Student Information

Please use the following navigation steps below to apply for graduation in Wolverine Access:

1. Go to wolverineaccess.umich.edu.
2. Click on the Students tab.
3. Click on the Student Business link.
4. Log in with Uniqname and Kerberos password.
5. Click on the Student Center.
6. Under the Academics Section, look for the drop down and it will say "Other academic..."
7. Click on the arrow pointing down in this field.
8. If you are eligible to apply for graduation, the Academic Program(s) will be listed on the “Apply for Graduation” page. If the correct academic program, degree, major, concentration, or minor is not displayed, contact sph.registrar@umich.edu.
9. Hover over the icon with the double arrows pointing to the right. Click it.
10. Select the Academic Program in which you are applying for graduation by clicking on the hyperlink.
11. Choose your expected graduation term from the drop down menu. If the expected graduation term does not appear, contact sph.registrar@umich.edu.
12. Make any changes in how you want your name to appear on the diploma and click “Continue.”
13. Enter optional information on familial alumni relations to the University. Once you have entered all of the information you would like to submit, click “Continue.”
14. Click “Submit Application.”

If you are pursuing a certificate in addition to your degree program, please be sure you've applied for graduation from both your degree program and your certificate program.

Students do not receive an official diploma during commencement, which allows students to walk if they still have requirements under review. Official diplomas will be mailed six to eight weeks after you graduate to the permanent address you provided on the blue diploma application. Any questions regarding your diploma after graduation should be directed to the Transcripts, Certifications, and Diploma Office at (734) 763-9066 or emailed to ro.diploma.staff@umich.edu.

If you are a certificate and/or dual degree student, it is important that you apply for graduation from each program separately. Applying for one program will not automatically create an application for any other program.

Dual degree students: All degree requirements for both academic units must be fulfilled in order to graduate. Both degrees are awarded simultaneously. If requirements for either degree are not met, neither degree will be awarded.

Minors
If you are completing one or more minors, please contact your minor department(s) to request a minor release. If your minor department has released your minor, we will process the minor releases along with our graduation application after your final term. You will see this reflected in your final transcript in May.

Next steps
Once you've applied for graduation and your minor release has been submitted (if applicable), an official degree audit will be sent to you via email. The email subject will be "major release" however this email will act as your official audit and it will indicate your remaining degree requirements (i.e. public health credits, upper-level elective credits, total credits, etc.). An advising appointment is not required to complete the official audit. Jillian McConville is available to meet with you if you have any questions (set up an appointment).

Tickets are NOT required for guests attending the School of Public Health Graduation Ceremony. There is no limit on the number of guests who can attend. However, students must register the number of guests for the School of Public Health Graduation Ceremony AND reception when they complete the online registration form to participate in the School of Public Health Graduation Ceremony.

Please note, tickets ARE required for the University-wide Spring Commencement for both graduates and guests.

Diplomas for Winter 2023 term graduates will be mailed by mid-July to the diploma address students have specified in Wolverine Access. Diplomas for Summer 2023 term graduates will be mailed by mid-November.

Name Change on Diploma
In order to change your name, add your middle name, or middle initial to your diploma, you will need to add it to your academic record. Once your name is updated on your academic record, you will be able to log into Wolverine Access to access your graduation application and add the updated name to appear on the diploma. Monday, April 17, 2023 is the deadline to make this change. This can be done two ways:

1. By personally visiting the Central Registrar's Wolverine Services Office and providing legal proof of your name (e.g., driver's license, birth certificate, passport, etc.). Their contact information is below. You will need to bring a photo ID with you for this process.
2. By sending a copy of your legal proof of your name (e.g., driver's license, birth certificate, passport, etc.) via e-mail to wolverineservices@umich.edu. Be sure to provide a clear explanation of what changes you want to make.

Wolverine Services- Central Campus
Office of the Registrar 
University of Michigan 
2200 Student Activities Building (SAB) 
515 E. Jefferson Street 
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1316
Office: 734-647-3507 
Fax: 734-763-9053

The hours of operations are from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Note: Please be sure to have your MCard with you when visiting the Wolverine Services Office

Students do not receive an official diploma during commencement, which allows students to walk if they still have requirements under review. Official diplomas will be mailed six to eight weeks after you graduate to the permanent address you provided on the blue diploma application. Any questions regarding your diploma after graduation should be directed to the Transcripts, Certifications, and Diploma Office at (734) 763-9066 or emailed to ro.diploma.staff@umich.edu.

Assembly
The FRONT and WEST doors at Hill Auditorium will open at 11:30 a.m. for all graduates and their guests. All Graduates and guests with mobility limitations (wheelchair, walker, etc.) should enter from the WEST entrance off Thayer near the ramp.

Graduates should assemble at Hill in their academic attire and go directly to the Graduate Check-in Area in the lower lobby to pick up your name card and to complete a card for the photographer. You will hand these cards to the marshal on stage when receiving your recognition. From there you will be directed to find a seat in the auditorium. Seating for graduates will be reserved on the main floor in designated sections by degree (MPH, MHSA, MS, MHI, PhD, Bachelor). There will be staff in the auditorium to direct you to the appropriate section. Students must be seated in the auditorium by 12:15 p.m. If graduates would like to sit near specific classmates with the same degree, please find each other in the Graduate Check-in Area in the lower lobby prior to taking your seats in the auditorium.

When you cross the stage to be recognized, you will want to have both hands free and be unencumbered by extra items. Out of courtesy to others and for your own safety, we ask that you not bring items with you to the ceremony.

Graduates - Please do not bring any valuables or anything that does not fit in your pockets. There is no safe place to store them.

Footwear
We highly recommend that you wear shoes that are comfortable, supportive, and suitable for standing, walking, and climbing steps.

Reception
All graduates, their family, and their friends are invited to attend the School of Public Health Graduation Reception immediately following the ceremony. Students must register the number of guests when they complete the online registration form to participate in the School of Public Health Graduation Ceremony.

TIME	ACTIVITY
11:30 a.m.	Hill Auditorium FRONT and WEST doors open for graduates and guests. Graduates and guests with mobility limitations (wheelchair, walker, etc.) enter from WEST entrance off Thayer near the ramp. Graduates arrive and proceed to the Graduate Check-in Area in the lower lobby, visit the registration tables, and are directed to find a seat in the auditorium (by degree).
12:15 p.m.	Graduates must be seated in the auditorium
12:30 p.m.	Graduation begins promptly with procession of faculty
2:30 p.m.	Ceremony ends and reception on Ingalls Mall (adjacent to Hill Auditorium) begins. Although we are not able to predict the exact end time of the ceremony, 2:30 p.m. should be a reasonable approximation. Most guests typically leave the reception after an hour.

Degrees with distinction are awarded on the basis of rank in class. Undergraduate students who have completed at least 58 credits in residence, at least 45 of which are "graded" (A+ to D-), and rank in the top five percent of their class are recommended for a degree "with Highest Distinction." Those students who rank in the top 10 percent of their class but not in the top five percent are recommended for a degree "with High Distinction." Those students who rank in the top 25 percent of their class but not in the top 10 or 5 percent are recommended for a degree "with Distinction." *Distinction is based on a student's cumulative GPA.* Annotation is made on the diploma and the transcript.

The GPA ranges for the distinction are determined at the end of each May based on the cumulative GPAs of the School’s Winter term class of graduating bachelor’s degree students. Estimated GPA ranges are based on the previous Winter term graduating class, and those ranges are noted below. The range changes each year based on the graduating class so the ranges below should only be used as an estimate:

• Highest Distinction = 3.963 – 4.000
• High Distinction = 3.962 – 3.941
• Distinction = 3.850 – 3.940

Students who will graduate with distinction may wear maize cords to indicate this achievement. There are no honor cords specific to each grade-point-average distinction level. Honor cords may be purchased at stores selling academic attire.

Standard printed announcements may be purchased at balfour.com.

Graduates participating in any University of Michigan graduation ceremonies must wear official U-M academic attire. There are 3 ways to obtain academic attire:

1. Purchase your attire from Oak Hall to be delivered to the School of Public Health or to your home.

Click here to order attire

March 14, 2023 is the deadline to order for free shipping to the School of Public Health. Gowns will be available for pick up the week of April 17. You will be contacted directly by Public Health staff with more details.

April 3, 2023 is the deadline to order to ship directly to your home. You must pay the shipping fee of $15.95.

2. Order from Barnes and Noble at the Pierpont Commons University of Michigan Bookstore

All attire is available year-round in store at both Barnes and Noble Michigan Union and Pierpont Commons campus bookstores. Store hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 9am-4pm on Friday. Any questions email: SM8300@bncollege.com (Union location) SM680@bncollege.com (Pierpont location)

3. Utilize the SPH ​Cap and Gown ​Re-use ​Program 

The Public Health Sustainability Initiative (PHSI) runs a cap and gown re-use program so that SPH students can rent a graduation cap, gown, and hood!

Complete this Google Form to sign up to participate. Completing the Google Form is not a guarantee that you will receive a cap and gown. PHSI will update graduates about availability and pick-up/return details.

Rentals costs are:
Graduation Gowns: Rental fee= $40.00, Deposit = $30.00
Graduation Caps: Rental fee= $10.00, Deposit = $5.00
Graduation Hoods: Rental fee = $30.00, Deposit = $20.00
Gown + Cap + Hood: Rental fee = $80.00, Deposit = $55.00

This is a rental program, therefore if there is any part of the graduation attire that you would like to keep and/or decorate please purchase those items separately from this program. Upon return of the rented items you will be given back the deposit portion of the rental fee. Failure to return items rented in the condition in which they were rented forfeits the deposit.

Important notes: 

• There are limited rentals and sizes available, so contact PHSI early! It's first-come, first-served.
• Cash or Venmo (@umphsi) only please.
• Students will need to buy their own tassels.
• PHSI also accepts donations of caps and gowns from graduated students.
• For questions, please contact Ariel Lindholm (arielkl@umich.edu).

Graduates should have their gown steamed/ironed prior to graduation day. At the very least, it is suggested that graduates remove the gown from the package to allow the wrinkles to settle.  

Hood Colors
To ensure that you purchase the correct hood, please note your hood color:

DEGREE	PROGRAM	HOOD COLOR
MHI	Health Informatics	Silver Grey
MHSA	Public Health	Salmon
MPH	Public Health	Salmon
MS	Science	Gold
PHD	All	Royal Blue

Faculty members: Instructions for ordering academic attire can be found on the Faculty Information page. Please note the Friday, March 24 deadline for obtaining if you do not have your own attire.

The company Graduation Foto will be taking professional photographs at the graduation ceremony. All graduates will receive a complimentary proof of the photo(s) taken, and can order photos through their website

The University of Michigan wants to ensure that all graduates, candidates, and guests can participate fully in graduation. The following arrangements are made in cooperation with the Accessibility Task Force of the Council for Disability Concerns.

Ushers will be available to assist in locating wheelchair-accessible seating and restrooms for guests. Please email sph.events@umich.edu if you have any questions regarding your needs. A sign language interpreter will be present.

All requests for accommodations should be made by Monday, April 10. This request can be made two ways: by e-mailing sph.events@umich.edu or by filling out the information in the School of Public Health Graduation Registration site.

If you have any questions about graduation, please email sph.events@umich.edu. Thank you.