Commencement Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
The University of Louisville will celebrate its December 2026 Commencement ceremony*, honoring certificate, bachelor’s master’s, and doctoral candidates, on Friday, December 11, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center.
The ceremony will last approximately two hours and culminate in the conferral of degrees and the turning of tassels. Tickets are not required, and graduates may invite an unlimited number of guests.
*The Doctoral Hooding ceremony will take place on Friday, December 11, 2026, at 2 p.m., in the Swain Student Activities Center Ballroom.
In addition to participating in the hooding, doctoral candidates are invited to attend the university-wide Commencement ceremony, which will be held later that evening at the KFC Yum! Center.
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.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for graduates and their guests.
The ceremony will last approximately two hours and culminate in the conferral of degrees and the turning of tassels. Tickets are not required, and graduates may invite an unlimited number of guests.
All graduates participating in commencement are required to wear the custom University of Louisville academic regalia sold by Jostens.
The deadline to order a cap and gown with guaranteed home delivery has passed. To request a late apparel order, please complete the form below.
Student Late Apparel Request Form:
Student Late Apparel Request – Fill out form
Caps, gowns and accessories will be sold by Jostens during Late Regalia Distribution from the available inventory
Late Regalia Distribution will take place in the Red Barn, located on the Belknap campus.
- Thursday, May 7, 2026, from noon - 6:00 p.m.
- Friday, May 8, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Late regalia will be sold as sets only, and will include a cap, gown, & degree color tassel (hood if Masters or Doctorate). Students who complete the late apparel request form below will have their orders filled in the order their request was received.
Payment for late apparel orders will be accepted at the time of pick-up at Late Regalia Distribution.
While every effort will be made to fill your exact order specifications, please note that we cannot guarantee availability for every size, degree color, etc. Should Jostens be unable to fill your exact request they will fill it with something comparable. Optional accessories, such as the UofL stole and souvenir tassel, will be available for purchase at Late Regalia Distribution. Please do not complete this form for stoles or souvenir tassels.
Late apparel package pricing is as follows:
Bachelors: $42.38 Masters: $58.33 Doctorate: $103.96
Information about ordering your cap and gown from Jostens for the December 2026 Commencement and/or Doctoral Hooding will be available on August 21, 2026.
Yes, absolutely. We love to see your creativity! No obscenities, violations of law, or university policy. Be sure to use #UofLGrads2025!
Information about ordering other graduation accessories from Jostens will be available on August 21, 2026.
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.
PROGRAM BOOK REQUEST: We understand that receiving a program book with your name listed is an important element of Commencement. We no longer provide hard copy program books at the ceremony, but they will be available upon request. These books will be mailed to the address you indicate on your request following Commencement. Additionally, an electronic copy of the program will be posted to the Commencement website in advance of the ceremony.
To request your copy of the program book, visit louisville.edu/commencement/program
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