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graduation celebration
MARSAL FAMILY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Spring Commencement

Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.

Hill Auditorium

Checklist for graduating students

Important Deadlines

Important Deadlines for Graduating Marsal School Students
DeadlineFor these studentsTo complete this taskIn order to
Early March (expected)Master's students & 
Doctoral candidates		RSVP to attend University-wide commencement ceremony Rackham communicates information about the RSVP form and deadline to students via email, typically in two months
  • Ensure all information is properly communicated for this special occasion
Monday, 
March 10		Undergraduate studentsApply for graduation
  • Ensure name is printed in the Marsal School commencement booklet and University-wide commencement program
Thursday, 
March 13		Master's studentsApply for graduation
  • Ensure name is printed in the Marsal School commencement booklet and University-wide commencement program
Thursday, 
April 3		All graduating studentsComplete the student participation form
  • RSVP for the Marsal School ceremony and following reception on Ingalls Mall
  • Ensure name is pronounced correctly
  • Share number of guests and guest needs
  • Confirm term of degree conferral and area of study
Friday, 
April 4		Doctoral candidatesComplete all Rackham requirements
  • Ensure name is printed in the Marsal School commencement booklet and University-wide commencement program
  • Participate in doctoral hooding at the Marsal School ceremony
  • Participate in May 2024 Rackham Graduate Exercises
Tuesday, 
April 8		All graduating studentsOrder academic attire
  • Ship to a home address
Friday, 
April 18		Doctoral studentsComplete the pre-oral defense and set the final oral defense date Candidates must schedule the final oral defense to occur by the end of the Summer 2024 term (August 2)
  • Walk in the Marsal School ceremony
Tuesday, 
April 22		Undergraduate & 
Master's students		Apply for graduation Students who miss this deadline must apply for Summer 2024 graduation Students who apply for graduation after March 21 are not guaranteed to have their names printed in commencement booklets
  • Receive the degree
Friday, 
April 25		Master's students & 
Doctoral candidates		Register to participate in Rackham Graduate Exercises Eligible grads receive an email invitation with instructions and a link to register in early April
  • Ensure all information is properly communicated for this special occasion
Saturday, 
May 3
12:30 p.m.		All graduating studentsArrive at the Marsal School ceremony
  • Fill out a name card
  • Organize for procession
Saturday, 
May 3
1:25 p.m.		All graduating studentsBe seated at the Marsal School ceremony 

Commencement Eligibility

The following groups are eligible to participate in the school's ceremony:

  • Anyone who received a minor in education, degree in education, or teacher certification anytime between Summer (August) 2024 and Fall (December) 2024
  • Undergraduate and master's students who expect to receive a minor in education, degree in education, or teacher certification in Winter (April/May) 2025 or Summer (August) 2025
  • Doctoral candidates who complete their pre-oral defense by April 18, 2025 and have officially set their final oral defense date to occur by the end of the Summer (August) 2025 term (candidates interested in being hooded should note the additional requirements in Doctoral Hooding)

Please review the commencement eligibility guide prior to applying.

Commencement Eligibility Guide

Applying to Graduate

Applying for the Bachelor's Degree
Deadlines & Conferral Dates

The application for a bachelor's degree should be completed and submitted as follows:

Bachelor's Degree Application Deadlines & Conferral Dates
Expected Term of GraduationDeadline Date*Final Deadline Date**Degree Conferral Month and Year
Fall 2024October 15, 2024December 9, 2024December 2024
Winter 2025March 10, 2025April 22, 2025May 2025
Summer 2025March 10, 2025August 12, 2025August 2025
* For name to appear in the commencement booklets
** For late processing; name will not appear in the commencement booklets
Online Graduation Application Instructions

All undergraduate students apply for the degree by filling out and submitting the online graduation application accessed through Wolverine Access.

  • Use a web browser to access Wolverine Access. In Wolverine Access, select Student Business and then login using your uniqname and UMICH (Kerberos) password.
  • Once in Wolverine Access, click on the Student Center tile. Use the dropdown menu called "other academic..." and choose Apply to Graduate. Click the GO button.
  • Select the program for which you wish to apply for graduation.
  • Select your Expected Graduation Term and complete any name instructions.
  • Once the graduation application is complete, click Submit Application.

 

Applying for the Master's Degree
Deadlines & Conferral Dates

Per the Rackham Graduate School, the application for a master's degree should be completed and submitted as follows:

Master's Degree Application Deadlines & Conferral Dates
Deadline Date*Final Deadline Date**Expected Term of GraduationDegree Conferral Month and Year
October 28, 2024December 9, 2024Fall 2024December 2024
March 13, 2025April 22, 2025Winter 2025May 2025
March 13, 2025August 12, 2025Summer 2025August 2025
* For name to appear in the commencement booklets
** For late processing; name will not appear in the commencement booklets (see Rackham's diploma application deadlines)
Online Graduation Application Instructions

All graduate students apply for the degree by filling out and submitting the online graduation application accessed through Wolverine Access.

  • Use a web browser to access Wolverine Access. In Wolverine Access, select Student Business and then log in using your uniqname and UMICH (Kerberos) password.
  • Once in Wolverine Access, click on the Student Center tile. Use the dropdown menu called "other academic..." and choose Apply to Graduate. Click the GO button.
  • Select the program for which you wish to apply for graduation.
  • Select your Expected Graduation Term and complete any name instructions.
  • Once the graduation application is complete, click Submit Application.
Elementary and Secondary Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) Teaching Interns

Interns who matriculated in Summer 2024 will be enrolled in courses to complete the Master's Degree Program in Spring 2025 and should apply to graduate in Summer 2025.

Teach for America (TFA) Detroit Corps Members

Corps members who matriculated in Winter 2024 will be enrolled in courses to complete the master's degree program in Spring 2025 and should apply to graduate in Summer 2025.

Complete Guidelines for Master's and Doctoral Students

Download Guidelines for Applying to Graduate with a Master’s or Doctoral Degree to view an expanded version of these procedures and additional information.

Applying for the Doctoral Degree

The application for a doctoral degree is usually completed after registering for a Rackham Post-Defense Review. For more information about the Rackham Post-Defense Review, visit Completing the Doctoral Degree Requirements.

Visit the Rackham website for a complete listing of all Rackham Doctoral Degree Deadlines and information.

Deadlines & Conferral Dates
Doctoral Degree Application Deadlines & Conferral Dates
Defense Term (Expected Final Enrollment)Rackham All Requirements Deadline Date (Includes applying to graduate)Term to Select When Applying to GraduateDegree Conferral Date
Spring/Summer 2024 (Grace Period)September 16, 2024Fall 2024December 15, 2024
Fall 2024November 15, 2024Fall 2024December 15, 2024
Fall 2024 (Grace Period)January 28, 2025Winter 2025May 2, 2025
Winter 2025April 4, 2025Winter 2025May 2, 2025
Winter 2025 (Grace Period)June 20, 2025Spring/Summer 2025August 15, 2025
Spring/Summer 2025August 1, 2025Spring/Summer 2025August 15, 2025
  • Candidates must meet Rackham's April 4 deadline in order to participate in hooding at the Marsal School ceremony and to ensure their name appears in the Marsal School's commencement booklet and the University-wide commencement program
  • Candidates must complete the pre-oral defense and set the final oral defense date (which must be scheduled to occur by the end of the Spring/Summer term, August 1) by April 18 in order to walk in the Marsal School ceremony
Online Graduation Application Instructions

All graduate students apply for the degree by filling out and submitting the online graduation application accessed through Wolverine Access.

  • Use a web browser to access Wolverine Access. In Wolverine Access, select Student Business and then log in using your uniqname and UMICH (Kerberos) password.
  • Once in Wolverine Access, click on the Student Center tile. Use the dropdown menu called "other academic..." and choose Apply to Graduate. Click the GO button.
  • Select the program for which you wish to apply for graduation.
  • Select your Expected Graduation Term and complete any name instructions.
  • Once the graduation application is complete, click Submit Application.
Complete Guidelines for Master's and Doctoral Students

Download Guidelines for Applying to Graduate with a Master’s or Doctoral Degree to view an expanded version of these procedures and additional information.

Completing Teacher Certification

Upon completion of the Teacher Education program, students receive a list of "Completing Teacher Certification" tasks, which they can complete online to be recommended for the Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate.

Deadlines
Teacher Certification Deadlines
ProgramRequirements DueRecommendation in MOECS
Undergraduate & Music EducationMay 15, 2025June 15, 2025
ELMAC* & SecMAC*June 15, 2025June 30, 2025
* Certification is not dependent on conferral of the master's degree because students already hold a bachelor's degree.

Winter Program Completers are recommended for certification as indicated above, provided all requirements are satisfied by the appropriate date.

Certification Audit

Individual audit appointments are not required in the final semester of the program; students may email audit requests [email protected]. Students who would like to meet with an advisor to discuss their audit should still schedule an appointment.

Please note that the audit function in Wolverine Access does not track certification-specific requirements and contains accurate degree requirements for undergraduate Elementary, ELMAC, and SecMAC students only.

Future Requirements & Maintaining Teacher Certification

Renewing the Standard certificate or progressing to the Professional must occur upon the expiration of the initial certification. Guidelines are available through the Michigan Department of Education.

RSVP

Graduating students should complete the RSVP form (linked below) to let us know their plans for attending the Marsal School Commencement Ceremony and Reception.

While tickets are not required for guests, we do need to know how many attendees to expect at the commencement ceremony and reception for planning purposes. Non-graduating students attending the ceremony as guests should not complete the RSVP form.

The reception following the ceremony will be held at Ingalls Mall, located between Hill Auditorium and the Michigan League. 

Student RSVP for Commencement

Doctoral Hooding

Doctoral students may participate in hooding during the Marsal School Spring Commencement ceremony, provided they meet the following requirements:

  • Complete all Rackham degree requirements by April 4, 2025 (in line with the Rackham deadline)—there will be no exceptions
  • Complete the hooding participation form (linked below)

Students participating in hooding are grouped together during the ceremony.

Doctoral hooding participation form

Graduates' Assembly Schedule

Undergraduate, master's and doctoral graduates should arrive between 12:30–12:45 p.m. and head to the balcony (third floor) of Hill Auditorium to check in, fill out a name card, and organize for the academic procession.

Students sit with their department until it is time to process to the front section of seating in the auditorium. During the ceremony, each attending graduate's name is read and each graduate crosses the stage to be greeted by the dean.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY BELONGINGS TO THE BALCONY—THE AREA WILL BE UNSECURED DURING THE CEREMONY.

 

Diplomas

Bachelor's & Master's Degrees

Diplomas for bachelor's and master's degree recipients are mailed approximately two to three months after the graduation date to the address on file with the Diploma Department.

Doctoral Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy diplomas are distributed at the university-wide Winter Commencement and at the University Graduate Exercises.

Please visit the Office of the Registrar for more information about diplomas.

Academic Attire

Graduating students should plan to wear academic attire to the Marsal School commencement ceremony.

Undergraduate academic attire
  • Cap
  • Gown
  • Tassel
Master's and doctoral academic attire
  • Cap
  • Gown
  • Hood (light blue is the Marsal School's hood color)
  • Tassel
Buying or renting academic attire

All academic attire is available for purchase year-round at Barnes & Noble Campus Store:

Doctoral candidates have the option to rent their attire. For information on renting, please call Barnes & Noble @ the Michigan Union or @ North Campus.

Beginning in mid-March, academic attire may be purchased at Michiganensian, hosted on select dates.  Please refer to the Michiganesian website for complete details.

 

 

Honor Cords

The Marsal School provides honor cords only to recipients of the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence and eligible Kappa Delta Pi members.

Dean's Award for Academic Excellence

These Marsal School seniors have attained academic distinction by establishing the highest university-wide grade-point averages among all Marsal School undergraduate degree recipients. These students are signified in the academic procession by the wearing of a light blue and gold braid.

Kappa Delta Pi

To graduate from the Marsal Family School of Education's KDP with distinguished membership honors, members must average half of the points offered in a semester for each semester they have been involved with the honor society. Members earn points by attending meetings, volunteering at KDP events, donating at drives (e.g., blood drives and book/school supply drives), chairing events, etc.

KDP officers review point totals by mid-April to determine and notify eligible cord recipients. KDP distributes the honor cords, and recipients are informed of this process in their notification letters. Cord colors are purple and green.

Questions should be directed to current KDP Chapter Presidents at [email protected].

All Other Non-Marsal School Programs

Students should check the honor cord requirements for their specific program and, if they meet those requirements, contact that program for information on how to attain a cord for graduation.

Important Contact Information

Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Michigan Union - (734) 205-2401

University Commencement Hotline - (734) 647-7900

Rackham (University) Graduate Exercises - (734) 647-6037

Campus Information Centers - (734) 764-4636

Diploma and Transcript Office - (734) 763-9066

Questions: Please contact us at (734) 615-1258 or [email protected]