Douglas Olsen
Students at the University of Michigan graduate at different times of the year, depending on their campus and degree type. For example, the University of Michigan-Dearborn holds commencement ceremonies in December and April/May, while the University of Michigan-Flint holds commencement ceremonies in late April or early May and December. Students graduating in August from either of these campuses are invited to participate in either of the ceremonies. The University of Michigan also offers a self-service graduation application through Wolverine Access, where students can apply for graduation and receive their master's degree or certificate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Graduation application | Students must apply to graduate by filling out a Graduation Application |
| Application deadline | Undergraduate students should apply upon reaching 90 completed credits with at least 20 credits at UM-Flint |
| Degree requirements | Students must complete all degree requirements for graduation to be approved |
| Commencement ceremony | The University of Michigan holds commencement ceremonies in December and April/May |
| Diploma receipt | Diplomas are mailed to graduates' addresses on file and typically arrive within 4-6 weeks after the degree is posted |
| Transcript honours | Honours are posted to the transcript and diploma based on the GPA calculation following the final audit and degree conferral |
| Transfer of credits | The deadline for completing the transfer of credit is the last day of classes in the term the student has applied for graduation |
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What You'll Learn
University of Michigan graduation requirements
The graduation requirements at the University of Michigan vary depending on the specific program and college. However, there are some general requirements that apply to most undergraduate programs.
For undergraduate students, a minimum of 120 credit hours is typically required for graduation, with an overall average grade of C (2.00) or higher. Students must also complete a certain number of upper-level credits, which are usually courses numbered 300-499 or 3000-4999. The specific number of upper-level credits required can vary by program and college. For example, in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, students must complete at least 30 credit hours of upper-level CECS coursework.
In addition to the credit requirements, students must also fulfill certain distribution requirements. This includes completing 7 credits in each of the following three areas: Natural Science (NS), Social Science (SS), and Humanities (HU) for a total of 21 credits. Students also need 3 additional credits in three out of the following five areas: NS, SS, HU, Mathematical and Symbolic Analysis (MSA), and Creative Expression (CE) for a total of 9 credits.
The University of Michigan also has a language requirement. Students can fulfill this requirement by achieving fourth-term proficiency in a language other than English through one of the following ways: certified proficiency on a University of Michigan reading and/or listening placement exam, earning a C- or better in a fourth-term language course at the University of Michigan, or transferring equivalent credits.
Another requirement for graduation is the Upper-level Writing Requirement (ULWR), which can usually be fulfilled by taking one approved course related to the student's major. This requirement cannot be fulfilled by transfer credits.
For students seeking additional undergraduate degrees, there are specific guidelines and requirements depending on the college and program. For example, students seeking both a B.S.E. and M.S.E. degree from the College of Engineering should refer to the Combined Bachelor's and Master's Programs for details. Obtaining additional bachelor's degrees in the College of Engineering requires completing the requirements of each degree program.
Additionally, the University of Michigan offers distinctions for students who excel academically. Undergraduate students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or above are recommended for graduation "With High Distinction," which is noted on their transcripts and diplomas.
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Applying for graduation
Step 1: Review Your Undergraduate Degree Information
If your undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, you can skip this step. Otherwise, review your U-M transcript to verify that your undergraduate degree information is posted to your record. Access your transcript through Wolverine Access, and ensure that your undergraduate school name, address, degree citation (B.A., B.S., etc.), and the date received are accurate. If any of this information is missing, contact Rackham Admissions for assistance.
Step 2: Transfer of Credits (if applicable)
If you are transferring credits to your academic record, you must follow the Graduate School procedure. Submit a transfer of credit request and ensure that the process is completed by the last day of classes in the term you've applied for graduation. If you are in a dual/joint degree program (excluding doctoral degrees), remember to submit the appropriate Dual/Joint Degree Election form for each program's review and signature.
Step 3: Prepare Application Requirements
Gather and prepare the necessary application requirements, which may include tests, statements, transcripts, and other supporting documents. These requirements can be found on the Rackham Graduate School and graduate program websites. It is essential to consult the program website for specific admission requirements, as programs establish their own criteria and timelines.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Submit your completed application by the deadline using ApplyWeb. You will need to create an ApplyWeb account and upload all required documents, such as transcripts, CV or resume, academic statement of purpose, personal statement, and more. If you are an international student, ensure that you provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport, and Rackham will assist with immigration documents for visas.
Step 5: Track Your Application Status
After submitting your application, you will receive an email confirming that your application has been downloaded from ApplyWeb. Follow the instructions in the email to set up your U-M Friend Account, which allows you to track the status of your application and access related materials. Both the graduate program and Rackham will communicate with you throughout the process.
Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure that all graduation requirements are met and recorded by the last day of classes in the term you have applied for your degree/diploma. Degrees are typically conferred three times a year, and your University diploma will be mailed to you approximately 12 weeks after degree conferral.
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Commencement ceremony
The University of Michigan holds commencement ceremonies in December and April/May, with the latter referred to as Spring Commencement. Spring Commencement 2025 is scheduled for May 3.
Commencement is a formal ceremony that celebrates the achievements and completion of degree requirements. All degree candidates and recipients are eligible to participate in the ceremony, though attendance does not confirm a student's graduation. Students graduating in August can choose to participate in either the April/May or December ceremony.
Students applying for graduation should use the self-service graduation application in Wolverine Access. Applications are accepted until the last day of classes of the term in which a student wishes to receive their degree. However, names will not be printed in the commencement program unless the application is submitted by the master's and certificate deadline. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all requirements are met and recorded by the last day of classes in the term they have applied for their degree.
The University of Michigan strives to ensure that all graduates and guests can fully participate in commencement celebrations. The ceremonies include driving directions, parking maps, and information on accommodations.
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Timing of diploma receipt
At the University of Michigan, graduation refers to the successful completion of all degree requirements and the official conferral of a particular degree. Students must apply to graduate by filling out a Graduation Application. The timing of diploma receipt varies depending on the campus and the semester in which the student completes their degree requirements.
For the University of Michigan-Dearborn, degrees are conferred three times a year. In addition to the commencement ceremony at the end of the Winter term, degrees completed during the Summer term are conferred at the August meeting of the University Regents and distributed by mail. Students graduating in August are eligible to participate in either the April/May or December commencement ceremony.
The University of Michigan-Flint holds commencement ceremonies in late April or early May and December. August graduates are invited to attend either ceremony. Diplomas are mailed to graduates' addresses on file in the Office of the Registrar approximately four to six weeks after their degree is posted. It is important to note that tuition, fees, and all financial obligations must be paid in full before a diploma can be issued.
Students should apply for graduation by the beginning of the term in which they expect to complete their degree requirements. Undergraduate students should apply upon reaching 90 completed hours with at least 20 credits at UM-Flint. Graduate students must also submit a graduation application, and it is recommended that they consult their academic advisor to determine the appropriate timing. Applications for graduation will be accepted until the last day of classes of the term in which the student wishes to receive their degree, but their name will not appear in the commencement program.
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Transferring credits
The University of Michigan's Office of Undergraduate Admissions handles transfers for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) and the College of Engineering (COE). If you are interested in transferring to another school or college, contact their admissions team to learn more about their specific requirements.
Transfer Credit Equivalency Search
The Transfer Credit Equivalency Search (TCE) contains every class that has been submitted for evaluation as transfer credit and indicates whether the course is transferable or not. Courses that are approved for transfer will be listed as:
- Equivalent Credit: A transferable class that is directly equivalent to an LSA class will be listed with a U-M course subject, number, and title. These courses will appear on your University of Michigan transcript with a U-M course number assigned and can be used to satisfy distribution and major requirements.
- Departmental Credit: A transferable class that does not directly match a specific LSA class but fits within the LSA curriculum will be listed with the department subject, 101X, 201X, or 301X as the course number, and “Departmental” instead of a course title. Departmental credit is transferable but usually applies as elective credit.
- Interdepartmental Credit: A transferable class that contains content from multiple LSA departments will be posted as Interdepartmental credit with a subject of INTER. Like departmental credit, interdepartmental credit is usually applicable as elective credit and must be approved by an academic or concentration advisor if used toward distribution or concentration requirements.
- Transfer General Credit
LSA Residency Requirement
The LSA Residency Requirement mandates that every student complete a minimum of 60 credits as an enrolled student at U-M. This means that up to 60 out-of-residence credit hours can count toward the 120-credit-hour minimum required to earn an LSA degree. Out-of-residence credit includes credit transferred from another institution and credit awarded by exam, such as AP and IB exams.
College of Engineering (COE)
To successfully transfer into the College of Engineering, you must demonstrate that you have completed the required prerequisite courses with a letter grade of a "C" or better and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. If you have specific questions related to credit transfers from US institutions, please utilize the Transfer Credit Equivalency database. For international institutions, please use the College of Engineering course equivalency guide.
Transfer Guides
Although there are no specific transfer guides for colleges and universities outside of Michigan community colleges, the general transfer guides will help you understand how your credits will count for LSA degree requirements. These guides will help you plan your coursework to ensure that you are taking classes that will transfer and count toward your degree requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Michigan holds commencement ceremonies in December and April/May. Students graduating in August are eligible to participate in either ceremony.
Students applying for graduation should use the self-service graduation application in Wolverine Access. Undergraduate students should apply upon reaching 90 completed hours with at least 20 credits at UM. Graduate students must submit a graduation application and check with their academic advisor to find out when to apply.
Graduation refers to the successful completion of all degree requirements and the official conferral of a degree. Commencement is a formal ceremony that recognizes and celebrates the achievements of graduates, but it does not confirm a student's graduation.
Graduates can expect to receive their diplomas in the mail approximately four to six weeks after their degree is posted.
