• The University Commencement ceremony is a campus-wide celebration that broadly recognizes all U of U graduates. It is held at the Huntsman Center and features words of congratulations from campus leaders and inspiring keynote speakers. Students DO NOT have their names called nor receive their diploma at this ceremony.
• Convocation is specific to the College of Social Work and honors Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024 graduates. Students will have their names read, shake hands with the Dean, and receive their diploma cover.
• Graduation means that a student has completed all requirements of their degree program and has submitted a graduation application. Participating in commencement or convocation does not automatically mean that a student has graduated. Please visit the Office of the Registrar for more information or to apply for graduation.

Tickets are not required at the Huntsman Center for commencement or convocation guests, nor is there a limit to the number of guests you may invite. Graduates will be seated in designated seating areas. All guests are invited to watch the convocation ceremony from guest seating. Huntsman Center doors open at 7:00AM.

To ensure safety for all attendees, be advised graduates and guests are required to go through security screening prior to entering the Jon M. Huntsman Center.

Students and guests may not bring prohibited items into the Jon M. Huntsman Center for graduation events. 

Prohibited items inside include:

• Alcohol
• Artificial noise makers 
• Backpacks and purses (except for medical and diaper bags, which will be searched & tagged)
• Confetti
• Drones
• Fireworks
• Outside food/drink
• Umbrellas 
• Strollers
• Weapons

Guests have the option to temporarily store personal items during the graduation ceremonies in the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) West building, room 94. Security will be present at this location. 

Items allowed inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center and in the arena: 

• Wheelchairs 
• Walkers 

Campus parking lots may be used at no charge during commencement and convocation ceremonies. Because parking may be limited, the use of UTA TRAX is encouraged. Please visit the University's commencement parking site for more information.

Students requiring ADA accommodations should email the CSW Graduation Coordinators by April 12, 2024 to make specific convocation arrangements.

Guests needing ADA access to the Huntsman Center may have someone drop them off directly in front of the Huntsman Center on the circle. All the shuttles will be lift-equipped. No passes or permits are needed during Convocation.

Guest Seating: Guests will enter the Huntsman Center on the second level. As guests enter each portal, wheelchair cutouts are located in each section of the arena in row 31, which is level with the concourse. They are available on a first-come basis. There is NO accessible seating at floor level.

ASL Interpretation: There will be two ASL interpreters located near the floor of section C. 

The University of Utah strives to create a welcoming environment for all who attend the University Commencement and Convocation ceremonies. Please visit the University's Accessibility at Commencement website for more information on building accessibility and accommodation for people who experience a disability.

• Wear:  Arrive in your cap and gown, with the tassel to the right. Do not wear green under your gown as a green screen is used for graduation photos. All students are discouraged from bringing bags or personal items to the event. 
• Arrive: Please arrive at the northeast entrance of the Central Garage beginning at 7:00am. It is critical that graduates arrive on time so that the ceremony can begin promptly. For the safety of all attendees, graduates are required to pass through a security check. Once you are through security, there will be tables staffed by volunteers. You will be given a reader card to fill out. The reader card will ensure that your name is read properly as you walk and help the photographers match photos to graduates. Graduates will then form a line behind their program sign. Please follow directions from CSW staff as you line up. Students will proceed from the Central Garage to the event center tunnels starting at 7:30AM.  
• Ceremony:  Faculty and staff members will be present to help coordinate the processional. All graduates will remain standing during the processional and may sit when the Dean instructs you to do so. During the ceremony, you will first have your photo taken, and will then be directed to table where the card reader is seated. Give your reader card to the reader. After your name is read, you will receive your diploma cover, shake hands with the Dean, and return to your seat. Please be sure to follow directions from event volunteers. Do not leave valuables at your seat as you may not return to the same seat after you receive your diploma cover. After the ceremony, the Dean will ask graduates to rise and exit the floor through the same tunnel you entered in. Guests may meet you outside the building after the program. The convocation ceremony typically lasts an hour and a half.

Regalia is required for both Convocation and Commencement. CSW graduates should pre-order regalia through the Campus Store’s regalia website, which will open on Friday, March 1st. Regalia will be available to pick up in-store from Monday, April 2nd through Saturday, April 6th. Students can also choose to ship their regalia directly to their home address when they order online. In the event that a student cannot attend Grad Fair, regalia will still be available to purchase in-store or online through the month of May. CSW graduates may purchase a black gown and a black cap with a citron-colored tassel, a MSW hood (citron-colored trim), and/or a PhD hood. Questions about purchasing regalia may be directed to Abby Hirshberg. For graduates with extenuating circumstances, there may be regalia rentals available a limited number of CSW students. Contact the Graduation Coordinators for more information about how to request a no-cost rental.

Additionally, Grad Fair will be held Thursday April 4th – Saturday April 6th at the Main Campus Store during regular store hours. It is a great time to take advantage of special savings on diploma frames, order custom announcements & class rings, and have photos taken with a professional photographer.

Island Photography has been authorized to photograph the official awarding of diplomas, as well as a single picture of each graduate. Please note that graduates are under no obligation to purchase these photographs. Using the information provided on reader cards, Island Photography will email graduates proofs 48-72 hours following the ceremony. Please contact their customer service team if you have any questions or concerns at 800-869-0908 or custserv@islandphoto.com.

The College of Social Work coordinates six different graduation cords. Students eligible for cords will be notified of pick-up details via their University email in late March/early April. For eligible students, cords will be available for pick-up starting Monday, April 22, 2024 in the CSW Main Office (room 111) from the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm.

• [Undergraduate] BSWSA Officers: Available to students who have served as a BSWSA officer and are graduating from the BSW Program
• [Undergraduate] Substance Use Disorder Treatment Training Certificate: Available to students who have completed the SUDTTC Program
• [Undergraduate] Social Justice Advocacy Certificate: Available to students who have completed the Social Justice Advocacy Certificate Program
• [Graduate] MSWSA Officers: Available to students who have served as an MSWSA officer and are graduating from the MSW Program
• [Graduate] Leadership, Justice, and Community Practice Certificate: Available to students who have completed the Leadership, Justice, and Community Practice Certificate Program
• [Undergraduate & Graduate] Phi Alpha: Available to students who have been awarded Phi Alpha membership and are graduating from the BSW, MSW, and PhD Programs
• Please note: The College of Social Work does not issue honors cords. Those graduating with honors as defined by the Office of the Registrar will be designated as such in the Convocation Program.

Diploma covers will be distributed during convocation. Diplomas will be mailed to graduates within three months after their final semester grades are posted. Please make any corrections to your mailing address in CIS to ensure proper delivery. Contact the Graduation Division of the Office of the Registrar with any questions. 

Whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student, leave your legacy by letting Career Services know what you're doing after graduation. It only takes 2 minutes and those who complete the survey receive a graduation cord.

• Step 1:  PhD students will sit and be hooded on stage. After the PhD candidate’s name and dissertation title has been read by the director of doctoral studies, they will stand and proceed toward the Dean. The hood should be draped over the left arm, not worn. Please be sure the hood is unbuttoned to fit over the graduation cap.
• Step 2:  As the candidate approaches the Dean, the committee chair will step forward and stand on the candidate’s left side. The Dean will be on the candidate’s right side. The Dean will give the diploma cover to the candidate, and the candidate should hand the hood to the Dean.
• Step 3:  The Dean and committee chair will each take one side of the hood and lower the hood over the candidate’s head from the back.
• Step 4:  The candidate shakes hands with the committee chair and the Dean and a photo is taken.
• Step 5:  The candidate returns to their seat on stage.
• Step 6:  Following the ceremony, the candidate proceeds to stage right and has their official individual photo taken by Island Photography.