| Commencement

The ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 9, at the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78219.

The 10 a.m. ceremony will take place for the following schools: School of Physical Therapy; College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; Dreeben School of Education; Feik School of Pharmacy; H-E-B School of Business and Administration; Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions; Rosenberg School of Optometry; School of Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering; School of Media and Design; School of Osteopathic Medicine and School of Professional Studies.

• 8:30 a.m. Student Arrival
• 9 a.m. Line-up Check and Faculty Arrival
• 9:40 a.m. Processional Begins
• 10 a.m. Ceremony Begins

Map of Parking and Freeman Expo Hall

Graduates must check in with the Office of the Registrar at the Expo Hall behind the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum. When planning your arrival time, please expect increased traffic through the West Gate entrance which may delay parking access.

The 10 a.m. ceremony will take place for the following schools: School of Physical Therapy, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; Dreeben School of Education; Feik School of Pharmacy; H-E-B School of Business and Administration; Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions; Rosenberg School of Optometry; School of Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering; School of Media and Design; School of Osteopathic Medicine and School of Professional Studies.

• 8:30 a.m. Student Arrival
• 9 a.m. Line-up Check and Faculty Arrival
• 9:40 a.m. Processional Begins
• 10 a.m. Ceremony Begins

No. The graduating person does not need a ticket for commencement.

Tickets are required for both Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement. For the Baccalaureate Mass, students will receive three tickets (one graduate and two guest). For Commencement, each graduate will receive 14 tickets, graduates do not require a ticket. All guest ages 3+ require a ticket.

Students will receive 14 commencement tickets each.

We anticipate each ceremony to last on average two and a half hours. When planning events after your ceremony, we advise that you allow for additional time to exit the parking lots with heavy traffic.

The UIW Mask Policy no longer mandates the wearing of masks indoors/outdoors whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated. Other conditions apply. Please review the latest update to the Mask Policy (3/16/2022) for the most recent changes. Should you choose to wear a mask, CDC recommends using a high-quality mask that has two or more layers that fit snugly and includes a nose wire for a closer fit and to prevent gaps for the best protection. For more information, visit CDC Your Guide to Masks.

A livestream will be available on the University's YouTube channel. 

10 a.m. Livestream

No. The Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony is an in-person event. We will offer a livestream of the event so that graduates can hold family watch parties and host gatherings safely. The ceremony will remain available for viewing on the UIW YouTube page.

The $50 graduation fee is not associated with the ceremony. The graduation fee is applicable to all graduates, even those who are not participating in the ceremony. The fee covers services including, but not limited to, degree audits and the printing and shipping of diplomas. This fee is non-refundable.

Yes, the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum has parking available for graduates and their guests. Graduates receive one complimentary parking permit for Lot 9. Information will be sent to each graduate by email. Guests may use lots 1 and 2, parking is $10 per car. Please see the map detailing which gates to use to access the correct lots.

Map of Parking and Freeman Expo Hall

The University of the Incarnate Word provides reasonable accommodations for special events with adequate notice. To request disability accommodation for events, please complete the online form.

Request for Event Accommodations

There are no bag or purse restrictions.