Posthumous Degrees and Certificates of Accomplishment
Posthumous Degrees and Certificates of Accomplishment for Deceased Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Policy Type: Tri-Campus Policy (Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint)
Date Issued: June 14, 2021
Office Responsible: Office of the Provost / Office of the Registrar
Posthumous Degrees
A posthumous degree will not be awarded as a matter of course but there are limited circumstances where it may be appropriate.
Eligibility Guidelines
These are the guidelines to begin the process of consideration:
- The student was in good academic standing and was making normal progress toward a degree.
- For an undergraduate student, this requires that the student had obtained senior status.
- For a graduate student, this requires the student had completed at least three quarters of the credits required for the degree.
- A student who did not attend classes for one year or longer will not be eligible for a posthumous degree unless there is a documented, prolonged medical reason for not attending class.
- The awarding of any posthumous degree requires the strong support of the student’s school or college and the department.
- These requirements may be waived only in exceptional circumstances after thorough discussion by and consensus of the offices involved in this process.
- Rackham Graduate Students: Graduate students enrolled in the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies must have completed all requirements to receive a degree after death. No exceptions will be granted.
Process for Consideration
This is the process for considering whether to grant a posthumous degree:
- Request Submission: The Dean of the school or college of record may submit a request for a posthumous degree with supporting documentation to the Registrar. The Dean may receive requests from the surviving family members or others.
- Notification: The Dean will notify the Provost in Ann Arbor or the Chancellor at Flint and Dearborn, as appropriate, and the Vice President and Secretary that the request was submitted to the Registrar.
- Requirements Review: The School/College will determine if the requirements stated above have been met and will notify the Dean of that determination. If the requirements are met the Dean may then reach out to the family to obtain their support for continuing the process.
- If Not Supported: If the Dean does not support the granting of a posthumous degree then the Dean will notify the Registrar and the Dean or Registrar will notify the family if they have been contacted.
- If Supported: If the Dean supports granting a posthumous degree then the Dean will provide the supporting documentation to the School or College Executive Committee/Faculty Governing Committee, which will determine whether to recommend approval or denial of the request.
- Final Determination: The recommendation of the Executive Committee/Faculty Governing Committee will be sent to the Dean, the Registrar, the Provost (Ann Arbor) or the Chancellor (Flint or Dearborn) and to the Vice President and Secretary. The Provost or Chancellor and the Vice President and Secretary will consult and make a determination on granting the degree.
- Notification of Decision:
- If approved: The Registrar or Dean’s Office will notify the family, post the awarding of the degree (to the next closest conferral date), and send a copy of the transcript with the degree posted.
- If denied: The Registrar’s Office or Dean’s Office will notify the family.
- As appropriate, the Registrar will post the degree with a notation that the degree was awarded posthumously.
- Degree Delivery: Posthumous degrees will be mailed or delivered to the family and will not be presented during commencement ceremonies.
Sample Transcript Notation
Degree(s) Awarded: Bachelor of Arts* DD-MM-YYYY
Comment: *Bachelor of Arts Degree conferred DD-MM-YYYY granted POSTHUMOUSLY.
Certificates of Accomplishment
When a deceased student had completed at least one semester and was in good academic standing (2.0 or above), the family may be given a Certificate of Accomplishment that is signed by the Dean of the School/College.
Eligibility and Process
| Last Enrollment | Process |
|---|---|
| Within past 5 years | Certificate awarded automatically upon confirmation by the Registrar |
| More than 5 years ago | Considered upon family request; decision made by Dean of School/College |
Certificate Requirements Summary
- Student completed at least one semester
- Student was in good academic standing (GPA 2.0 or above)
- Certificate is signed by the Dean of the School/College
Posthumous Degree vs. Certificate of Accomplishment
| Criteria | Posthumous Degree | Certificate of Accomplishment |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Standing | Good standing, normal progress | Good standing (2.0+ GPA) |
| Progress Required | Undergraduate: Senior status Graduate: 75% of credits completed | At least one semester completed |
| Approval Process | Dean → Executive Committee → Provost/Chancellor | Registrar confirmation or Dean decision |
| Signed By | University officials (formal degree) | Dean of School/College |
| Delivery | Mailed to family (not at commencement) | Provided to family |
For questions about posthumous degrees or certificates of accomplishment, please contact the Office of the Registrar or the Dean of your School or College.
