group of graduates with hook em at graduation

Moody College Graduation Ceremony

Event Date: May 9, 2025
Event Time: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. CT
Location: The Moody Center

The Moody College Graduation ceremony, held each May, celebrates undergraduate candidates from the past Fall, current Spring, and upcoming Summer. This special event also honors the invaluable support of graduates’ family, friends, mentors, and faculty/staff.

Have a question not covered below? Check out our Graduation FAQs. Additionally, this webpage will be updated with need-to-know information the closer we approach the May ceremony. 

Individuals pursuing a masters or doctorate degree in Moody College should only apply to graduate and participate in the Graduate College Graduation process. 

Graduate Information

Applying to graduate (to receive your diploma) and submitting an RSVP for the graduation ceremony are separate processes. Students completing all degree requirements in Spring 2025 should:

  1. Apply to graduate by following the instructions on the Graduation Application webpage.
  2. Be approved for their diploma based on degree completion. Or, submit documentation with proof of enrollment in final degree requirements.
  3. Be granted access to RSVP through Tassel. 
  4. RSVP - including updating your information specific to the ceremony. 
    1. Information submitted in Tassel is not an official means of updating your UT Austin record. If you need to update your diploma name or permanent address, please see more information through Texas One Stop. 
  5. Claim tickets in Tassel. Graduates may return to Tassel at anytime to claim up to their allotted tickets or to return tickets. You can also easily distribute tickets to your guests via email, Apple Wallet, or Google Wallet. 
  6. Keep an eye on your email! Important information will be provided via email leading up to the morning of the ceremony. Be sure to check often!

Those who completed a degree in Fall 2024, and have not participated in a ceremony, will be given access to Tassel in February automatically. This invitation will go directly to the email on your student record. If you do not receive an email and believe you are eligible to participate, please email the Moody College Graduation Team.

 

Students who anticipate completing all degree requirements in Summer 2025 are required to apply to participate in the Spring 2025 ceremony. In order to be eligible, students:

  • Must be completing all final degree requirements by the end of Summer 2025.
  • May have no more than 12 achievable hours to complete.
    • Students with two Moody College degrees may only have 12 hours left to complete between both degrees.
  • Must ensure that all previously completed transfer work has been added to your UT record (e.g. if you took a class at an external institution and have not sent a transcript to UT, or if you completed a Credit-by-Exam and have not claimed the credit, those actions must be completed before applying).

If you have met all the criteria as outlined above, you may submit an application to be participate in the ceremony. 

All applications are subject to review, please allow two weeks for processing. Students who apply and are denied will be required to meet with a Moody College Academic Advisor if they wish to appeal the decision. Moody College Graduation Team reserves the final decision on a students graduation status. 

The application link will go live here on January 30, 2025.

Students who wish to participate in the Moody College Graduation Ceremony on May 9 must submit an RSVP in Tassel. Tassel provides the following for all graduates:

  • An opportunity to record how your name is pronounced.
  • Provide an alternative name (changing your name in Tassel does NOT change your diploma name. To change your diploma name please see more through Texas One Stop).
    • All name changes in Tassel are subject to review. Students may receive an email from the Moody College Graduation Team requesting confirmation of changes before names are finalized. 
  • Claim tickets for your guests.
    • You may also share tickets directly via email, or by transfer through Google and Apple Wallet. 
  • Opt-into the opportunity to purchase photos. 
  • Share graduation details with your guests. Tassel will send out a one time email with important information to any guest you provide an email for. 
  • Return to Tassel at any point to update your RSVP, manage tickets, or send ceremony details to guests.

The Moody College Graduation Team utilizes Tassel to send out important information and updates regarding the ceremony, please be sure to actively monitor your email. Sometimes, things may end up in your Spam folder, we recommend checking it on occasion.

Guest Information

  • Each guest (who has had their second birthday and older) is required to have a ticket. Tickets are claimed by graduates through Tassel during the RSVP process. Graduates must share tickets via email, Apple Wallet, or Google Wallet with their guests.
    • Graduates are not required an entry ticket, but will be required to provide an ID (e.g. UT student ID or drivers license).  
  • Tickets are free of charge. Graduates found soliciting tickets could face disciplinary action. 
  • Doors for both graduates and guests will open 1-hour prior to the event start time.
  • Requests for additional tickets will not be accepted until after the initial RSVP period has closed. If there is an opportunity to release more tickets, graduates who have claimed all their tickets will receive an email.
    • Ticket release will end when all tickets are claimed or no later than Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Tickets will not be distributed the day of the event. 
  • Please refer to our Graduation FAQs for information regarding the ticket allotment. 

Parking in all garages will be free for Commencement Weekend. ADA spots are limited, please arrive early to secure a spot. Traffic during Commencement weekend can be significant especially with additional road closures as noted below. We recommend planning ahead and carpooling as able.  

For the health and safety of all guests, and to expedite the entry process, Moody Center requests that guests do not bring a bag to the arena.  If necessary, guests are permitted to bring a bag that fits within the following specifications:  

A CLEAR BAG POLICY is in effect to enhance existing security measures and expedite venue entry at Moody Center.  
 
Approved bags include: 
Bags that are clear plastic and do not exceed 14″ x 14″ x 6″ 
One-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bags 
Non-clear clutch bags or wallets must not exceed 5″ x 9″ x 1.5” 

Any and all bags that do not meet the criteria above including items such as grocery totes, mesh or straw bags, duffle bags, diaper* bags, camera/binocular cases, and any other bags that arena event staff deem to not meet the clear bag policy.
*Items normally carried in a diaper bag must be placed into a clear plastic bag for entry. 

The following items are prohibited for use, possession, display, or distribution at, on, or within Moody Center:

  • Professional Cameras, detachable lenses or external flash units, or recording equipment (aside from smartphones) for audio, image, or video recording purposes
  • Weapons including guns, firearms, knives of any size, stunguns/tasers, bats or poles
  • Noisemaking devices of any kind including whistles, air horns, vuvuzelas, and cow bells
  • Laptops and tablets
  • Any other item deemed inappropriate or dangerous by Moody Center and its league affiliates, in their sole discretion

Review the full list of prohibited items in the A-Z Guide.

Those needing an ASL interpreter should contact moodycollegegraduation@austin.utexas.edu; there will be a designated seating area for guests and graduates with an interpreter. Additionally, live closed captions will be available on the front screens for all guests to view. 

Moody Center is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and providing equal access to an enjoyable event experience for everyone in our community. Moody Center has elevators available to ticket holders and guests with disabilities. 

PARKING: 
Accessible parking is available on a first-come basis for guests with disabilities in each available garage. Manor Garage is the closest ADA parking to Moody Center. Please arrive early to ensure parking is available. 

DROP-OFF: 
A passenger drop-off point is available at the Member drop-off location accessible 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.

RIDE SHARE: 
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”. 

WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANCE: 
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. 

SEATING: 
There are many options for wheelchair accessible and low mobility seating. We recommend the following sections: 106, 107, 110, 115, 117, 118, 207, 210, 215. As tickets are unassigned, these sections will be also be first come, first served.

moodycenterseatingchart

Please review the Accessibility Guide for more information on accessible services, programs and policies for guests with disabilities. 

We recommend utilizing the University Co-op for graduation gifts. Please review the 'Security at the Moody Center' for information on items that are prohibited from entry.