Celebrate Your Graduation
Whether you’re preparing to graduate or celebrating a family member’s achievement, this page includes the latest commencement information, ceremony details, honors information, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony
The UA 糖心视频logo William H. Bowen School of Law Commencement & Hooding Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 16th, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center.
The Hooding Ceremony is a special recognition that celebrates the academic achievement of graduates earning master’s or doctoral degrees. During the ceremony, a faculty member places the academic hood over each graduate, a tradition that symbolizes the successful completion of their graduate degree.
Graduating with Honors
A final determination is made once all grades are received for the last semester of school and class rankings are determined. The honors designation will be printed on the diploma and noted on the student鈥檚 final transcript. Graduates will wear the appropriate colored stole based on their honor received.
All honors designations are based on cumulative grade point average.
Summa Cum Laude 鈥� 3.70 and above
Magna Cum Laude 鈥� 3.50 to 3.6999
Cum Laude 鈥� 3.30 to 3.4999
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional regalia worn by some graduates represents membership in societies, associations, and organizations. If graduates fall under any of the following categories listed below:
- Summa Cum Laude
- Magna Cum Laude
- Cum Laude
- Law Review members
- Law Review Editorial Board
- Bowen Scholars
- Dean鈥檚 Certificate of Service
- Dean鈥檚 Certificate of Distinguished Service
- Advocacy (Moot Court and Trial Team)
- Military Veteran
These cords and stoles are not gifts and may not be kept. They must be returned to the designated location following the ceremony. All other student organization cords and stoles will need to come from the student organization鈥檚 president.
Please review information, and download the ParkMobile App.
Front spots will be reserved for the Provost, Chancellor, and Dean.
No. Final grades will not be in before the commencement exercises. Graduates will, however, receive a leather diploma cover. The law school鈥檚 registrar will let graduates know via email (your ualr.edu email address) when the diplomas have been delivered. In the email, graduates will be given the choice to pick up their diploma at the Bowen Registrar鈥檚 Office or have the diploma mailed to them. The diplomas are expected to be ready the first week of March.
A professional photographer will take photos when graduates shake the Dean鈥檚 hand. Family and friends are not allowed on the arena floor before of during the ceremony.
- Graduates will be given an index card when they arrive to be completely filled out. This card will be used to announce each graduate鈥檚 name during the ceremony.
- This card will be given to the photography company in order to contact graduates about photos.
- Photo proofs and ordering information will follow from the photography company if graduates provide their email on the card.
- There will also be a designated area to the left of the stage in the arena where a photographer will be stationed to take additional photos of graduates with family, friends, faculty, etc., after the ceremony.