Graduation
Students who expect to graduate with a graduate-level degree must apply for graduation in their final semester of classes. Students apply for graduation by registering for graduation using the appropriate course registration number (CRN) at the same time they register for their final semester of course work, but never later than the fourth calendar day of that semester. Graduation course registration numbers (CRN) can be found under Graduation in the Course Search on MyNMU.
Students must be an enrolled student with at least one graduate level credit hour in the semester of graduation. GD 593, GD 693 (for Education Specialists only) or another graduate credit can be used for this purpose. See the Continuous Enrollment Credit policy for additional information about use of university resources.
Note: A $40 graduation fee is charged to the student's account at the time of application. Students who do not register for graduation on time will only be considered for a subsequent graduation period providing they register and still qualify. Students may receive multiple degrees in the same semester, provided that they are not at the same level.
Diplomas
The name printed on the diploma will be the same as the name on the student’s academic record. Any change to that name such as the inclusion of a middle name or maiden name must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies and Research prior to registering for graduation. Diplomas will be mailed to the permanent address on file with the university approximately six to eight weeks after the date of graduation.
Commencement
Commencement is a public ceremony held twice each year to bestow degrees upon students. A student who completes the requirements for a degree may participate in commencement. Students who plan to participate in commencement must select the appropriate course registration number (CRN) from the course scheduling options when registering for graduation. Students graduating in December (fall semester) are eligible to participate in December commencement. Students graduating in April/May (winter semester) are eligible to participate in April/May commencement.
Students who qualify for April/May graduation, but are not located in Michigan or the surrounding states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana or Ohio during the winter semester, may participate in the December commencement preceding that enrollment. At the time of registration for the fall semester but no later than the fourth calendar day of the fall semester, these students can submit a request to the College of Graduate Studies and Research. These students must then be enrolled in all courses by the end of the first week of advance registration for the winter semester.
Students who qualify for August graduation and are enrolled in their correct courses by the end of the first week of advance registration for that session may participate in the April/May commencement preceding that enrollment. These students must register for graduation during the registration period for the winter semester but never later than the fourth calendar day of the winter semester, choosing the CRN for “August graduation, participating in the April/May commencement”. Students who graduate in August may participate in the next December’s commencement ceremony. Arrangements must be made in the College of Graduate Studies and Research.
Commencement is an optional activity. Students who do not participate in commencement at the time they qualified may not participate in a later commencement unless they qualify for the awarding of an additional degree. Commencement apparel is sold through the NMU Bookstore.