UCF Hosts Spring 2023 Commencement May 5-6

UCF will award more than 9,000 degrees during six commencement ceremonies at Addition Financial Arena May 5-6, sending a talent pipeline of highly skilled graduates into careers that are vital for our region and our state.

Of the degrees UCF expects to award, 7,548 are bachelor’s, 1,291 are master’s, 171 are doctoral and 12 are education specialist degrees.

Overall, UCF anticipates awarding 2,789 degrees in STEM fields, 1,377 in engineering and computer science, 998 in business, 430 in hospitality management, 426 in nursing, 282 in biomedical sciences, 198 in digital media and 190 in elementary education.

Nearly half of the bachelor’s degree recipients (3,551) are students eligible to receive Pell Grants, demonstrating the university’s impact on social mobility. In addition, more than 1,600 bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to first-generation students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Commencement Festivities

Held in Addition Financial Arena, the spring commencement will take place May 5-6.

All guests, including children and infants, need a ticket for admission. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate will receive commencement ceremony tickets when they pick up their regalia packet.

Due to the graduating class size, graduates attending the Saturday, May 6, ceremony at 7 p.m. will receive four tickets for commencement. All other graduates will receive five tickets for their ceremonies.

Guests who do not have tickets may watch the live ceremony via a simulcast viewing in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed on UCF’s YouTube channel.

Commencement Photo-ops

Three different photo-ops on UCF’s main campus are available for students to their accomplishments.

The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos and this year the pond will have enhanced elements, such as flags on the lawn and black and gold balls in the water, April 22- May 8.

Graduating Knights will also be able to take photos in FBC Mortgage Stadium from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. May 1-4. Please enter through Gate 17 to access the stadium. Taking photos on the field is prohibited.

On Thursday, May 4, 3-7 p.m., spring graduates will be offered a photo-op — Grad Walk — within Addition Financial Arena. This will be a first-come, first-served occasion for graduates and up to 10 of their well-wishers to take photos and videos on the ceremony stage. No pre-registration is required.

Commencement Schedule

Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony dates and streaming links.

PLEASE NOTE: College of Sciences graduates in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media* and the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs** attend the Friday, May 5, 2023 – Evening Ceremony (7 p.m.). All other College of Sciences graduates attend the Saturday, May 6, 2023 – Evening Ceremony (7 p.m.)

May 5, 9 a.m.
College of Business Administration
College of Undergraduate Studies

May 5, 2 p.m.
College of Health Professions and Sciences
College of Medicine

May 5, 7 p.m.
Nicholson School of Communication and Media* (College of Sciences)
School of Politics, Security and International Affairs* (College of Sciences)
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

May 6, 9 a.m.
College of Community Innovation and Education
College of Nursing

May 6, 2 p.m.
College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Graduate Studies College of Optics and Photonics

May 6, 7 p.m.
College of Sciences (excluding Nicholson School of Communication and Media and School of Politics, Security and International Affairs)
College of Arts and Humanities