Commencement Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
The University of Louisville’s May 2026, University-wide Commencement* ceremonies honoring certificate, bachelor’s, master's, and doctoral** graduates will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the KFC Yum! Center.
Each ceremony lasts approximately two hours and culminates with the conferral of degrees and the turning of tassels. These events are non-ticketed, and graduates may invite an unlimited number of guests.
Ceremony #1 (10:00 a.m.)
Honoring graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, Brandeis School of Law*, Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs, Kent School of Social Work & Family Science, School of Dentistry*, School of Medicine*, School of Nursing*, and the School of Public Health & Information Sciences.
Doors for Ceremony #1 will open to graduates and their guests beginning at 8:30 a.m., and the ceremony will last approximately two hours.
Ceremony #2 (3:00 p.m.)
Honoring graduates from the College of Business, College of Education & Human Development, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, and the School of Music.
Doors for Ceremony #2 will open to graduates and their guests beginning at 1:30 p.m., and the ceremony will last approximately two hours.
* UofL’s Professional Programs: Dentistry, Law, Medicine, and Nursing, will conduct their own ceremonies in May. Graduates from these schools are invited to participate in the University-wide Commencement, in addition to their school’s recognition ceremony.
** Doctoral-level graduates will receive hooding ceremony information and instructions from their respective college/school. The Doctoral Hooding ceremony will take place on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., and be held in the L&N Arena, located in the Swain Student Activities Center. Doctoral graduates are invited to participate in the University-wide Commencement, as well as the hooding ceremony.
Information about the dates, times, and location for the professional schools’ ceremonies will be available shortly.
No in-person rehearsal will be held. A brief informational video walkthrough is available here.
Commencement is a non-ticketed event. Graduates may invite an unlimited number of guests to attend.
Parking is located onsite in the arena garage along with many other parking garages, surface lots, and on street metered parking in the area. Parking costs are the responsibility of the graduate or guest. All parking is available on a first come, first served basis. The University is not liable for parking fees or damage to vehicle.
- The Ceremony will begin at 7:00 pm – Doors will open for Graduate and guests at 5:30pm
- The ceremony will last approximately two hours.
We expect about 1100 graduates to be recognized at each ceremony. Please show consideration for all graduates of our campus community by crossing the stage in a timely manner, returning to your seat and remaining seated until the recessional at the end of the ceremony.
All graduates participating in commencement are required to wear the custom University of Louisville academic regalia sold by Jostens. To place your order for your cap and gown, please visit the Jostens website: University of Louisville LOUISVILLE, KY | Jostens
The deadline to order is Thursday, April 2, 2026.
All other accessories, such as cords, stoles, etc. are optional and can be found in the Jostens website: University of Louisville LOUISVILLE, KY | Jostens
Honor cords may be purchased from Jostens. For questions regarding Honors eligibility, please contact your academic advisor.
Yes, absolutely. We love to see your creativity! No obscenities, violations of law, or university policy. Be sure to use #UofLGrads2025!
All other accessories, such stoles, tassels, etc. are optional and can be purchased on the Jostens website: University of Louisville LOUISVILLE, KY | Jostens under “Graduation Products.”
Yes. All individuals arriving at the facility will pass through metal detectors upon arriving at the facility. Please allow a few extra minutes for entering the facility. Per KFC YUM! Center policy, all bags are subject to search upon entry. Backpacks of any kind, including drawstring, fanny packs, computer bags, and camera bags are prohibited. Bags may be no larger than 14” X 14” X 6" and a clutch may only be 9” X 7”. Please also note that balloons are prohibited.
Signs which are hand-held and no greater than 11" x 17" in size are permitted. Signs may not be hung or fastened anywhere in the arena. Small signs should not be commercial or obscene in nature, nor promote violations of law or university policy, nor cause any disturbance. The KFC Yum! Center reserves the right to remove any banner at any time. Graduates may not carry anything onstage (flags, signs, objects etc.).
Yes.
Yes. Americans With Disabilities Act accessible seating areas are available. All seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
Additionally, the fan assist wheelchair escort program will be available. Upon arrival at the venue, any venue staff with a radio can contact fan assist for you. A staff member will meet you in the lobby with a wheelchair they will use to escort you to your seat. You may contact them at 502-609-9034 when you are ready to be picked up and returned to the lobby. If you plan to use this service, please allow extra time for entry. Should you need assistance, their office will be staffed during the event located by section 103 on the Main Concourse.
There is not a dress code for guests. Graduates must wear the official UofL cap & gown to participate in the ceremony. We encourage students to wear appropriate footwear. While there are no restrictions on footwear, be mindful that you will be walking on many different surfaces and navigating stairs or a ramp.
Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase.
No. To minimize crowding, if you want to sit with your friends, you must arrive together.
Yes. The link is here and may be viewed live or anytime.
We no longer print program books for distribution at the ceremony, however, we will post a link to download the book in the days approaching commencement. We will also provide a QR code at the ceremony so you and your guests may download it while at the KFC YUM! Center. The time to request booklets to be mailed to you has passed.
Our photography partner, ProPics, will be onsite photographing the ceremony. Each student will be photographed as they cross the stage and will also have a graduate portrait taken after crossing the stage. Each graduate will receive one free 5X7 photograph. To make sure Pro Pics has the most accurate contact information to send your photo proofs and free print, please visit www.UofLphotos.com to fill out your information.
No. The Registrar’s Office will send graduates an e-mail notice when diplomas become available. Diplomas usually arrive in the Registrar's Office approximately 8-10 weeks after commencement. You will be contacted via e-mail once the diplomas are available. If you have a question regarding your degree application or diploma, visit the Registrar's website or contact the Office of the Registrar at 502-852-6522 . You may also send an e-mail to regoff@louisville.edu.
Diplomas for all degrees measure 14"x17".
Academic units have one month to approve degrees. Once a degree is approved it will post to your transcript.
The University’s information technology staff will provide video services at the commencement ceremony. The ceremony livestream is available on the University's Youtube channel. For additional video questions, please contact Mike Peak at mike.peak@louisville.edu