Steps for Commencement

An approved graduation or walk list application is required and should be submitted by March 24, 2026 to ensure eligibility for participation in Liberal Arts ceremonies. Submit your application early to avoid issues and delays. These applications are, generally, reviewed within five business days by staff in the Student Division to confirm eligibility to participate in the graduation celebrations. Check the status of your application here and contact la-certification@utlists.utexas.edu for questions about your application. 

After your application is approved, watch for an email invitation for your commencement ceremony that will come within three business days to your official UT Austin email account. It will have a personalized link for you to RSVP for your ceremony and claim guest tickets if applicable. The deadline to RSVP is April 12. Contact COLACommencement@austin.utexas.edu for questions about Liberal Arts ceremonies.

Academic regalia is required for all ceremony participants. Bachelor regalia may be purchased from the University Co-op. The tassel color for BA and BS graduates in the College of Liberal Arts is white. Bachelor's regalia should be ordered by April 17, 2026. Formal invitations to send to family and friends may also be purchased from the University Co-op. Cords are given out on a departmental/program level. Please reach out to any organization that you have been a part of to see if they pass out cords. The College does not distribute any additional items. 

The university-wide ceremony will be held May 9, 2026, at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. Separate procession tickets are required, and available in late April, for degree candidates to participate in the university-wide ceremony. Guests do not need tickets for this event. More information about tickets may be found on the University Commencement website.

Graduating seniors may be eligible for a tuition rebate of up to $1,000 at graduation if they have attempted no more than three semester hours beyond the minimum number of hours required for the degree. Since calculating attempted hours is complex, we recommend that ALL graduating seniors who are Texas residents fill out the application.

Share your post-graduation plans and accomplishments in our career reporting tool,  12twenty@Texas! Your updates make an impact— 12twenty@Texas relies on graduates like you to share your current status, whether you’re seeking employment, attending grad school, or exploring new opportunities.

Liberal Arts Career Services continues to support you for up to one year after graduation with career coaching resources. Whether you’re job-hunting, considering a career shift, or exploring graduate or law school, we’re here to help!

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