Commencement
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College of Liberal Arts Ceremonies
The deadline to register for the COLA ceremonies is Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 11:55 p.m.
The College of Liberal Arts will hold six commencement ceremonies in May 2026 to honor the undergraduates and candidates of the entire academic year (past Fall, current Spring, and future Summer). May 2026 participants include December 2025 graduates, May 2026 graduates, and August 2026 potential graduates. Candidates earning their masters or doctoral degree will participate in the Graduate School ceremony. Economics, Government, and International Relations and Global Studies also include masters and doctoral students in their ceremonies. Attendance at the commencement ceremonies is optional.
The university-wide ceremony will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. Separate procession tickets are required for degree candidates to participate in the university-wide ceremony. More information about tickets may be found on the University Commencement website.
Commencement FAQ's
Q: What steps do I need to take to participate with my COLA commencement ceremony?
Review this list of steps. It is a nice guide to help you navigate your commencement to-do list.
Q: How do I participate in one of the COLA Commencement Ceremonies?
The deadline to register for a COLA commencement ceremony is Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 11:55 p.m. Before registering for a ceremony, you must have an approved application on file.
Q: Which COLA ceremony do I attend?
A: All Liberal Arts students are asked to attend only one of the COLA ceremonies listed below. If you are in a major that is hosting their own ceremony (Economics, English/History, Government/IRG, Plan II, MALS), this is the ceremony you will attend to allow for the maximum number of guests to participate with all ceremonies. All other students will attend the COLA Commencement ceremony in the Moody Center on May 7, 2026.
If you have more than one departmental major that is hosting its own ceremony (Economics, English, History, Government, IRG, Plan II, MALS), you will be placed in the ceremony by your first listed major. If you would like this changed, please reach out to colacommencement@austin.utexas.edu after your graduation application has been approved and before the April 12 RSVP deadline.
Q: Do I need to wear a cap and gown? If so, where can I buy them?
A: Academic regalia is required for all ceremony participants. Bachelor regalia is available from the University Co-op. The tassel color is white for BA and BS graduates in the College of Liberal Arts. Be sure to order regalia by the deadline (April 17, 2026). You may also purchase formal invitations to send to family and friends from the University Co-op.
If you qualify for a cord, please reach out to your appropriate department/program to see if they offer graduation cords to their members. The College does not distribute any additional items.
- College of Liberal Arts Commencement
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 12-3 p.m.
Location: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX 78712
Contact: colacommencement@austin.utexas.edu
Tickets Required: Yes for guests. Six tickets are available for guests only. Students do not need tickets, but must register online to participate in their ceremony.
Additional information about the ceremony is available on the COLA Commencement Ceremony 2026 page.
The May 7 ceremony at the Moody Center is only for COLA undergrads who do not have a departmental ceremony. The departments of English, History, Government, IRG, Economics, Plan II, and MALS have separate ceremonies (details below).
Majors included in the May 7 ceremony at the Moody Center: African and African Diaspora Studies; American Studies; Anthropology; Asian Cultures and Languages; Asian Studies; Behavioral and Social Data Science; Classical Languages; Classical Studies; Ethnic Studies; European Studies; French Studies; Geographical Sciences (BS); Geography; German; Health and Society; Human Dimensions of Organizations; Humanities; Italian Studies; Jewish Studies; Latin American Studies; Linguistics; Middle Eastern Studies; Philosophy; Portuguese; Psychology; Psychology (BS); Race, Indigeneity, and Migration; Religious Studies; Rhetoric and Writing; Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies; Sociology; Spanish; Sustainability Studies; Urban Studies; Women's and Gender Studies
- English and History
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Bass Concert Hall
Contact: humanitiescommencement@utlists.utexas.edu
Tickets are not required for the English and History ceremony. More information.
- Government and IRG
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Gregory Gymnasium
Contact: jennabacorn@austin.utexas.edu
Tickets are not required for the Goverment and IRG ceremony. This ceremony is for undergraduate, masters, and doctoral graduates. More information.
- Economics
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Times:
BA Ceremony: 8 a.m.
BS, MA, Ph.D. Ceremony: 11:30 a.m.Location: Gregory Gymnasium
Contact: ecocommencement@austin.utexas.edu
Tickets Required: Yes for guests. Students do not need tickets, but must register online to participate in their ceremony.
- Plan II
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Hogg Auditorium
Contact: planiicommencement@austin.utexas.edu
Tickets Required: Yes for guests. Students do not need tickets, but must register online to participate in their ceremony.
- Mexican American and Latina/o Studies (MALS)
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Williams C. Powers Student Activity Center 1.402
Contact: margaret.garza@austin.utexas.edu
Tickets are not required for the MALS ceremony.
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