University of Michigan-Flint

1.  Submit an application for graduation on or before the posted deadline below.  Undergraduate students should submit an application upon reaching upper senior status (100 completed hours with at least 20 credits at UM-Flint). Graduate students should submit an application two semesters before completing their program.  Submitting the application on or before the posted deadline assures a student's inclusion in the commencement program booklet, commencement mailing, official University graduation publications, Maize and Blue consideration, and honors recognition.

2.  Run a degree evaluation (CAPP) through the SIS system.  Print the evaluation and make an appointment with your advisor.  We STRONGLY recommend students review their progress on a regular basis with their advisor.  Instructions for running a Degree Evaluation (CAPP)

3.  Confirm that course substitution or waiver memos have been sent to the Registrar's Office.

4.  RSVP to the Commencement invitation that will be sent by email approximately three months before the ceremony.  The RSVP will be an on-line form that must be completed to attend the ceremony.  Watch your UM-Flint email for information on the ceremony date, time, purchasing cap & gown and honors.

NOTE: Any changes to the original application must be communicated to the Registrar's Office via a Graduation Update form.  Failure to inform the Registrar's Office of changes to the original application may result in delayed graduation plans.  If a student does not complete degree requirements the semester s/he declared on the graduation application, the graduation application becomes inactive.  To reactivate the application, fill out the Graduation Update form.

If you have any questions about applying for graduation, please contact the Office of the Registrar at (810) 762-3344.

The University of Michigan - Flint holds two commencement ceremonies each year in May and December. August graduates are invited to attend either ceremony, but can only be recognized as graduating with honors at the December ceremony. Approximately eight weeks into the Fall and Winter semesters, the Registrar's Office emails commencement invitations and registration directions to all students who have turned in graduation applications for that semester. Registration for commencement participation is via an electronic registration form. Students will use their UMID and SIS password to log into the form. It is imperative students complete the online registration if they wish to participate in commencement ceremony.

Tickets and parking passes will be handed out prior to ceremony. Tickets will be available only for those students who register to attend the ceremony. Students will need a valid student I.D. to pick up the tickets. The tickets are general admission tickets, and guests will be able to sit anywhere in the arena.

Graduates are eligible to attend only one commencement ceremony per degree earned at the University of Michigan - Flint.

If you have questions about the commencement ceremony, please call the Office of the Registrar at (810) 762-3344.

Undergraduate students must have a 3.5 overall GPA at the beginning of their last semester to be recognized as graduating with Honors at the commencement ceremony. Students with at least a 3.75 overall GPA are recognized as graduating with High Honors.

At commencement, honors graduates wear gold honor cords and have their honor notation by their names in the commencement program. August graduates are only eligible to walk with honors at the December ceremony after they graduate.  Graduate level students receive a ceremonial hood during the ceremony.

Honor cords are awarded to honor students at their schools' Honors Convocation Ceremony or Graduation Celebration Party. These functions are usually held the week before commencement. Invitations to these ceremonies are sent out to students through the various Dean's Offices. If a student is unable to attend the honors ceremony, honor cords can also be obtained by eligible students at the Registrar's tables the day of commencement.

If you have any questions about the Honors Convocation Ceremony or Graduation Celebration Party, please contact your Dean's Office.

Maize & Blue

The Maize & Blue award is the University’s highest undergraduate award and is presented to no more than thirteen graduates at the May and December Commencement Ceremonies. Maize & Blue Award winners are presented a plaque at the Commencement Ceremony and the award is noted on their official transcripts and diplomas. The Commencement student speaker is chosen from the group of Maize & Blue Award winners. August graduates are eligible for the award only the December after they finish degree requirements.

Students who have a 3.75 overall GPA in their last 58 credit hours at the beginning of their last semester are eligible to be nominated for the award. Once the list of eligible students is determined, the academic departments are asked for nominations from that list. Nominations are submitted to the Scholarships, Awards, and Special Events Committee, and the Committee elects the award winners from the students who were nominated.

If you have questions regarding the Maize & Blue Award, please contact the Provost’s Office at (810) 762-3177.

Master and Doctorate Level

The official Hooding Ceremony of graduate students at the University of Michigan-Flint takes place during commencement.  This process adds to the graduation experience by making it possible to focus on advanced degree candidates and their accomplishments.  It allows graduate faculty and staff, family and friends a chance to witness the ceremonial hooding of the graduate student, recognizing the completion of their graduate studies during commencement.  Hoods are essentially the most expressive component of the academic costume.  They serve to communicate the graduate's school, degree and field of study through their length and the colors of the lining and binding.

Diploma covers are distributed to graduates at the Commencement ceremony. Graduates should expect to receive their actual diplomas in the mail about eight to ten weeks after the day of Commencement. Diplomas are mailed to graduates address on file.

Please note that tuition, fees, and all financial obligations must be paid in full before a diploma can be issued.

University of Michigan diplomas do not list majors or minors, only degree name (e.g. Bachelor of Arts). Academic honors, Maize & Blue Award, and Honors Scholar Program are listed on the diploma under the degree name.

If you have any questions about diplomas, please contact Brenda Pope in the Office of the Registrar at (810) 766-6835 or bkpope@umflint.edu.

Every graduate will receive a complimentary transcript with his/her newly acquired degree posted at the top. A University of Michigan – Flint academic transcript is the most official document a graduate can offer as proof of a degree. The complimentary transcript will be mailed to graduates’ homes four to five weeks after the last day of exams.

Please note that tuition, fees, and all financial obligations must be paid in full before an official transcript can be issued.

If you have questions about transcripts, please email or call our Transcript Clerk at (810) 766-6782.