Graduation

The College of Natural Sciences holds graduation ceremonies once a year in May.

Spring Commencement

The college graduation ceremonies honor the undergraduates and candidates of the entire academic year (past Fall, current Spring, and future Summer). Candidates earning their masters or doctoral degree will participate in the Graduate School ceremony. Attendance at the graduation ceremonies is optional. Undergraduate ceremonies are organized by degree/major field of study.

Apply to graduate now

A decorated graduation cap seen from behind is lined in burnt orange with the shape of Texas and Texas flag with a UT longhorn where the star of Texas would be. The graduate is looking on as others cross the graduation stage.

Undergraduate Ceremonies

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023

Location: Moody Center*

*2023 marks the first year the college will host its graduation ceremonies at the Moody Center. This page will be continually updated as details about the ceremony become finalized.

Schedule:

  • 11:30 A.M.: Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry**, Environmental Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Neuroscience

    **Chemistry graduates received an email on March 2 alerting them that the website had previously indicated a different ceremony time. All chemistry majors will graduate at 11:30 a.m.

  • 3:30 P.M.: Astronomy, Computer Science, Human Development and Family Sciences, Human Ecology, Mathematics, Nutrition, Physics, Public Health, Textiles and Apparel  

The college anticipates that each ceremony will last approximately 2.5 hours. Out of respect for all graduates, please plan to be present until the end of the ceremony.

Ticket Information

Graduates do not need a ticket to participate, as long as they have applied to graduate or walk and have been approved.

Tickets are required for all family and guests (over the age of two years) attending the ceremony. Each approved graduate will be allocated 8 guests tickets. Guest tickets are general admission and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The tickets are free of charge and distribution information will be available in April.

If you plan to attend the university-wide ceremony, learn more about ticketing on the UT event site.


Participating in Graduation

Applying to Graduate

The Spring 2023 Graduation Application is open from January 9, 2023 and will close on March 21, 2023. 

Approval of your graduation application constitutes approval to participate in the May graduation ceremony. There is no need to apply to walk or notify us of your participation. If you have not yet applied to graduate, please do so now.

August 2023 candidates are defined as students who will lack 15 hours or less after completing their spring coursework.

Applying to Walk

The Spring 2023 Walk Application is open from January 9, 2023 and will close on March 21, 2023.  

You may apply to "walk" in the May graduation ceremony if:

  • You received a degree from CNS in the previous fall semester, OR
  • You currently have fifteen (15) hours or fewer needed to complete your degree requirements

Do not submit a Walk Application if you intend to graduate in the spring. Complete the graduation application instead.

 

Preparations & Expectations

Regalia is Required

Academic regalia is required for all ceremony participants. Bachelor regalia may be purchased from the University Co-op. The tassel color for B.A., B.S.A. and B.S. graduates in the College of Natural Sciences is gold/yellow. Bachelor's regalia should be ordered by the published deadline on the University Co-Op site.

Invitations

Formal invitations to send to family and friends may also be purchased from the University Co-op.

Parking

For the latest updates to campus parking, please visit the university Commencement Weekend Parking page.

Accommodations

Accommodation requests for graduates or their guests should be made at least five business days prior to commencement activities. While every effort will be made, we may be unable to fulfill last-minute requests. Please address accommodation requests to ns.student.records@austin.utexas.edu.

Personal Items

Graduates should not bring personal items such as purses or coats to the ceremony. There is no secure area in which to leave them. We recommend carrying cell phones and keys on wrist bands or in clothing with pockets.

Photography

The University coordinates professional photos of each graduation candidate as he or she walks across the stage to be congratulated during CNS ceremonies. Graduates and families have the option of purchasing photographs. There is no obligation to do so. Flash Photography provides free color proofs to each graduate. Proofs are mailed to the permanent address within two weeks of graduation. If you do not receive your proof, or if you wish to place your order by phone or email, please contact Flash Photography at 1-800-410-8070 or at flashphotography.com.


 

Orange tower with fireworks

UT Ceremony

The University-wide ceremony will be held May 6, 2023 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Procession tickets are required for degree candidates to participate and for guests attending the University wide ceremony. More information about tickets may be found here.

The college graduation ceremonies provide an occasion for recognizing degree candidates individually as they cross the stage while their name is announced. 

The university-wide commencement ceremony takes place following the college ceremonies and is the culmination of Commencement weekend. Degree candidates from every college and school are eligible to participate. At this ceremony, students are recognized with others from their college as a group rather than individually. The ceremony includes a distinguished speaker, conferring of degrees by the president and the traditional lighting of the Tower in orange to honor graduates. The celebration concludes with a fireworks display.