Commencement is a time to celebrate, not just for graduates, but also for the family and friends who helped them reach this milestone. UNT is proud to welcome you to share in the achievements of your graduate, and we've compiled helpful information to make commencement day as enjoyable as possible for you and your graduate.
If you have questions not answered on this page, please review our frequently asked questions before emailing commencement@unt.edu for more information.
Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremonies
Undergraduate College Commencement Ceremonies (see the schedule) give graduates the opportunity to celebrate the more traditional moments of commencement. At these ceremonies, bachelor's degree candidates will be called by name, cross the stage and be recognized by their college administration. Graduates wear their regalia.
Doctoral and Master's Commencement with Doctoral/M.F.A. Hooding
Doctoral and Master's Commencement Ceremonies (see the schedule) are held each semester to recognize the accomplishments of students who completed post-graduate studies that semester, with the exception of August graduates, who may participate in the spring ceremonies if they've received approval, or participate in the ceremonies the following fall. Doctoral and M.F.A. candidates (recipients of terminal degrees) are hooded during this ceremony by their faculty mentor. Graduates wear their regalia.
The ceremonies include:
- Formal processional into UNT Coliseum or the Murchison Performing Arts Center with graduates seated as directed on the floor of the Coliseum or in the audience seats of the Murchison Performing Arts Center.
- Degree conferral, which is when the president or provost asks graduates to stand so they can be formally recognized by degree level.
- Graduates' names announced and displayed on-screen, crossing the stage, recognition by college administration and having their photo taken. Doctoral and M.F.A. candidates (recipients of terminal degrees) will be hooded by their mentor professor(s).
Virtual Commencement Experience
UNT hosts a virtual commencement option for students who cannot participate in their college's in-person ceremony. A link to the virtual experience will be added to the schedule page early on the first day of commencement each semester. The virtual commencement ceremony is not tied to in-person commencement ceremonies. Students who choose to participate in this option - and their friends and family members - may watch at their convenience. This ceremony will include a customized slide for each graduate who submits an RSVP as well as their name being read aloud, and addresses from:
- Neal Smatresk, UNT President
- Michael McPherson, provost and vice president for academic affairs
- Adam Fein, vice president for digital strategy and innovation and chief information officer
- Brandon Buzbee, vice president for advancement
Students are required to RSVP for either type of event - in-person or virtual.
Important Guest Information
Driving Directions and Parking
See the parking map and complete driving directions.
Remember! Don't rely on GPS: Exit North Texas Boulevard to access campus and follow the signs and officers' directions.
Be prepared to walk a distance from your parking spot as there is limited parking immediately adjacent to the venues. It may take up to 10 minutes to walk from some parking locations and shuttle service is not provided.
Accessible parking will be in Lot 27 along Highland Street, which is across the street from the Coliseum. Accessible parking includes handicapped parking as well as parking for guests or graduates with mobility limitations or who cannot walk for 10 minutes on a hot day. Parking lot attendants will not be checking for ADA placards and will not turn drivers away from parking in the accessible lot.
The drop-off point for graduates or guests is located on the east side of the Coliseum and can be reached via Maple Street.
A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available near the Murchison Performing Arts Center for guests attending ceremonies in the Murchison Performing Arts Center.
All ceremonies are livestreamed and will also be made available for later viewing in the week following commencement.
Ceremony Locations
Doors to the Coliseum will open one hour prior to the ceremony start time. Gates A, B, D & G will be available for entrance.
Doors to the Margot and Bill Winspear Performance Hall inside the Murchison Performing Arts Center open one hour prior to the ceremony start time.
Guests are asked to stay for the duration of the ceremony and to meet their graduate outside of the venue at the conclusion of the ceremony. Graduates will exit the Coliseum through the South Tunnel.
Seating
Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required and seat-saving is not allowed. If graduation ceremonies reach seating capacity, guests will be directed to nearby venues to watch live broadcasts of the ceremonies on television screens. Due to fire codes and safety issues, there is no standing room.
Accommodations
ADA accessible seating is available along the top rows of the lower seating area in the Coliseum. These areas are designated as such. ADA accessible seating is available at the Murchison Performing Arts Center upon request. ASL interpreters are at all commencement ceremonies and guests who need to see the interpreter should sit in Section 120 in the Coliseum. Contact commencement@unt.edu if you have further questions or need additional accommodations.
Prohibited Items
The Coliseum's Clear Bag Policy will be enforced.
The following items are not allowed in the seating area: balloons, beach balls, silly string, bubbles, glitter, Frisbees, confetti/confetti cannons, laser pointers, weapons of any kind, signs/banners, tripods/monopods/selfie sticks, and artificial noisemakers (air horns, bullhorns, whistles, etc.). The presence of non-service animals, smoking, vaping and the use of chewing tobacco also is prohibited, as UNT is a tobacco-free campus. Strollers are permitted for younger children but as a safety measure, these are not allowed in the seating area.
Metal detectors will be positioned at Coliseum entrances used by graduates, guests and platform party members. Anyone entering the Coliseum for commencement must pass through a metal detector before proceeding to the seating or staging areas.
Commencement Programs
Printed programs are not distributed at commencement ceremonies, but graduates may pick up a limited number of commencement programs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every week day during the week leading up to commencement and every week day of the week following commencement, in the UNT Alumni Center, Gateway Center, Suite 170 (801 North Texas Boulevard, Denton, Texas, 76203). In the spring, programs may also be picked up at the Class of 2023 Farewell Toast the week of commencement, held at the Alumni Pavilion.
Photos
Graduates will have their photo taken by professional photographers during their ceremony. A posed photo will be taken of them with their diploma cover, and a candid shot will be taken as they cross the stage. Flash Photography will email proofs of these photos to the graduate's UNT email address in the weeks following the ceremony. If you have questions, call Flash at 214-443-9393.
Lost and Found
If you lose an item during commencement, call the Lost & Found in the Coliseum office at 940-565-2557.
Can't attend commencement? Watch the livestream!
Graduates' friends and family who are unable to attend the ceremony in person may watch the event livestream on the commencement website.