Commencement

Students in all UM-Dearborn undergraduate and graduate programs with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 and above are designated as graduating "With High Distinction". 

Likewise, students in all UM-Dearborn undergraduate and graduate programs who have a cumulative GPA  between 3.5 and 3.79 are designated as graduating "With Distinction".

Honors Cords

• Degree candidates who qualify for Graduation Honors (Distinction and High Distinction) are invited to wear Honor Cords at the Commencement Ceremony
• If you qualify for Graduation Honors (based on current GPA), you are eligible to purchase an Honor Cord.
• Honor Cords will only be available for purchase at the UM-Dearborn Barnes and Noble Bookstore, they will not appear on the online regalia portal
• All degree candidates who qualify for honor cords will receive an email notification from the Registrar’s Office by October 19th.
• If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact the Registrar’s Office at [email protected].

• The bookstore will host a Grad Fair, Wednesday, October 21, from 10am until 5pm, and Thursday, October 22, from 10am until 7pm, at the bookstore, located in the Renick University Center.
• You may purchase your cap and gowns, honor cords and any other grad-related accessories at this time.
• Can't Make it?
  • Stop by the bookstore any time before noon on Friday, December 18, to purchase your cap and gown. Please note they cannot guarantee size availability closer to commencement date.
• Want to order online?
  • Cap and gowns are also available for purchase online and shipped to your home. Online purchases are for shipping only. Cap and gowns purchased online cannot be converted to in store pick up. The link to purchase cap and gowns online will be posted in October 2026.
  • You may place a cap and gown order by going into the bookstore at any time
  • The last day to purchase cap and gowns online for ship to home will be announce once finalized.
• The bookstore accepts credit/debit, Barnes & Noble gift cards and cash only.
• For more information regarding the purchase of cap and gowns and related accessories, please contact the bookstore during regular store hours (Mon.-Thurs. 9 am – 5 pm, Fri. 9 am – 4 pm) by calling 313-593-5551 or by emailing [email protected].
• If you are unable to purchase a bachelors or masters gown for Commencement due to cost, please contact [email protected] to inquire about borrowing a gown.

• The number of commencement guest tickets that each student will be able to receive will be announced in October 2026.
• Graduating students participating in the ceremony do not need a ticket.
• Tickets may be picked up at the Grad Fair on October 21 and 22.
• Can't attend Grad Fair?
  • You may pick up your commencement tickets at the One Stop, located inside the Renick University Center, first floor, beginning Wednesday, October 21. One Stop hours are Monday - Wednesday and Friday - 8am-5pm; Thursday - 8am -7pm.
  • You must show your Mcard or state issued ID (driver's license or passport) and a receipt that you purchased your cap and gown, to pick up your tickets.
• Each guest must have a ticket. If a child will sit on the lap of a guest (age 2 or younger) no ticket is required for the child.

If you are a remote student or unable to come to campus prior to commencement, you may have your tickets placed in Will Call to be picked up on the day of the ceremony.

Please email [email protected] with the number of tickets you would like held (up to max announced). Will Call tickets can be picked up in the Wellness Center in the front of the Fieldhouse, starting an hour before each ceremony begins.

All tickets must be claimed (either picked up or Will Call request) by Friday, December 4. If you do not claim your tickets (pick up or request Will Call) your tickets will be reallocated to students who need additional tickets.

Need extra tickets?

• You may ask a friend or classmate if they need all their tickets. If not, they may pick up their tickets and give you their unneeded tickets

Information about extra tickets, if available, will be shared on Monday, December 7.

You are not permitted to sell tickets. If you do not need your allocation, please return them to the One Stop so other students in need of extra tickets can claim them.

If you or your guests require any extra assistance, wheelchair, assistance crossing the stage, special seating requirements, etc., on the day of your ceremony, please email [email protected].

ASL interpretation and closed captioning will be provided for all ceremonies.

Graduates and their guests may pre-order flowers and gifts that may be picked up on the day of your ceremony, near the front of the Fieldhouse. To pre-order gifts, please visit the Commencement Group website.

Invitation letters for international guests

The Office of International Affairs (OIA), and now most U.S. colleges/universities, eliminated the practice of providing invitation letters to students. Since then, students holding an ACTIVE I-20 and F1 visa are encouraged to craft their own letters and provide that to their parents/family member(s). As a student holding an F1 visa you have the power and authority to do so, a letter from the university is no longer a necessity. Hundreds of UM-Dearborn students have used the invitation letter template below and have experienced no issues. We encourage you to use the OIA invitation letter template.

• Commencement ceremonies will be held in the Fieldhouse and will last 90 minutes
• Graduating students must arrive one hour prior to the ceremony
• Students are encouraged to wear business or business casual attire under their gowns
• Students may decorate and personalize caps. Please do so tastefully
• Graduating students must check in on the second floor of the Fieldhouse
• Students are allowed to wear stoles and cords that represent various organizations and professional groups. Blue and gold cords are reserved for honors designations. Red, white and blue cords are reserved for Veterans.
• Doors open one hour prior to the ceremony start time for guests; seating is first-come, first-served
• Parking is available in Parking Lots E7, E6 and E5 on the north side of the Fieldhouse
  • Be aware of road construction and street closures around campus. Please refer to campus maps and directions for the most up-to-date information and follow posted signage the day of commencement.
• All ceremonies will be livestreamed on UM-Dearborn’s YouTube channel (search UM-Dearborn December 2026 Commencement). A link to the live stream will be posted on the UM-Dearborn homepage on the day of the ceremony
• Strollers are permitted in the Fieldhouse, but they cannot block/hinder aisleways and exits
• Guests should arrive to the Fieldhouse at least 30 minutes before the ceremony begins. Late arrivals will not be seated until after the processional and the singing of the National Anthem.
• Remember to leave the items below at home, they are prohibited
  • Aerosol and Spray Cans
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Animals (except service animals for persons with a disability)
  • Apparel or signage displaying profane or abusive language
  • Balloons and balloon bouquets
  • Cameras with a lens longer than 6 inches
  • Containers of any kind (including coolers, thermoses, cups, bottles, cans, flasks)
  • Flags and flagpoles
  • Food of any kind
  • Noisemakers (including but not limited to whistles, air horns, boom boxes, bull horns, kazoos, sirens, thunder sticks, vuvuzelas, etc.)
  • Oversized bags (anything that cannot fit comfortably under your seat)
  • Smoking
  • Video Camera, tripods and selfie sticks
  • Weapons of any kind
• Attendees and all bags will be screened upon entry 

• Diplomas are mailed six to eight weeks after graduation
• Following the ceremony, the photography company (Grad Images) will upload the graduates’ email addresses in their system to get the proofs sent out to graduates. Grad Images is an independent company. Graduates can also go to Grad Images and use their last name to locate their images or reach out to their Customer Service Department (800-261-2576 or [email protected]) for additional information