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UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry will be closed Monday, Dec. 23, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, in observance of winter break.

The School of Dentistry will reopen Thursday, Jan. 2, and clinical operations resume Monday, Jan. 6. The Urgent Care Clinic will reopen by appointment only.

UTHealth Houston
School of Dentistry
Commencement Ceremony
Class of 2024

The 2024 UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Commencement ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. CDT on Friday, May 10, 2024, at NRG Arena (One NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054).

Note: All spring 2024 and summer 2024 graduates are eligible to participate. Commencements have returned to school-hosted events and are no longer combined with other UTHealth Houston schools.

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Commencement Websites

Ceremony information specific to the graduates of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry will be featured on the commencement sites.

More details will be available over the coming months.

Commencement Ceremony Details

Date: Friday, May 10, 2024
Time: 3:00 p.m. CDT

Location

NRG Arena
One NRG Park
Houston, TX 77054

NRG Arena

Driving Directions and Parking

The Maroon Lot is designated for the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Commencement ceremony.

  • Parking is $20 per vehicle. Credit or debit card only. 
  • Enter from Gates 3, 4, 9 or 10.
  • Accessible parking is available in Maroon Lot areas 6, 8, 10, and 13.
  • Download the parking map here.

Ceremony

Doors open for graduates and guests: 1:00 p.m. CDT

Approximate end time: 5:00 p.m. CDT

Livestream and Recording Link: Available prior to the event.

Guest Attendance

  • We are not imposing a guest limit, and tickets are not required for the commencement ceremony. Guest seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Livestream

Recap

Graduation 2023

Program

Invitation

All spring 2024 and summer 2024 graduates from the campuses are eligible to participate in the May 10 commencement ceremony. We are not imposing a guest limit, and tickets are not required for the ceremony.

The commencement invitation form will be sent to the university emails of spring 2024 and summer 2024 graduation candidates in February 2024.

Invitation

Regalia

Announcement Orders

  • Graduates and candidates who want to send personal, hard-copy ceremony invitations to their family and friends can print or order announcements using the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry template available on our Canva site

Diplomas

  • UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry graduates will not receive their diplomas at the ceremony.
  • Spring graduates will receive their diplomas approximately three days after the ceremony.
  • Official UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry diploma frames are available to order online through the USA Diploma Frames website.

Arrival

  • Check-in starts at 12:30 a.m. at the Graduates’ Check-in area. Graduates must arrive by 1:30 p.m.
  • Personal Belongings
    • Graduates should leave personal items with their guests. Items carried to the graduate seating section should be placed in pockets or left in the seat when walking to the stage. Do not carry any items with you to the stage.  

Attire

Note: This formal event serves as both the commencement and convocation to celebrate and publicly confer your degree. The University president, school deans, and University of Texas System representatives will be present.

The dress for graduates under the regalia and guests is business casual. Due to the warm weather conditions that are typical during May, lightweight clothing is recommended.

  • Necklaces should be tucked inside of the gown. 
  • No sneakers or other athletic shoes, flip flops, slippers, sandals, bare feet, or stocks.
  • High-heeled shoes are allowed but not recommended if you are uncomfortable walking on stairs or ramps, on various surfaces, or standing in them for up to 20 minutes.
  • No props (e.g., feather boas, glow-in-the-dark or lighted items, bells, etc.) or decorations should be worn on any part of the regalia.
  • Stoles, sashes, and cords directly related to academic achievements or official UTHealth Houston student organizations are allowed.  

Photography

During the ceremony, professional stage and candid photos will be taken and available for free download through a link sent to participants approximately one week after the event. Stations will be available in the main hall for family and friends to take pictures with graduates.

Photos from past events and graduation ceremonies can be accessed. Here is the link to the Dentistry 2023 photos. The password is Dentistry2023 (case sensitive).