University of Michigan - Flint

In order for students to graduate from the University of Michigan – Flint, they must submit an application for graduation on or before the posted deadline (deadlines are posted in the Schedule of Classes). Undergraduate students should submit applications their first semester upon reaching senior status (85 completed credit hours).

The graduation application initiates a graduation audit and within 6-8 weeks the student will receive an audit letter listing any lacking requirements. Graduation audit letters are emailed to students via their University email accounts. We strongly encourage all students to go over their audit letters with their advisors after they are received.

After a student has applied for graduation, any changes to the original application must be communicated to the Registrar’s Office via a Graduation Audit Update form. Failure to inform the Registrar’s Office of changes to the original application may result in delayed graduation plans. A second audit letter will only be generated if the student changes degree (i.e. BA to BS) or Catalog, or adds a major or minor.

The graduation application is the key to Commencement participation. Submitting the application on or before the posted deadline assures a student’s inclusion in the Commencement Program, Commencement mailings, official University graduation publications, Maize and Blue consideration, and honors recognition.

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, the student must inform the Registrar’s Office in writing of the new graduation date via the Graduation Audit 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 mails 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 in to the form. It is imperative students complete the online registration if they wish to participate in Commencement Ceremony. Admission to the December Commencement Ceremony is by ticket only, and only students who register are eligible to obtain tickets.

Two weeks before the Commencement ceremony, the Registrar’s Office sends out a second mailing to all of those students who have informed the Registrar of their intention to participate in Commencement. This mailing includes additional and more specific information regarding the ceremony.

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

If you have any questions about the Commencement Ceremony, please contact Krista Boonstra at (810) 762-3060 or boonstra@umflint.edu.

Commencement ceremonies begin at 2:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Undergraduate students who are graduating from the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education & Human Services, and School of Health Professions & Studies 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. CAS, SEHS, or SHPS students with at least a 3.75 overall GPA are recognized as graduating with High Honors.

Undergraduate students belonging to the School of Management must have a 3.2 within their last 58 hours at the beginning of their last semester to be recognized as graduating with Distinction at the Commencement Ceremony. SOM students with a 3.6 or higher in their last 58 hours are recognized as graduating with High Distinction.

At Commencement, honors graduates wear gold honor cords and have honors notations by their names in the Commencement Program. August graduates are only eligible to walk with honors at the December ceremony after they graduate.

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.

Diploma tubes 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.

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 Krista Boonstra in the Office of the Registrar at (810) 762-3060 or boonstra@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.

If you have questions about transcripts, please email or call our Transcript Clerk at (810) 766-6685.