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Spring 2027 Ceremony Information / Webcasts

Dates and Times

  • Spring 2027 ceremonies will be held in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center unless otherwise noted.
  • There is no single, university-wide commencement ceremony. Instead, graduates take part in separate ceremonies organized by degree level and college.
  • Webcast links will be posted alongside each ceremony time in advance. Until then, graduates may share the general webpage link with guests unable to attend.
  • Each ceremony is expected to last approximately two to two and a half hours.

Thursday, May 13

9:00 a.m. Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

  • All colleges except Winston College of Law and College of Veterinary Medicine
 Play Webcast TBD
2:30 p.m. Winston College of Law Ceremony Play Webcast TBD

Friday, May 14

9:00 a.m. Bachelor’s Ceremony

  • College of Arts and Sciences Last Names L – Z
  • College of Communication and Information
 Play Webcast TBD
2:30 p.m. Bachelor’s Ceremony

  • Baker School for Public Policy and Public Affairs
  • College of Arts and Sciences Last Names A – K
  • Herbert College of Agriculture
 Play Webcast TBD
7:30 p.m. Master’s Ceremony

  • All colleges except Winston College of Law
 Play Webcast TBD

Saturday, May 15

9:00 a.m. Bachelor’s Ceremony

  • College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
  • College of Social Work
  • Natalie L. Haslam College of Music
 Play Webcast TBD
2:30 p.m. Bachelor’s Ceremony

  • College of Architecture and Design
  • College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies
  • College of Nursing
  • Tickle College of Engineering
 Play Webcast TBD

Sunday, May 16

9:00 a.m. Bachelor’s Ceremony

  • Haslam College of Business Last Names L – Z
 Play Webcast TBD
2:30 p.m. Bachelor’s Ceremony

  • Haslam College of Business Last Names A – K
 Play Webcast TBD

Graduate Registration

  • Participation in commencement requires a two-step process. First, students must apply to graduate. Eligible students will receive instructions from the Office of the Registrar on how to complete this step. Second, students must register for commencement; registration is only available after a graduation application has been submitted.
  • Commencement registration opens in February. Eligible applicants will receive an email invitation at that time. Students who apply to graduate after registration has opened will receive their invitation to commencement the following Monday.
  • Participation in commencement is optional and not required for degree completion. Diplomas are not distributed at the ceremony and will be mailed to graduates approximately 6–8 weeks after their degree is officially conferred.
  • To ensure a smooth ceremony experience, applicants must register by the published deadline. Timely registration allows graduates to review their name recording and receive their “Stage Pass,” which will be distributed the week of the ceremony.
  • Graduates who miss the deadline may still participate by registering on-site. However, they will not receive advance communications, will not have their name recorded, and will be seated separately. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
  • Summer 2027 graduates are invited to participate in either the spring 2027 or fall 2027 commencement ceremonies, as no summer ceremony is held. Graduates who have already participated in the spring ceremony are not permitted to attend the fall ceremony.

Parking and Arena Entry

Map.

  • Parking and guest seating are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchair-accessible seating is located on the concourse level. To accommodate guests with limited mobility, please keep the top few rows in each section available. 
  • Parking details, including accessible parking information, are available on the Parking and Transportation Commencement webpage.
  • At this time, tickets are not required for guest entry, and all guests are welcome.
  • Doors will open for graduates and guests 90 minutes prior to the ceremony.
  • Graduates must enter at the arena floor-level media entrance near the G10 garage.
  • Guests enter through the upper-level concourse gates.
  • Graduates and guests are encouraged to bring only essential items to expedite entry and minimize lines. The university’s clear bag policy will be enforced, and all attendees are subject to security screening. The venue cannot store or secure prohibited items. Concessions will be available.

Graduate Check-in

  • Graduates must arrive and check in no later than 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.
  • Upon arrival at the student entrance, graduates will pick up their name card at designated registration tables. This card is required to locate their position in the processional line and will be scanned as they cross the stage. Graduates must not lose this card.
  • All graduates will participate in the processional, which typically begins 15 minutes before the ceremony and lasts approximately 20–30 minutes.
  • Graduates will be seated with others from their college. To ensure balanced stage crossing, seating sections are assigned alphabetically by last name—Tennessee or Volunteers—and will be indicated on each graduate’s Stage Pass. The Tennessee section is located on the left side of the arena floor facing the stage, while the Volunteers section is on the right. Section assignments are final and cannot be changed.

After the Ceremony

Graduate and Guest Exiting

  • Graduates must return to the arena floor seating area after crossing the stage and remain there until the ceremony concludes. Please note that graduates may not return to their original seat, so they are encouraged to bring only essential items into the arena.
  • Following the recognition of all graduates, both graduates and guests will stand to sing the Alma Mater.
  • Graduates are encouraged to make arrangements to meet their guests outside the venue after the ceremony. Guests are not permitted on the arena floor at any time. To allow staff adequate time to prepare for the next ceremony, all attendees are asked to exit the arena promptly.


Share your celebrations! Use #UTGrad2027 to showcase your decorated mortarboards, graduation photos, and family moments.