ATTENTION:

Commencement parking will be more complicated this semester due to a major construction project. Please read these important parking and travel instructions.

You're almost there, graduate! Taking part in commencement is the ceremonial celebration when you can share in the excitement and joy of becoming a UNT graduate with your family and friends. We can't wait to celebrate with you.

Learn more below about the steps to apply for graduation, apply for graduation with honors and RSVP to participate in commencement events.

Distinction between Graduating and Participating in Commencement

Commencement events are the congratulatory ceremonies hosted by university officials in which students are publicly and formally recognized.

Graduation is the process of being awarded a degree after successfully completing credit hours and other degree requirements. Actual diplomas are not awarded at commencement ceremonies and participation in the ceremonies is not a guarantee of degree completion. To officially graduate from UNT, a student must apply for graduation by the posted deadline. After receipt of final grades, the student's degree audit must show the student satisfied all university, college and departmental requirements for the specific degree. A degree becomes official when it is posted to a student's transcript -- typically two to three weeks after the completion of their final term -- not by their participation in commencement exercises. A student does not have to be present at a commencement ceremony to receive their degree.

Advising is an important part of making sure you're on track to graduate and that you understand when you can expect to graduate and participate in commencement. Learn more about meeting with an advisor.

Graduation Information

Students who plan to complete degree requirements in May must apply for spring graduation. The Registrar's Office website includes all application instructions and deadlines.

• Log in to MyUNT and from the Student Center click on the “Apply for Graduation” link in the Other Academic drop down. The “Apply for Graduation” link will be visible, even if you may not be eligible for graduation at this time. Please see your academic advising office for more information.

Graduation applicants will be mailed commencement information packets approximately two weeks prior to their commencement ceremony. The information packets mailed to graduation applicants will include:

• Links to RSVP for the ceremonies. RSVPs must be received by the deadline listed in the packet.
• Official commencement name cards
• Detailed instructions that are specific to each student and the ceremony or ceremonies they will attend.

Spring Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremony

• What is it: Each college holds Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies in May for bachelor's degree candidates that feature traditional commencement elements. Candidates are called by name , walk the stage, shake hands with their college administration, and get their photo taken. Candidates wear their regalia at this event. Degrees are conferred at these events.

• Who can participate: If you graduate in May, you can participate in your college’s Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremony.
  • To participate in a Spring Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremony, a candidate for May graduation must apply for graduation by the posted deadline, receive advisor approval on their graduation application, and must RSVP that they plan to attend the ceremony. Learn more about applying for graduation
  • Undergraduate students who are planning to complete degree requirements during summer and wish to participate in the spring ceremony must receive advisor approval and apply for graduation by Feb. 15 to participate in their college’s spring commencement ceremony. These candidates must also RSVP to attend the ceremony. Learn more about applying for graduation. 

• When is it: Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremonies are held every May.

• Who can attend: Candidates can invite family and friends. Candidates and their guests are expected to remain for the duration of the ceremony.

Spring Doctoral and Master's Commencement with Doctoral/M.F.A. Hooding

• What is it: The university holds a separate ceremony in May for master's and doctoral candidates that features traditional commencement elements and recognizes their unique accomplishments. Master’s candidates process to the stage, have their name called, walk the stage and shake hands with university administration, and have their photo taken. Doctoral and M.F.A. candidates (recipients of terminal degrees) are hooded during this ceremony by their faculty mentor(s). Candidates wear their regalia at this event. Degrees are conferred at this event.

• Who can participate: Doctoral and master's students earning degrees in May will be recognized in the spring Doctoral and Master's Commencement. To participate in the spring Doctoral and Master's Commencement, doctoral and master's candidates must apply and be approved for Spring graduation by the posted deadlines, and must RSVP using the links provided in the mailed commencement packet.
  
  In order to ensure the highest quality experience for candidates and guests, we must limit who is eligible to participate in the Spring commencement ceremony. Due to the large number of Spring candidates, Summer Doctoral and Master’s candidates are invited to participate in the Fall commencement ceremony.  Exceptions to this are outlined below.  Please note students who are allowed to participate in the ceremony by exception will not be listed in the commencement program handed out to guests and must notify the Toulouse Graduate School (graduation@unt.edu) of their intent to participate.
  • Master’s candidates who are not completing a thesis must have completed all degree requirements by the posted deadline for Spring graduation and be enrolled in final coursework during Spring. 
  • Master’s candidates who defend and submit their final thesis prior to the last class day of the Spring semester are eligible to participate in the Spring ceremony, provided their major professor and department chair approve the request and forward it to the Toulouse Graduate School.
  • Doctoral candidates who defend and submit their final dissertation prior to the last class day of the Spring semester are eligible to participate in the Spring ceremony, provided their major professor and department chair approve the request and forward it to the Toulouse Graduate School.
  • Substantial and exceptional circumstances warranting ceremony participation prior to degree completion require the approval of the appropriate college dean or associate dean. Please contact the Toulouse Graduate School or your dean’s office for further information. Examples of exceptional circumstances include:
    • A candidate with family overseas who has purchased tickets well in advance and has obtained visas for the specific occasion/date.
    • An international candidate whose family has a valid visa that will soon expire and the family fears they cannot get back into the U.S. to attend a later ceremony. 
    • A candidate with a job overseas starting before ceremony date. 
    • A candidate with a parent with a terminal illness who wants to know their child has gotten the degree before he/she passes. 
• Who can attend: Graduates may invite family and friends. Graduates and their guests are expected to remain for the duration of the ceremony.

Commencement Events Details

Graduation Packets

Graduation packets mailed to candidates approximately two weeks prior to their ceremony contain important instructions that candidates need to follow before and during the events.

• Learn more about the different events.
• To find out when and where your event will be, check the Spring 2019 commencement schedule.

UNT Grad Block Party

• What is it: A celebration of everything our 2019 grads have accomplished, filled with festivities, including commemorative giveaways, a special gift for graduates, festival-type food, food trucks, live music, games, photo ops, Scrappy, one drawing for a free class ring and another for free diploma frames, a special ice cream flavor in honor of graduation, and UNT merchandise and memorabilia available for purchase. Everything wraps up with a mock champagne toast, fireworks and the UNT Alma Mater at dark.

• Where is it: Along Highland Street, on the Union South Lawn and in the Library Mall.

• When is it: 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. on Friday, May 10

• Who can attend: All UNT graduates from the current academic year along with family and friends. Current students, faculty and staff can also attend to celebrate with graduates. Bring your tassel and UNT ID to receive your free graduation gift and to be entered into the drawings.

• Why: Because you've earned it!

Line-up and Recognition

Spring Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremony

• Line-up for the Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremonies will begin one hour prior to the event in the respective venue. There will be signage directing candidates where to line up at each event.
• Candidates will process into the respective venue and be seated as directed by commencement marshals.
• Candidates will be called to the stage by name for individual recognition so they need to bring the name card that was included in their information packet. The name card will also indicate the student's position in the line-up.
• Candidates should watch for cues from marshals who will indicate when and where candidates should approach the stage.
• Candidates will walk up the stairs and hand their name cards to the announcer before they walk onto the stage. Wheelchair lifts or ramps will be available for those with mobility concerns. Candidates should make note of this need on their RSVP information.

Spring Doctoral and Master’s Commencement

• Line-up for the Doctoral and Master’s Commencement will begin one hour before the event starts.
• Candidates will take part in a formal processional into the venue and will be seated as directed by commencement marshals.
• Candidates will be called to the stage by name for individual recognition so they need to bring the name card that was included in their information packet. The name card will indicate the student's position in the line-up.
• Candidates should watch for cues from marshals who will indicate when and where candidates should approach the stage.Candidates will walk up the stairs and hand their name cards to the announcer before they walk onto the stage. Wheelchair lifts or ramps will be available for those with mobility concerns. Candidates should make note of this need on their RSVP information.
• Doctoral and M.F.A. candidates (recipients of terminal degrees) will be hooded by their mentor professor(s).

Regalia

Graduates will wear official approved regalia for all formal commencement events. All arrangements for regalia approved by the university should be made with the official provider, Barnes and Noble at UNT, located inside the University Union, 1155 Union Cir, Denton, TX, 76203 (940-565-2592). Master’s and bachelor’s candidates will receive a tassel as part of their regalia purchase or rental.

Mean Green Gowns for Grads

We know some of our undergraduate students are not able to afford the price of a cap and gown and therefore do not walk across the stage to celebrate this huge academic accomplishment. The Dean of Students office has created the “Mean Green Gowns for Grads” program to support our low income and first generation University of North Texas students with a free rental of graduation caps and gowns. In addition to a cap and gown, recepients will also have the option to participate in a free photo session to provide them with graduation pictures. Learn more about the program and how to apply.

Attire

Graduates are encouraged to wear semi-formal attire such as dresses, skirts, slacks and dress shirts, made of cool fabrics with comfortable dress shoes. Please do not bring handbags, umbrellas, extra shoes or coats as there will not be a place to store them during the ceremony. You may carry in your cell phone and keys but during the Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremonies and the Doctoral and Master’s Commencement, there will not be a secure place to leave these items as you cross the stage. If you choose to bring these items into the ceremony, you must leave them at your own risk in your seat while you cross the stage.

Guests

Graduates can invite family and friends.

Photo

Graduates will have their photo taken by professional photographers during the Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremonies and the Doctoral and Master's Commencement. A posed photo will be taken with your diploma cover, and a candid shot will be taken as you shake hands with university officials. Proofs of these photos will be emailed from Flash Photography to the graduate’s UNT email address in the weeks following the ceremony.