Apply for Graduation and Graduation Deadlines

Students must apply to graduate in order to have the degree awarded. The deadlines for the conferrals are listed below:

Important: Students will automatically receive an invitation only for the first ceremony that they qualify for. If you are interested in attending a future term in which you qualify, you will need to contact Academic Records and Dissertations or reply to the invitation email you receive. The invitation that students receive automatically will include a question asking if you would like to attend the next ceremony.

Applying for Graduation in Wolverine Access

Students applying for graduation should use the self-service graduation application in Wolverine Access (Students > Student Business > NavBar > Navigator > Degree/Progress > Apply for Graduation). Please see these step-by-step instructions.

To receive your master’s degree or certificate, you must apply for graduation through Wolverine Access. If the exact degree/diploma you wish to apply for does not appear on Wolverine Access, contact your department/program before you can apply. Students who have applied for degree by the master’s and certificate deadline will have their names printed in the commencement program. Applications for graduation will be accepted until the last day of classes of the term in which you wish to receive your degree/diploma; however, your name will not appear in the commencement program. It is your responsibility to see that all requirements are met and recorded by the last day of classes in the term you have applied for degree/diploma. If you have questions about your academic requirements please contact your department.

Important Degree Information

Grades

Final grades must be submitted by instructors no later than 72 hours after the last day of exams. If you are enrolled in the term you expect to receive your degree, inform your instructors so that late grade reporting is avoided. This is especially important if electing Law School courses.

Undergraduate Credentials

If your undergraduate degree is not from the University of Michigan, review your U-M transcript to verify that your undergraduate degree has been posted to your record. Go to Wolverine Access and look at the end of your U-M transcript for your undergraduate school name and address, degree citation (B.A., B.S., etc.) and the date received. If the degree citation with date received does not appear, contact Rackham Admissions.

Transfer of Credit

The deadline for completing the transfer of credit is the last day of classes in the term you’ve applied for graduation. Since transferring credit takes time, see your graduate program administrator immediately for further information. If you are transferring credit to your academic record, you must follow the Graduate School procedure and submit a transfer of credit request.

Dual/Joint Degrees

If you are in a dual/joint degree program (not including doctoral degrees) you must submit the correct Dual/Joint Degree Election form for each program’s review and signature. The second program must forward the form to Rackham for approval before the last day of classes in the term you have applied for graduation.

Diploma

A University diploma will be mailed to you from the Diploma Office approximately 12 weeks after Degree conferral. Degree postings will appear on your official transcript approximately one month after the last day of classes. The standard size of a Rackham diploma is 8 1/2″ x 11″.

Deadline for Program and Rackham Graduate School Requirements

All program and Rackham Graduate School requirements (including transfer of credit, dual/joint election forms, etc.) must be completed, approved and appear on your transcript (if applicable) by the last day of classes in the term that you wish to graduate.

More information on minimum Rackham degree requirements can be found in the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies. If you have questions about your academic requirements please contact your department.