Commencement
The University’s commencement ceremonies are held in December and May. Students earning bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees are only permitted to participate in the commencement ceremony for their college primary program of study and during their final term of coursework. Please note, students enrolled in the 4+1 Master in Business Administration program and the 4+1 Master of Science in Marketing program who have not completed their final bachelor’s degree coursework are not eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony until they are completing their final term of coursework at the University.
Students Completing Coursework other than Fall and Spring Semesters
The University allows students who are expected to complete their final coursework other than within the Fall and Spring semesters to take part in the commencement ceremony immediately preceding or immediately following the term of their degree completion. Students who elect to participate in the ceremony immediately preceding the term of their degree completion understand that no degree is awarded, nor does participation in the ceremony imply the student has completed a course of study. Graduation honors will not be announced for these candidates, as they will not have completed their requirements by the date of the ceremony.
The May commencement program will list degree candidates for May and August. The December commencement program will list the graduates from August and degree candidates for December.
It is the policy of the University for students who are completing their final coursework in Fall that they are permitted to only take part in the December commencement ceremony and may not participate in the May commencement ceremony. Students who are completing their final coursework in Spring are permitted to only take part in the May commencement ceremony and may not participate in the December commencement ceremony.
Ceremony Participation Exceptions
The University recognizes that in some instances, there are circumstances that may require a student to request an exception to participate in a ceremony that does not align with their final term of coursework or college ceremony. Exceptions may include international travel for family members and medical needs. Requests for exceptions must include the following information:
- Name of student requesting exception
- Semester and year of requested ceremony of participation
- Rationale for requests
- Supporting documentation which may include plane tickets, travel plans and medical paperwork
Commencement participation exceptions must be submitted to commencement@ut.edu by Nov. 1 for the December commencement ceremony and by April 1 for the May commencement ceremony. Office of Orientation and Family Engagement will make the final decision regarding commencement participation exceptions.
Questions on the policies pertaining to participation in the commencement ceremony should be directed to the Office of Orientation and Family Engagement at commencement@ut.edu.