STUDENT SERVICES: ACADEMIC RECORDS & DISSERTATIONS
915 E. Washington Street • 0120 Rackham Building • Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070
734-763-0171 • Fax: 734-615-7535
E-mail: [email protected] • www.rackham.umich.edu
Doctoral Degree Tip Sheet
Intended Final Term of Enrollment: Fall 2014*
Degree Conferral Date **
All Requirements Must be Completed ***
Degree Conferral Date **
All Requirements Must be Completed ****
December 14, 2014
November 11, 2014
May 1, 2015
January 27, 2015
Intended Final Term of Enrollment: Winter 2015*
Degree Conferral Date **
All Requirements Must be Completed ***
Degree Conferral Date **
All Requirements Must be Completed ****
May 1, 2015
April 7, 2015
August 21, 2015
May 26, 2015
Note: November 11 is
the last day to finish all
requirements and
participate in December
commencement.
Note: April 7 is the last
day to finish all
requirements and
participate in May
commencement.
* A doctoral student must be enrolled for eight hours of candidacy during the full term in which s/he defends. It is expected that the
defense will occur prior to the last day of classes for the intended final term of enrollment.
** Degrees are conferred by the University of Michigan board of Regents three times a year. You may participate in commencement
on or after the conferral date when all requirements have been completed.
*** This is a firm deadline and extensions will not be considered. The majority of students require a minimum of two weeks to make
revisions and complete all requirements.
**** This is a firm deadline and extensions will not be considered. The majority of students require a minimum of two weeks to
make revisions and complete all requirements. Additional term(s) of registration will be necessary if requirements are not met by
this date.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Whereas master’s students can apply for graduation at any time, doctoral students are subject to a certified
graduation, meaning that an “anticipated” completion of degree requirements does NOT qualify the student to
walk.
 A letter from the Dean of the Graduate School is sent to dissertation chairs and co-chairs only (not all members).
But any faculty member is welcome. This is so that the faculty member can attend, if desired, to hood his/her
students. If the chair/co-chair is not present, there are marshals present to hood the student.
 Regalia: Doctoral degree recipients are responsible for providing their own hoods, caps and gowns. Attire may
be rented or purchased through the Michigan Union Bookstore. Students are encouraged to take care of this
early because there are deadlines to guarantee availability for both rental and purchase.
 Detailed Commencement information is available online: www.commencement.umich.edu
 If a student cannot participate in a commencement for the term their degree is conferred, the student can
participate in any one future commencement. Just notify the Academic Records and Dissertations Office and we
will include them on the attendee list.
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 Specific questions about the ceremony, including accessibility and/or special needs can be directed to
Ceremonial and Presidential Events, 647-7900.
 Specific questions about who can and cannot participate can be directed to Rackham’s Academic Records and
Dissertations Office.
 Doctoral students who do not participate in commencement will have their diplomas mailed to them within a
few weeks after commencement. If the diploma is not received within six weeks thereafter, the student should
contact the diploma area of the Registrar’s Office ([email protected]).
 There is a December commencement (called Winter Commencement). This ceremony is for all U- M schools and
colleges. Ph.D. students are hooded at this event.
 In April, there is an all school/college commencement (called Spring Commencement) as well as University
Graduate Exercises. The April commencement is for all U-M students. University Graduate exercises are at Hill
Auditorium and are for Rackham graduate students. Ph.D. students are hooded at this event.
 The diploma size for Ph.D. students is 11 x 14.
 Tickets: Not required for December commencement or for University Graduate Exercises in April. Spring (April)
commencement tickets are required for all family members and guests, including children over age two. Please
check the website for the latest information.
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