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).
Regardless of whether students were physically in Denton while earneing their degree, or if they completed most or all of their courses through distance learning, they are invited and encouraged to participate in our ceremonies on the UNT campus so they can cross the stage, see and hear their name announced and be contragulated in person by UNT leadership.
Important Guest Information
Driving Directions and Parking
See the parking map and complete driving directions.
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.
Accessible parking will be in Lots 26 and 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 on the east side of the Coliseum in the circle drive off Avenue D and can be reached by going east on Eagle Drive, then north on Avenue C, then west on Maple Drive.
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.
Ceremony Locations
Doors to the Coliseum will open one hour prior to the ceremony start time. Gates A, E, & F on the upper level will be available for guest entrance. Graduates enter through the West Tunnel.
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
Graduates will be staged in the lower level of the coliseum and seated on the arena floor. Guests enter and are seated in the middle and upper seats around the venue.
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
For the safety and comfort of the Mean Green community, security staff will strictly enforce the Clear Bag Policy at all Coliseum entrances. Graduates and guests with prohibited items must discard or return them to their vehicles before they are permitted to enter the venue. Staff will not store or hold items for you.
The following items are not allowed in the seating area:
- artificial noisemakers (air horns, bullhorns, whistles, etc.)
- bags and purses that do not follow the Clear Bag Policy
- balloons
- beach balls
- bubbles
- confetti/confetti cannons
- Frisbees
- glass or plastic vases
- glitter
- laser pointers
- non-service animals
- pocket knives
- signs/banners/flags
- silly string
- smoking, vaping and the use of chewing tobacco anywhere in the venue or on campus, as UNT is tobacco-free
- tripods/monopods/selfie sticks
- weapons of any kind
See a complete list of prohibited items in English or in Spanish. Graduates and guests with a prohibited item will be asked to discard or return the item to their vehicle. Staff will not store or hold items for graduates or guests.
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 and Murchison entrances used by graduates, guests and platform party members. Anyone entering the venues for commencement must pass through a metal detector before proceeding to the seating or staging areas.
Conduct and Behavior
Commencement is a special event for everyone involved. Causing distractions that prevent other guests from hearing or viewing the ceremony or any behavior that otherwise interferes with any aspect of the ceremonies is not permitted. Please show respect to all who have come to share in this experience. Individuals who engage in inappropriate or disruptive or disrespectful behavior may be removed from the venue.
Handing off items from or to the arena floor is prohibited. Graduates are expected to arrive and remain hands-free as they cross the stage.
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.