summitt Street

Please avoid parking in designated Staff (S) lots, as many ceremonies occur during regular university business hours.

Traffic Recommendations

To help avoid congestion near the Lake Loudoun Boulevard and Neyland Drive intersection, consider entering campus via:

• Joe Johnson Drive
• Volunteer Boulevard West
• Volunteer Boulevard near the Student Union

Accessible parking spaces are available in all commencement parking areas. The university recommends both the G10 Garage and the G5/CC6 Surface Lot, which offers convenient pedestrian bridge access to the arena.

Additional parking areas and complimentary shuttle service may be available on select days.

For the most current parking information, maps, and transportation updates, visit the Parking & Transportation Commencement webpage.

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Additional Events

Many colleges, departments, and student organizations host special celebrations and recognition events throughout commencement weekend. Graduates should check directly with their college or department for information about any planned activities.

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Future Commencement Ceremonies

Spring 2027

Spring 2027 commencement ceremonies will take place May 13–16, 2027, at Food City Center.*

The ceremony schedule is available online.

Fall 2027

Fall 2027 commencement ceremonies will take place during the weekend of December 10, 2027, at Food City Center.*

The ceremony schedule will be released at a later date.

* Ceremony dates, times, and locations may vary for graduate, professional, and specialized academic programs.