Undergraduate students must apply for graduation with the Office of the University Registrar before they register for commencement.

Graduate and professional students must complete all requirements before applying to graduate with the Graduate School.

Registration to participate in a ceremony is a separate process and cannot be completed until the student has applied to graduate.

a {
text-decoration: none;
color: #464feb;
}
tr th, tr td {
border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;
}
tr th {
background-color: #f5f5f5;
}

No. Graduation and commencement are related but distinct milestones.

Check the current semester’s ceremony information page for the dates and times of each ceremony.

See the Parking and Transportation Commencement webpage for more information, including accessible parking.

Each ceremony lasts roughly two to two and a half hours. Graduates are required to return to their seats after they cross the stage to participate in the Alma Mater and ceremonial degree conferral at the end of the ceremony.

There will not be a rehearsal for graduates. All necessary information will be shared in a detailed email prior to the ceremonies.

No, diplomas are not distributed at the ceremony. Graduates will receive their diploma 6-8 weeks after their degree has officially been conferred by the Office of the Registrar. Graduates will receive a gift as they cross the stage.

Undergraduates: Contact the University Registrar.

Graduates: Contact the Graduate School.

Or contact [email protected] if you’re not sure who you need to speak with.

• The dress code for commencement is business casual.
• Graduates are required to wear full regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) during the ceremony.
  • The UT stole is optional.
  • Hoods are required for graduate students. They are sold separately. Hoods will not be available on-site for those who forget theirs.

Visit the VolShop website to purchase your regalia (cap and gown). Contact the VolShop if you are unsure about what you should purchase. Regalia will not be available for purchase on-site, so please plan ahead. The VolShop also hosts a Grad Finale event each semester in which students can purchase regalia on-site. Check the VolShop’s website for the dates.

We have partnered with the Graduate Student Senate and the Free Store for their Reduce, Reuse, Regalia program. Please visit the Free Store to check current availability.

Yes, you are welcomed and encouraged to decorate your cap. Note that there will be a cap tossing celebration at the end of all ceremonies except Doctoral Hooding, so be sure to keep an eye on yours if you choose to throw a decorated cap. We recommend writing your name inside the cap. We cannot guarantee that your cap will be returned to you if you throw it.

Each academic college manages its own honors cords. Contact your dean’s office for more information.

Eligible graduates will typically receive an email from their college to let them know when cords will be available for pick up. Most have a specific time frame during the semester. If you do not hear from your college and believe it is an error, reach out to your dean’s staff.

Please note that honors cords are not available on-site at commencement, unless you have worked it out with your college’s staff to bring them for you. University Events does not keep them on-hand.

Yes, organizations and academic departments may distribute their own cords, stoles, medals, or pins to recognize graduates’ academic achievements and extracurricular activities.

For example, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service provides Service Medallions and the First-Generation Initiative distributes stoles for first generation graduates at a special reception each semester.

• Information on registering for commencement is sent to each graduate’s UT email address the Monday after they apply for graduation beginning after registration opens each semester (typically September and February). It is critical that graduates check their university email to stay updated and meet all deadlines.
• Commencement registration forms are personalized to the graduate. They cannot be forwarded.
• You will receive an automatic confirmation email within 24 hours of submitting your registration.
• Once a registration form has been submitted, you can make changes to it by logging back into your Tassel account.
• Students who have a religious or cultural conflict with their assigned ceremony could contact [email protected] for rescheduling options.

Graduates will receive an email when registration opens. Spring registration will open in February and fall registration will open in October.

There is no fee to attend Commencement and no tickets to purchase.

The university does not host a summer commencement ceremony. Undergraduates who complete their degree requirements in the summer typically have the option to attend spring or fall ceremonies if they have applied to graduate in time for the spring ceremony.

Non-thesis master’s students can choose to walk in either ceremony.

Graduate students who have completed coursework but need to finish a thesis or dissertation may not participate in the Doctoral Hooding until their graduation date. Please contact the Graduate School at [email protected] with questions.

Nashville-based MSSW graduates are invited to attend both the Nashville and the Knoxville ceremonies. They will have separate registration forms and different contacts. If you do not plan to attend the Knoxville ceremony, please RSVP “No” when you receive your invitation. For information on the Knoxville ceremony, contact [email protected]. For information on the Nashville ceremony, please contact your Nashville-based department.

Master’s and doctoral graduates have different types of gowns and additional pieces, i.e. hoods. Hoods are sold separately. When purchasing a hood, ensure that it is the right color for your concentration. If you are unsure, ask your department head. You may also refer to our Regalia Guide.

Master’s Hood Colors

Doctoral Hood Colors

Josten’s has provided a step-by-step guide to assist you in the proper way to wear your hood. A good rule of thumb is “satin goes down”.

All doctoral and professional students are assigned to their own separate ceremony. Master’s students will also have one big ceremony. The college-based ceremonies are for bachelor’s students only.

All doctoral and professional graduates will be hooded during the doctoral hooding ceremony. Master’s-level graduates arrive wearing their hood and will not be hooded on stage. Many Master’s programs will host their own hooding ceremonies.

Master’s students will wear their hoods throughout the ceremony. They will not be hooded at the ceremony.

Doctoral candidates are hooded by their advisor, major professor, or another faculty member from their dissertation committee. Doctoral candidates will identify their hooder on their doctoral hooding registration form. While their hooder will receive an invitation to RSVP from the Commencement office, it is the responsibility of the doctoral candidate to follow up with their hooder to ensure they are able to attend. If the hooder is not available, the candidate will need to identify a replacement and contact [email protected] to update their information. In the event that no replacement hooder is available, the candidate will be hooded by their college dean.

• Visit the Accessibility Information page for more information.

• Visit the Security Information page for more information.

Yes, all ceremonies will be webcast live on the commencement website’s current ceremony information page.

Each participating graduate may bring guests. There are currently no plans to require guest tickets or limit the number of guests per graduate for the ceremonies at Food City Center.

International Student and Scholar Services has created a form for international students to use to request a commencement participation letter for visiting family members/visa purposes. Please visit their website for more information.

Refer to the clear bag policy.

Yes, colleges, departments, and affinity groups may host their own graduation celebrations. Several annual spring campus-wide traditions, including I Heart UT Week and Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee, typically take place at the end of the school year to celebrate graduates.

Graduating students have the opportunity to symbolically receive the Torch of Service during Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee, pledging to serve both the university and their community as responsible and loyal alumni. This event was formerly known as Aloha Oe. All graduates and their families are invited to participate.

Graduating students will register as part of their commencement registration. There is no separate registration form. Participants will receive additional information leading up to Torch Night.

BOPP serves as the official commencement photographer. They work with a company called Grad Images to provide online proofs of the photos. A link will be sent to each participating graduate to view and purchase the photos once they are ready. Graduates have the option to include an additional email address to receive the link on their commencement registration form. You may also search for your name and graduation year on their website to find your photos.

Programs will be available at the ceremonies. All summer graduate names will be listed in the fall commencement program. If a summer graduate applies by a certain deadline in the spring (varies from year to year), their name will also be included in the spring program.

Diplomas are not distributed at commencement. They are typically mailed approximately 6-8 weeks after the official graduation date (after final grades have been submitted and degrees have been conferred). It will be mailed to the address you provided on your graduation application.

All UT graduates automatically become members of the Alumni Association when they graduate. Visit the New Grads and Alumni Association websites to learn more about requesting a digital alumni card, updating your contact information, and receiving all of the great benefits for which UT graduates are eligible.

Yes. OIT has compiled a list of the most popular IT services; access to these services is based on the student’s official “Left UT Date,” which typically follows graduation.

UT Email and Transitioning to an Alumni Account

Students have one year to sign up for and transition to their alumni email account. OIT will send you information about your next steps; check your email periodically for instructions. You can learn more about alumni email at oit.utk.edu/alumni.

Microsoft 365 OneDrive 

Students can retain access to Office 365 OneDrive and other Office 365 online apps for one calendar year. At the end of this year, they will lose access to the files stored in their UTK OneDrive, and Microsoft will delete them. OIT recommends backing up and transferring your files to another third-party service.

Microsoft Office ProPlus 

Once a student has left the university, their Microsoft Office ProPlus subscription will end, and access to the desktop suite will be unavailable. After this time, they can purchase a consumer subscription.

Google Drive and Apps 

Access to the Google Apps, including Drive, will be available for one year.

Research Software 

Access to all research software, including ArcGIS and Qualtrics, will end on the student’s “Left UT date.” At that time, access to ArcGIS Online will also end, and any data stored in ArcGIS Online will be deleted. After leaving the university, students, faculty, and staff are no longer licensed to use any software obtained through this site and must remove it from their personal devices.

Leaving UT Checklist 

Check out this IT checklist before you leave UT.

Smokey’s Closet is an on-campus service that provides professional clothing for students. They have started an initiative to collect regalia from young alumni for students who cannot afford to buy theirs. If you are interested in donating your regalia, please contact Smokey’s Closet or drop it off during their designated donation hours.

The Free Store is another great option for donating your regalia.