{"id":633,"date":"2026-06-29T10:25:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.web.umflint.edu\/provost\/?page_id=633"},"modified":"2026-07-13T14:00:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T18:00:53","slug":"posthumous-degrees","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/policies\/posthumous-degrees\/","title":{"rendered":"Posthumous Degrees and Certificates of Accomplishment for Deceased Undergraduate and Graduate Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover fb-cover-text-box wp-duotone-black-and-white\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;min-height:100%;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-content\/themes\/flintblock\/assets\/images\/sidewalk-art.jpg\" style=\"object-position:50% 95%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"50% 95%\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-90 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient has-blue-gradient-gradient-background\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-15d3db16 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-xx-large-font-size wp-elements-453eaf88edc7bd7342d4b49c20817925\">Posthumous Degrees and Certificates of Accomplishment for Deceased Undergraduate and Graduate Students<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><nav class=\"is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-bd946717 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Sidebar Navigation\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" 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class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/newsletter\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Current Newsletter<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/faculty-staff-awards\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Faculty &amp; Staff Awards<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/jack-thompson\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Jack W. Thompson, M.D. Distinguished Visiting Professorship<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/academic-events\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Academic Events<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null, &quot;previousFocus&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/resources\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Resources<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"Resources submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/resources\/interfolio\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Interfolio Resources and Training<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/policies\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Policies<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/contact-us\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Contact Us<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Policy Type:<\/strong> Tri-Campus Policy (Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint)<br><strong>Date Issued:<\/strong> June 14, 2021<br><strong>Office Responsible:<\/strong> Office of the Provost \/ Office of the Registrar<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-brand-blue-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-brand-blue-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Posthumous Degrees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A posthumous degree will not be awarded as a matter of course but there are limited circumstances where it may be appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Eligibility Guidelines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are the guidelines to begin the process of consideration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The student was in good academic standing and was making normal progress toward a degree.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For an <strong>undergraduate student<\/strong>, this requires that the student had obtained senior status.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For a <strong>graduate student<\/strong>, this requires the student had completed at least three quarters of the credits required for the degree.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The awarding of any posthumous degree requires the strong support of the student\u2019s school or college and the department.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These requirements may be waived only in exceptional circumstances after thorough discussion by and consensus of the offices involved in this process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rackham Graduate Students:<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Process for Consideration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the process for considering whether to grant a posthumous degree:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Request Submission:<\/strong>&nbsp;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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Notification:<\/strong>&nbsp;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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Requirements Review:<\/strong>&nbsp;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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If Not Supported:<\/strong>&nbsp;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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If Supported:<\/strong>&nbsp;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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Final Determination:<\/strong>&nbsp;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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Notification of Decision:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>If approved:<\/strong> The Registrar or Dean\u2019s 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If denied:<\/strong> The Registrar\u2019s Office or Dean\u2019s Office will notify the family.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As appropriate, the Registrar will post the degree with a notation that the degree was awarded posthumously.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Degree Delivery:<\/strong> Posthumous degrees will be mailed or delivered to the family and will not be presented during commencement ceremonies.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Sample Transcript Notation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Degree(s) Awarded:<\/strong> Bachelor of Arts* DD-MM-YYYY<br><strong>Comment:<\/strong> *Bachelor of Arts Degree conferred DD-MM-YYYY granted POSTHUMOUSLY.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Certificates of Accomplishment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Eligibility and Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Last Enrollment<\/th><th>Process<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Within past 5 years<\/strong><\/td><td>Certificate awarded automatically upon confirmation by the Registrar<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>More than 5 years ago<\/strong><\/td><td>Considered upon family request; decision made by Dean of School\/College<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Certificate Requirements Summary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Student completed at least one semester<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Student was in good academic standing (GPA 2.0 or above)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certificate is signed by the Dean of the School\/College<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Posthumous Degree vs. Certificate of Accomplishment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Criteria<\/th><th>Posthumous Degree<\/th><th>Certificate of Accomplishment<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Academic Standing<\/strong><\/td><td>Good standing, normal progress<\/td><td>Good standing (2.0+ GPA)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Progress Required<\/strong><\/td><td>Undergraduate: Senior status<br>Graduate: 75% of credits completed<\/td><td>At least one semester completed<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Approval Process<\/strong><\/td><td>Dean \u2192 Executive Committee \u2192 Provost\/Chancellor<\/td><td>Registrar confirmation or Dean decision<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Signed By<\/strong><\/td><td>University officials (formal degree)<\/td><td>Dean of School\/College<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Delivery<\/strong><\/td><td>Mailed to family (not at commencement)<\/td><td>Provided to family<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-brand-blue-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-brand-blue-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>For questions about posthumous degrees or certificates of accomplishment, please contact the Office of the Registrar at <a href=\"mailto:Flint.Registrar.Support@umich.edu\">Flint.Registrar.Support@umich.edu<\/a><\/em> <em>or the Dean of your School or College.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"744\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/135\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2025-12-18-at-10.00.28-AM-1024x744.png\" alt=\"Sample certificate of achievement for the University of Dearborn\" class=\"wp-image-634\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/135\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2025-12-18-at-10.00.28-AM-1024x744.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/135\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2025-12-18-at-10.00.28-AM-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/135\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2025-12-18-at-10.00.28-AM-768x558.png 768w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/135\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2025-12-18-at-10.00.28-AM.png 1258w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Policy Type: Tri-Campus Policy (Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint)Date Issued: June 14, 2021Office 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"parent":683,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-633","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/633","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=633"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/633\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1503,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/633\/revisions\/1503"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}