Accessibility Needs Access
UAB provides the following accommodations for graduates and guests with special needs.
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Accessible Parking
Accessible “handicap” parking is available in the lot on the south side of Bartow Arena in UAB LOT 24 (13th Street South between University Blvd and 6th Ave). This lot is available to persons with a valid state issued handicap permits or tags. To access this lot, please show proper handicap credentials to the attendant at the 13th Street South barricade. Please plan to arrive early as reserved seating is not guaranteed.
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Accessible Entrance into Bartow Arena
Guests who need easy access to elevators are advised to enter through the 13th Street lower level entrance. Security will be at the entrance to allow only those patrons needing access to an elevator (plus one guest) to enter and lead them to the elevator.
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Accessible (Wheelchair) Seating
- Guests who have mobility impairments are advised to arrive when the arena opens, when the availability of seating is greatest.
- A designated area with limited seating for guests who utilize a wheelchair is available on a first come, first served basis. Guests who use a wheelchair may be accompanied by one companion in the designated wheelchair seating area. Once accessible seating is full, all other guests with mobility impairments (plus 1 guest), will be directed to the elevator and brought down to the main floor area seating.
- There is one entrance (the main entrance on the south side of the building) to Bartow Arena on the concourse level, that guests do not have to walk up steps in order to access the building. All individuals needing an accessible entrance are advised to enter at either the main entrance (7th Avenue S) or the 13th Street, lower level entrance.
- Graduates who are unable to use stairs will have the opportunity to meet for a "practice" run-through at Bartow Area. This will allow an opportunity to use the wheelchair lift and practice crossing the stage. For date/time and additional information, please contact Disability Support Services at (205) 934-4205.
- UAB does not have wheelchairs available in Bartow Arena; guests requiring a wheelchair must supply their own.
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Auditory Assistance
- An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be present on stage for guests whose preferred mode of communication is American Sign Language. Guests needing access to view the interpreter are advised to sit in Sections 114 or 115.
- Real-time captioning services are also available for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. A captioner will be transcribing the ceremony and guests can view the captions on their smart device. You may request a WiFi password by contacting Jessica Eddings at
jeddings@uab.edu . - Guests viewing captioning through the Wi-Fi network should sit in Section 107 for stronger connectivity to the network. If you require captioning services it is recommended that you arrive 1 hour prior to the ceremony, as seating is first come first served.
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Elevators
Elevator is located in the northwest corner of the facility.
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Restrooms
An accessible ADA restroom is located on the lower level concourse.
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Service Animals
Bartow Arena is a place of public accommodation. Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, service animals that are specifically trained to aid a person who is disabled may be present at commencement ceremonies.
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Availability of Information in Accessible Formats
This information will be made available in accessible formats upon request. Please contact Jessica Eddings in the Office of the Provost at
jeddings@uab.edu or (205) 975-7724.
Regalia & Merchandise
UAB bachelor's and master's graduates will be “Walking Green” at Commencement.
Regalia – which includes caps and gowns – makes Commencement ceremonies a visually stimulating experience and highlights the importance of the day for graduates and UAB. Learn more about how to purchase Commencement regalia prior to the ceremony, as well as UAB merchandise (announcements, class rings, and diploma frames) to commemorate graduation. There is a process in place for graduates and their friends and families to obtain a branding permission letter to share with bakeries to use UAB trademarks on cakes and edible goods.
GreenWeaver regalia is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. It takes an average of 23 plastic bottles to manufacture one cap and gown, meaning that your class has the opportunity to divert over 87,000 plastic bottles from landfills. GreenWeaver is also cooler and lighter weight than non-sustainable fabric.
Students in the School of Dentistry, UAB Heersink School of Medicine, and School of Optometry should note that their schools typically coordinate the specifics of these orders.
Dress Code/Academic Regalia
Commencement recognizes the academic achievements of UAB graduates and is considered a formal academic ceremony that should be viewed as such in dress and demeanor. The undergraduate and master’s academic robes are green. The recommended dress for graduates is comfortable business attire.
Order regalia for Bachelor/Masters/PhD/Optometry degrees Opens an external link. Order regalia for Faculty (not medical and dental) Opens an external link.
Order regalia for Medical and Dental (must be paid for at time of pick up) Opens an external link.
Order regalia for Faculty - Medical and Dental Opens an external link.
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Bachelor's Regalia
All Grad Packs include a one-year membership in The University of Alabama at Birmingham National Alumni Society. Please contact
regalia@uab.edu to order your regalia. The regalia order deadline is March 20, 2025.Due to COVID, returns on opened regalia will not be accepted.
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Master's Regalia
All Grad Packs include a one-year membership in The University of Alabama at Birmingham National Alumni Society. Please contact
regalia@uab.edu to order your regalia. The regalia order deadline is March 20, 2025.For store hours please visit the UAB Bookstore website. For questions concerning cap and gown, please contact
regalia@uab.edu . Please see the Distance Learning section below for information on how to order your cap and gown if you cannot attend Grad Fest or pick up your cap and gown in store. -
Doctoral Regalia (Excluding O.D., M.D., and D.M.D.)
Custom Doctoral Regalia
All custom regalia orders will need to be placed by March 20, 2025 to ensure delivery before Fall Commencement. View the pricing for regalia and descriptions of the fabric. You can purchase the full regalia or pieces. See a picture of this regalia. For pictures of different custom regalia that you can purchase in black, please look here. The pieces of doctoral regalia include a robe, a hood, a tam, and a tassel. You would purchase regalia in your highest degree earned and you can just purchase pieces.
For custom regalia we will need the following measurements:
- To be tailored for: Male or Female
- Height with shoes (top of head to floor): feet and inches
- Approximate weight: pounds
- Chest measurement: inches
- Shirt sleeve length (Measurement from center-back base of neck, over the top of the shoulder and along the outer arm to desired length.): inches
- Neck size: inches
- Floor clearance desired (If not specified, robes will be sized approximately 8” from the floor): inches
- Cap or Tam (Measure around the head approximately 1” above the brow, pulling the tape measure snugly. Give measurement in inches.): inches
You must come into the store or puchase the custom regalia online. Please email
regalia@uab.edu with any questions. Again, the deadline for custom regalia is March 20, 2025.Rental Doctoral Regalia
Student rental doctoral regalia forms are due March 20, 2025 to ensure you have regalia for the Commencement Ceremony. Students can rent packages for the ceremony. Students can also rent and/or purchase individual pieces. Payment for rental packages will be due at time of purchase. Regalia will be available for pick up around April 27 at the UAB Bookstore located in the Hill Student Center at 1400 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35233. Please visit our website for store hours. If you are unable to pick up your own regalia, please designate an alternate pick-up person on the form as requested.
Distance Learning Students
If you are unable to attend the ceremony, it will be livestreamed and links will be made available on the Commencement website. You will still receive your diploma, as participation in the ceremony has no impact on your degree. Also, you are welcome to participate in future ceremonies when you are able. Please contact us during the semester of the ceremony in which you wish to participate.
Honors Graduates
Undergraduate students who have achieved meritorious scholastic standing are eligible to wear a gold honors cord. Honors designations are based on grades reported at the end of the previous term and may not reflect all earned honors. The honors designations for undergraduates are as follows:
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.9 – 4.00 overall grade point average
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.7 – 3.89 overall grade point average
- Cum Laude: 3.5 – 3.69 overall grade point average
Graduation Announcements, Frames, Rings
Announcements can be purchased online through CB Graduation Products. Generally, students receive their announcements within 2-3 weeks; rush service is available for an additional fee.
UAB diploma frames are available at the UAB Bookstore (in Hill Student Center, 1400 University Blvd). They can also be purchased through the UAB Bookstore.
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Optometry, Doctor of Medicine, and Doctor of Dental Medicine graduates should contact
UAB class rings are available from Balfour. Display cases of sample rings and brochures are available at the UAB Bookstore.
Representatives from Balfour will be at Grad Fest to take orders. Orders may also be placed online through Balfour.
Faculty Regalia
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Rentals
Faculty members that are hooding students, attending the ceremony, or volunteering as faculty marshals please send your height, approximate weight, terminal degree, and the school in which you received your terminal degree to
commencement@uab.edu by March 20, 2025. Any orders received after this date may be fulfilled with UAB stock regalia.Regalia will be available for pick up the week of commencement from the UAB bookstore in the Hill Student Center.
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Purchases
If you wish to purchase regalia, please contact the UAB Bookstore at
sm536@bncollege.com to set up a fitting. Please keep in mind that it takes 4 to 6 weeks to make custom regalia, so orders for custom regalia must be submitted at least 6 weeks before the ceremony.
Register to Graduate & RSVP to Walk
Register to Walk
CEREMONY DATES & TIMES
- Friday, May 2 at 3:00 p.m. - doors open at 2:00 p.m.
All graduate students - Saturday, May 3 at 9:30 a.m. - doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Undergraduate students from College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education and Human Sciences - Saturday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m. - doors open at 1:00 p.m.
Undergraduate students from Collat School of Business, School of Engineering, School of Health Professions, School of Nursing, and School of Public Health
The deadline to register to walk is April 25.
If you wish to attend your commencement ceremony, you must register to walk, in addition to applying for your degree. Applying for your degree and registering for the ceremony are separate processes.
To participate in the commencement ceremony, you must RSVP to walk. If you are not on the RSVP list, you will not be allowed to participate in commencement. The RSVP allows us to factor you into our seating plans and if you miss the deadline, it is possible that we may not be able to seat you with the other graduation students.
If you are not sure whether you will attend, it is best to register anyway. It is a much safer outcome for us to have too many seats than too few.
IMPORTANT: You must RSVP to confirm your attendance to participate in the commencement ceremony. You will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony if you are not registered.
Undergraduate
Please read carefully:
- Before completing the online application, you should consult with your academic advisor to verify which courses are needed to complete your degree requirements.
- Please fill out the application completely. If there are discrepancies with the information listed, please contact the Registrar’s Office or your academic advisor for assistance.
- Upon submitting the Application for Degree in BlazerNet, you will receive three email notifications:
- Application is received
- Application has been reviewed
- Application has been approved or denied.
- It is your responsibility to notify the Registrar’s Office if your local mailing address changes after you have submitted your application for a degree.
- Your diploma cannot be mailed if you have any financial obligation to UAB. Please notify the Registrar’s Office once your account is clear.
- If you do not take, pass, or receive a grade in a course(s) indicated on your Application for Degree, your degree will not be awarded. Please check with your academic advisor to discuss your options.
- If you do not meet your degree requirements by the time of your expected graduation date, you will need to change your graduation date. Please do not fill out another Application for Degree. Simply fill out the Change of Graduation Date form.
- You should file the Application for Degree at least six months before completing work for a baccalaureate degree. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for the Application for Degree deadline for each semester.
Complete the Undergraduate Application for Degree Opens an external link.
Graduate School
Students planning to graduate in the upcoming term can access the Application for Graduate Degree/Certificate online through BlazerNET by clicking Links/Forms and selecting Apply for Graduate Degree/Certificate. The application must be submitted by the deadline date listed on the Graduate School website; however, check with your department as some programs have earlier deadline dates (e.g. School of Education and Human Sciences). Upon submission of the application for degree/certificate, a fee will be assessed to your student account. This fee covers the verification of your curriculum requirements and your diploma (if earning a graduate degree) and will only be assessed the first time you apply to graduate. The fee for graduate degrees is $60 and the fee for graduate certificates is $20.
Additional information is available at the Graduate School website.
O.D., M.D. and D.M.D. Graduates
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School of Dentistry
Graduates of the School of Dentistry do not submit formal degree applications. The School of Dentistry automatically orders diplomas for all students who successfully complete the program.
For additional questions, contact Student, Alumni, and External Affairs in the School of Dentistry:
- E-mail:
Abby Vinson - Phone: (205) 934-3387
- In-Person: School of Dentistry, room 125 (Office of Student, Alumni, and External Affairs) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.
- E-mail:
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School of Medicine
Graduates of the School of Medicine do not submit formal degree applications. Students, however, should complete a Diploma Order Form in order to receive their diplomas; this form, as well as other graduation documents, are available at the Senior Class Meeting (typically held in February each year) or on the School of Medicine website. Please note that these documents do not become available until mid-January of each year.
For additional questions about degree requirements, contact the Records Office in the School of Medicine:
- E-mail:
Debbie Blackstone - Phone: (205) 934-4965
- In-Person: Volker Hall, room 100 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.
- E-mail:
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School of Optometry
Graduates of the School of Optometry do not submit formal degree applications. The School of Optometry automatically orders diplomas for all students who successfully complete the program.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Student Affairs in the School of Optometry:
- E-mail:
Connie Wright - Phone: (205) 975-0739
- In-Person: Henry Peters Building, room 124 (Office of Student Affairs) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.
- E-mail:
Fall Commencement Ceremony
The Spring Commencement Ceremonies will be held on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 at Bartow Arena.
Graduate Commencement
Friday, May 2 at 3:00 p.m.
Location: Bartow Arena
All graduate students. Doors open at 2:00 p.m..
Undergraduate Commencement
Saturday, May 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Bartow Arena
Undergraduate ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education and Human Sciences. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Saturday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Bartow Arena
Undergraduate ceremony for the Collat School of Business, School of Engineering, School of Health Professions, School of Nursing, and School of Public Health. Doors open at 1:00 p.m.
UAB Graduate School Commencement
All graduate students (master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral) will participate in a combined commencement ceremony.
Requirements & Deadlines
- Requirements for Completing a Graduate Degree
- Deadlines for Application for Degree or Graduate-Level Certificate
- Application for Graduate Degree/Certificate (available within BlazerNET)
Regarding Your Faculty Chair (Doctoral Candidates)
Each doctoral candidate should ask his or her dissertation committee chair or a committee member to participate in the hooding ceremony. If no one from your committee is available to serve in this capacity, the person whom you ask to assist in the hooding must be a faculty member in your program. You will need to identify the faculty member who will hood you to confirm his/her availability. Faculty should inform the Graduate School of their plans to attend and to provide the names of any doctoral candidates they intend to hood.
Receiving Your Degree
Upon completion of your degree requirements and the absence of financial holds, diplomas are mailed approximately within 5 weeks after the graduation date to the address listed on your Application for Degree form.
After degree requirements are completed, degrees are posted to student academic transcripts within two weeks.
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Change of Address
To change your diploma mailing address, you must notify the UAB Graduate School either by completing the Graduation Change of Address form. If the Graduate School does not receive notification of your change of address per this form, you will be charged a duplicate diploma fee. Contact the Graduate School at
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Transcripts
Students may view and request their transcripts within BlazerNET.
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Degree Verification
Verification of Degree letters may be requested through National Student Clearinghouse. If your graduate degree has not yet been awarded and you have completed all degree requirements but you require a degree verification letter for employment or other purposes, please contact the Graduate School at
gradschool@uab.edu for assistance.