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Graduation

Everything you need to know about ceremonies for College of Natural Sciences graduates.

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.

Graduation Ceremonies

The College of Natural Sciences holds graduation ceremonies each May to honor candidates of the entire academic year (past Fall, current Spring, and future Summer). May 2025 participants in events at the Moody Center include undergraduate degree candidates: December 2024 graduates and May 2025 and August 2025 potential graduates.

​​​​​​Candidates earning their master’s or doctoral degree participate in the Graduate School ceremony or Computer and Data Science Online ceremony.

Attendance at the graduation ceremonies is optional; however, if you are completing an undergraduate degree, you must complete the application to graduate. 

Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025

Location: Moody Center

Undergraduate Ceremony Schedule:

  • 12:00 P.M.: Biochemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Neuroscience

  • 4:00 P.M.: Astronomy, Chemistry, 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.

 

Attending Graduation

What to Expect

At the College of Natural Sciences Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies, graduates and guests can expect a formal program with remarks from Dean David Vanden Bout, and alumni speaker and a graduate speaker. Following remarks, graduates will cross the stage with name and University Honors designation announcements while professional photos are taken.

 

  • Beginning in late February, approved graduates and walkers will receive an email to RSVP and claim tickets for their guests. Graduates do not need a ticket for themselves to participate, as long as they have applied to graduate or walk, have been approved and have RSVP’d that they will attend the ceremony. Graduates are responsible for securing tickets for their guests.

  • Arrival at the Moody Center:

    10:30 a.m. OR 2:30 p.m.: Graduates check-in at the Moody Center loading dock. Graduates must be checked in at least 30 minutes prior to the start of their ceremony.
    (Moody Center Map)

    11:00 a.m. OR 3:00 p.m.: Doors open for friends & family at the Moody Center West Plaza.
    (Moody Center Map)

  • Please plan for road closures and heavy traffic on graduation day. There will be multiple graduation ceremonies happening across the Forty Acres. For the latest updates to campus parking, please visit the university commencement page. 

  • Regalia must be carried into the Moody Center, not worn. Do not bring your regalia on a hanger. During check in and security scanning, regalia must be shaken to demonstrate no prohibited items on person.

  • Graduation candidates cannot bring personal items such as backpacks, purses or coats to the Moody Ceremony. There is no secure area in which to leave them. We recommended carrying cell phones and keys on wrist bands or clothing with pockets underneath regalia.

  • Comfortable shoes are recommended for all graduates: There are steep ramps and stairs along the graduate path.

  • Moody Center concessions will be open for guests.

  • Commencement will be livestreamed to allow the moment to be shared with extended family and friends. Separate links are available for the 12:00 p.m. ceremony and the 4:00 p.m. ceremony.

  • Graduate drop-off: There are two approved graduate drop-off locations. However, due to the number of CNS graduates and traffic congestion in the area, if you are able, we suggest you drop off at an alternative location and walk to the Moody Center.

  • Regalia is required: Academic regalia is required for all ceremony participants. Bachelor and master’s 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. Regalia should be ordered by the published deadline on the University Co-Op site.

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

  • 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

After the Ceremony

Procedures for each ceremony’s guests and graduates after the event are as follows.

12:00 p.m. Ceremony

Exit the east exit and graduates will re-join friends/family on the Moody Center east plaza (marshals and ushers will be on hand to direct crowds). Guests and graduates for the 4:00 p.m. ceremony will be arriving and queuing up for entry and check-in as the 12:00 p.m. ceremony is letting out. We request that all graduates and guests avoid the west side of the Moody Center when exiting. You may want to consult the Moody Center Map and come up with a strategic meetup location away from the west side of the venue.

4:00 p.m. Ceremony

If you are attending the university-wide ceremony, plan to head to D.K.R. Texas Memorial Stadium as soon as the 4:00 p.m. ceremony concludes. Concessions will be open at the stadium.

Tickets

  • Graduates do not need a ticket to participate in the College of Natural Sciences ceremonies, as long as they have applied to graduate or walk, been approved and RSVP’d that they will attend.
  • Tickets are required for all family and guests (over the age of two years) attending a College of Natural Sciences ceremony. 
  • Graduates claim and email the tickets to their guests. Guests may not secure a ticket directly. 
  • After approval to graduate or walk, graduates will receive an email to RSVP to attend the CNS ceremony. Tickets may be claimed when RSVP’ing.
  • Each approved graduate is allocated up to 8 guest tickets.  We ask that graduates only claim the number of tickets needed.
  • Graduates can only attend and claim tickets for one ceremony.
  • Guest tickets are general admission and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Saving of seats is not permitted.
  • Tickets are free of charge. Any graduate caught selling tickets will face penalties, up to and including exclusion from participating in the ceremony.
  • Tickets are only available electronically. Guests will present tickets, preferably electronically, at the Moody Center.
  • Separate graduate tickets are required for the university-wide ceremony. For university ceremony ticketing information, please visit the University Commencement website.

Venue Safety & Security Procedures

An updated Security and Attendee Protocol is in place for all Commencement events. Please follow the safety procedures to ensure a seamless graduation experience.

Safety & Security Procedures

Accommodations & ADA

Requesting 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 send accommodation requests to: ns.student.records@austin.utexas.edu

Accessibility

Parking

All campus parking garages have ADA parking spaces (open to guests with appropriate placard or license plate) and elevators. An ADA shuttle will run from the East Campus Garage to the Moody Center.

Drop-Off 

An ADA and mobility impaired passenger drop-off point is available in the roundabout on the northeast side of the Moody Center. From the I-35 frontage road, head west on Clyde Littlefield Dr., then south on Red River. Please notify personnel that passengers are ADA or mobility impaired. Please note, it is still a lengthy walk to access the Moody Center entrance. Wheelchairs or walkers are highly recommended. 

Rideshare

Set your location as “Clyde Littlefield Rd. & Red River St.” Message the driver to inform police they are picking up for Moody Center’s “Member/ADA Drop Off”.

Wheelchairs

Mobility-impaired candidates or guests who cannot walk comfortably more than 5 feet are strongly encouraged to bring a wheelchair to the event. Local health supply rental companies can provide rental wheelchairs.

The Moody Center has a very limited number of wheelchairs on hand at entry doors. Guests who require additional assistance because of a limitation in mobility can request a wheelchair transport from the entry doors of the arena to their seating location. A Guest Services member will escort guests to their seat and arrange a pick-up time to escort them for their departure if desired. This service is available on a first come, first served basis and may be requested from any team member at the entry doors. Please note that arena wheelchairs cannot be left with guests during the event.

Elevators are available to guests with disabilities. Check with a Moody Center Guest Services member for assistance.

Seating

There are many options for wheelchair-accessible and low-mobility seating. These sections are
compatible: 106, 107, 110, 115, 117, 118, 207, 210, 215. As tickets are unassigned, these sections are also on a first-come, first served. Please reference this map for location specifics. 

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive Listening Devices are available and complimentary to guests for all arena events. Headsets and receivers can be checked out at the Guest Services booth on the Main Concourse. 

CNS 2024 graduation parking map

Parking & Drop-Off

Most campus garages are free on graduation day.

All campus parking garages have ADA parking spaces (open to guests with appropriate placard or license plate) and elevators. 

For information about UT Austin parking garages and surface lots available for parking, please refer to the map available here, and be sure to visit the university Commencement Weekend Parking page.

 

Orange tower with fireworks

UT Ceremony

The University-wide ceremony will be held May 11, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.. Separate procession tickets are required for degree candidates to participate in the university-wide ceremony. More information about tickets may be found here.

Prior to entering the stadium, undergraduate College of Natural Sciences degree candidates will gather near Bass Concert Hall, near Robert Dedman Drive and DeLoss Dodds Way. Graduate School candidates from all programs will process in with the Graduate School.

The University-wide commencement ceremony takes place following the college ceremonies and is the culmination of Commencement weekend. 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.