Preparing for Commencement
Aside from your final coursework, there is a lot to do in order to prepare for your commencement ceremony!
We've assembled this step-by-step list to help you.
All April 2023 degree candidates, as well as August 2023 prospective degree candidates, are eligible to participate in the Spring 2023 commencement, on April 30. Students MUST register for a commencement ceremony by March 31. This is a separate action from applying to graduate. Please complete the commencement registration form.
The bookstore will be hosting a Grad Fair, March 14 and 15, from 10am until 5pm in the bookstore, located in the University Center adjacent to the McKinley Cafe. Students will be able to purchase their cap and gowns, honor cords and any other grad related accessories. A photographer will be available, at the Fair, for those students who would like to take photos before commencement.
While students are encouraged to purchase their cap and gowns during Grad Fair, we will have cap and gowns on sale in the bookstore up until the Friday before commencement. However, it is strongly recommended that you purchase your cap and gown during Grad Fair, because we cannot guarantee size availability the week before commencement.
Cap and gowns will also be available for sale on the web. Purchase your cap and gown online for ship to home. Please note, online purchases are for shipping only. Cap and gowns purchased online cannot be converted to in store pick up. The last day to purchase cap and gowns online for ship to home will be April 7.
Custom doctoral regalia must be ordered by March 1, 2023.
The bookstore accepts credit/debit, B&N gift cards and cash only.
For more information regarding the purchase of cap and gowns and related accessories, please feel free to contact the bookstore during regular store hours (Mon.-Thurs. 8am-4pm, Fri. 8am-12pm) by calling 313-593-5551 or by emailing sm458@bncollege.com.
Students in all UM-Dearborn undergraduate programs with a cumulative GPA of 3.6 and above, and graduate students with a cumulative GPA of 3.9 and above are designated as graduating “With High Distinction”.
Likewise, students in the programs listed above who have an undergraduate cumulative GPA between 3.2 and 3.59 or a graduate cumulative GPA between 3.7 and 3.89 are designated as graduating “With Distinction”.
Graduation distinctions are not calculated and granted for College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters graduate programs affiliated with the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.
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 be available for purchase at the UM-Dearborn Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
All degree candidates who qualify for honor cords will receive an email notification from the registrar’s office by March 10.
If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact the Registrar’s Office at umd-commencement@umich.edu.
Each student will receive 4 tickets to the 9 AM ceremony. Each student will receive 5 tickets for the 1 PM and 5 PM ceremonies. Students do not need a ticket. Tickets may be picked up at the Grad Fair on March 14 and 15, 10am – 5pm, at the Bookstore.
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 cannot attend the Fair, you may pick up your commencement tickets at the One Stop, located inside the James C. Renick University Center, beginning Friday, March 17. 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.
One Stop hours:
Monday-Wednesday and Friday - 8 am - 5 pm
Thursday - 8 am - 7 pm
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.
Will Call is for the 4 ticket (9 AM ceremony) allotment or 5 ticket (1 PM and 5 PM ceremonies) allotment, not for extra tickets.
Please email Kris Day at dayk@umich.edu with the number of tickets you would like held. Kris will share details about Will Call location and pick-up times.
You must claim your tickets by Friday, April 21. If they are not claimed (picked up or on Will Call) the tickets will be released for other students who need extra tickets for their guests.
If you need extra tickets, you may do the following:
Ask a friend or classmate if they will be using their ticket allotment. Friends and classmates may give their tickets to others, after they pick them up.
Unclaimed tickets will be made available, on a first come first served basis, starting Monday, April 24.
Unclaimed tickets may be picked up at the One Stop office, located in the Renick University Center (suite number 1145).
The Office of International Affairs (OIA), and now most U.S. colleges/universities, eliminated the practice of providing invitation letters to students over five years ago. 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 aforementioned invitation letter template and have experienced no issues. We encourage you to use the OIA invitation letter template.
For questions regarding applying for graduation, checking graduation status, changing your ceremony date and related questions, please email umd-commencement@umich.edu.
For questions about the actual commencement ceremony (venue, parking, time, tickets, cap/gown order) and related questions, please email spring2023dearborncommencement@umich.edu.