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CSW Commencement Information

The University of Tennessee’s College of Social Work will host two Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremonies.  The Knoxville, TN commencement will be held on May 17th at 8:30 am ET and the Nashville, TN commencement will be held on May 20 at 2:00 CT. Select your program below for commencement ceremony specifics. 

Apply to graduate no later than March 15, 2024 for spring graduation. 

Select Your Program

Graduation Application Deadlines

The college requests that all spring/summer 2024 graduation candidates submit their graduation application no later than Friday, January 20, 2024, for communications purposes. If you have not applied to graduate, please do so as soon as possible.
BSSW students must have earned 90 credit hours before they can apply for graduation.

college graduates wearing caps and gowns standing in front of an orange wall

BSSW Spring 2024 Commencement

Eligible graduation applicants will receive an invitation to register to their UTK email.  You will have to register for all commencement events you plan attend.

Knoxville Spring 2024 Commencement Details

College of Social Work Commencement Ceremony

When: Friday, May 17, at 8:30 a.m. ET
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena

1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996


All CSW Graduates can attend this ceremony.

BSSW Graduates attending commencement and in need of honors cords need to contact the following:
Gina Middleton at gcox@utk.edu and/or Elizabeth Hall at ehall51@utk.edu

General Information

Knoxville Ceremony Protocols

Graduate entry

  • Tickets are not required for graduate entry.
  • Graduates will enter the arena at the lower level Media entrance near G-10 garage. Orange and white balloons will mark the entrance.
  • Doors will open for graduate entry 90 minutes before the ceremony start time.
  • On arrival, graduates will pick up their card at designated registration tables. The card will be used as the graduate crosses the stage.
  • All graduates will participate in a processional. They will be directed to a designated spot to wait in line.

After the Ceremony

Graduate and Guest Exiting

Graduates are required to return to their seat on the arena floor after crossing the stage. After all graduates have crossed the stage, graduates and guests will rise to sing the Alma Mater.

Graduates will exit at the concourse level and are encouraged to make a plan to meet up with their guests in the parking garage or elsewhere after the ceremony. No guests will be permitted on the arena floor.

Torch Night Spring 2024

Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee is one of UT’s oldest traditions. Graduates have the opportunity to symbolically receive the Torch of Service, pledging to serve both the university and their community as responsible and loyal alumni.

When: Wednesday, May 15, at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Ayres Lawn

1403 Circle Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916

Rain Location: Thompson-Boling Arena 

fireworks shooting off top of Ayers hall during graduation torch night
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college graduates wearing caps and gowns standing in front of an orange wall

MSSW Spring 2024 Commencement

Eligible graduation applicants will receive an invitation to register to their UTK email.  You will have to register for all commencement events you plan attend.

College of Social Work Commencement Ceremony

To register for the Knoxville MSSW commencement check your UTK email. 

When: Friday, May 17, at 8:30 a.m. ET
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena

1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996

Registration Deadline: April 14 at 12 p.m

All CSW Graduates can attend this ceremony.

Knoxville Spring 2024 University Graduate Hooding Ceremony (Graduate/Master’s, DSW and PhD Candidates)

When: Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m ET
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena

1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996

All graduate candidates should bring their hood to the ceremony.

General Information

Knoxville Ceremony Protocols

Graduate entry

  • Tickets are not required for graduate entry.
  • Graduates will enter the arena at the lower level Media entrance near G-10 garage. Orange and white balloons will mark the entrance.
  • Doors will open for graduate entry 90 minutes before the ceremony start time.
  • On arrival, graduates will pick up their card at designated registration tables. The card will be used as the graduate crosses the stage.
  • All graduates will participate in a processional. They will be directed to a designated spot to wait in line.

After the Ceremony

Graduate and Guest Exiting

Graduates are required to return to their seat on the arena floor after crossing the stage. After all graduates have crossed the stage, graduates and guests will rise to sing the Alma Mater.

Graduates will exit at the concourse level and are encouraged to make a plan to meet up with their guests in the parking garage or elsewhere after the ceremony. No guests will be permitted on the arena floor.

Torch Night Spring 2024

Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee is one of UT’s oldest traditions. Graduates have the opportunity to symbolically receive the Torch of Service, pledging to serve both the university and their community as responsible and loyal alumni.

When: Wednesday, May 15, at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Ayres Lawn

1403 Circle Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916

Rain Location: Thompson-Boling Arena 

fireworks shooting off top of Ayers hall during graduation torch night
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graduate cap with be the change written on top

MSSW Nashville Commencement 2024

Spring 2024 Nashville Commencement Ceremony Details

Nashville College of Social Work Commencement Ceremony

When: May 20 at 2:00pm CT
Where: Trevecca Boone Convocation Center
Boone Business Building
333 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN  37210 

Registration will be required.
Please complete the link below for the Nashville Hooding ceremony.  Registration closes April 14, at 11:00 AM CT.

2024 University Graduate Hooding Ceremony (Graduate/Master’s, DSW and PhD Candidates)

When: Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m ET
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena

1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996

All graduate candidates should bring their hood to the ceremony.

Nashville students may also attend the Graduate School Hooding Ceremony in Knoxville as well as the CSW commencement ceremony.

General Information

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MSSW Online Commencement 2024

Online MSSW students can attend either commencement ceremony.  Please note that the Online MSSW Program is based in Nashville so online faculty and staff will be in attendance at the Nashville ceremony.

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DSW Commencement 2024

Eligible graduation applicants will receive an invitation to register to their UTK email.  You will have to register for all commencement events you plan attend.

DSW Induction Ceremony

When: Friday, May 19, at 2:30-4:30 p.m ET
Where: Pilot Ballroom A
– Student Union
1502 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916

College of Social Work Commencement Ceremony

To register for the Knoxville MSSW commencement check your UTK email. 

When: Friday, May 17, at 8:30 a.m. ET
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena

1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996

Registration Deadline: April 14 at 12 p.m

All CSW Graduates can attend this ceremony.

2024 University Graduate Hooding Ceremony (Graduate/Master’s, DSW and PhD Candidates)

When: Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m ET
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena

1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996

All graduate candidates should bring their hood to the ceremony

General Information

Knoxville Ceremony Protocols

Graduate entry

  • Tickets are not required for graduate entry.
  • Graduates will enter the arena at the lower level Media entrance near G-10 garage. Orange and white balloons will mark the entrance.
  • Doors will open for graduate entry 90 minutes before the ceremony start time.
  • On arrival, graduates will pick up their card at designated registration tables. The card will be used as the graduate crosses the stage.
  • All graduates will participate in a processional. They will be directed to a designated spot to wait in line.

After the Ceremony

Graduate and Guest Exiting

Graduates are required to return to their seat on the arena floor after crossing the stage. After all graduates have crossed the stage, graduates and guests will rise to sing the Alma Mater.

Graduates will exit at the concourse level and are encouraged to make a plan to meet up with their guests in the parking garage or elsewhere after the ceremony. No guests will be permitted on the arena floor.

Torch Night Spring 2024

Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee is one of UT’s oldest traditions. Graduates have the opportunity to symbolically receive the Torch of Service, pledging to serve both the university and their community as responsible and loyal alumni.

When: Wednesday, May 15, at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Ayres Lawn

1403 Circle Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916

Rain Location: Thompson-Boling Arena 

fireworks shooting off top of Ayers hall during graduation torch night
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graduate cap with be the change written on top

PhD Commencement 2024

Eligible graduation applicants will receive an invitation to register to their UTK email.  You will have to register for all commencement events you plan attend.

College of Social Work Commencement Ceremony

To register for the Knoxville MSSW commencement check your UTK email. 

When: Friday, May 17, at 8:30 a.m. ET
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena

1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996

Registration Deadline: April 14 at 12 p.m

All CSW Graduates can attend this ceremony.

Knoxville Spring 2024 University Graduate Hooding Ceremony (Graduate/Master’s, DSW and PhD Candidates)

When: Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m ET
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena

1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37996

All graduate candidates should bring their hood to the ceremony.

General Information

Knoxville Ceremony Protocols

Graduate entry

  • Tickets are not required for graduate entry.
  • Graduates will enter the arena at the lower level Media entrance near G-10 garage. Orange and white balloons will mark the entrance.
  • Doors will open for graduate entry 90 minutes before the ceremony start time.
  • On arrival, graduates will pick up their card at designated registration tables. The card will be used as the graduate crosses the stage.
  • All graduates will participate in a processional. They will be directed to a designated spot to wait in line.

After the Ceremony

Graduate and Guest Exiting

Graduates are required to return to their seat on the arena floor after crossing the stage. After all graduates have crossed the stage, graduates and guests will rise to sing the Alma Mater.

Graduates will exit at the concourse level and are encouraged to make a plan to meet up with their guests in the parking garage or elsewhere after the ceremony. No guests will be permitted on the arena floor.

Torch Night Spring 2024

Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee is one of UT’s oldest traditions. Graduates have the opportunity to symbolically receive the Torch of Service, pledging to serve both the university and their community as responsible and loyal alumni.

When: Wednesday, May 15, at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Ayres Lawn

1403 Circle Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916

Rain Location: Thompson-Boling Arena 

fireworks shooting off top of Ayers hall during graduation torch night
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