NMU GRADUATION CHECKLIST

Congratulations! Graduating is a BIG accomplishment Fewer than 50 percent of all entering Fewer than 50 percent of all entering freshman earn a bachelor’s degree within six years of starting college.

40% of NMU Students are not approved to graduate the first time they register for graduation. All required courses are not complete. All required courses are not complete. Registrar’s Office doesn’t have approved course substitutions on file. (Advisers need to approve and file substitutions). Registrar’s Office doesn’t have approved course substitutions on file. (Advisers need to approve and file substitutions). A change of Undergraduate Bulletin year hasn’t been requested. A change of Undergraduate Bulletin year hasn’t been requested. The major and/or minor have not been declared by the student. The major and/or minor have not been declared by the student. Registration errors made…students ARE REQUIRED to register for graduation. The process is the exact same as registering for classes. Registration errors made…students ARE REQUIRED to register for graduation. The process is the exact same as registering for classes. Some typical reasons Some typical reasons:

5-10% of students approved as graduation candidates don’t end up graduating. WHY? Receive incomplete grade final semester. Receive incomplete grade final semester. Final cumulative GPA is too low (below 2.0). Final cumulative GPA is too low (below 2.0). Required grade for major/minor course(s) are not satisfied. Required grade for major/minor course(s) are not satisfied.

Want to make sure that you’re set to graduate? What steps you can take? The next group of slides should help!

First ask: What do I need to do to be eligible to graduate? Do your best to avoid the scenarios mentioned in the previous slides, like registration errors, not consulting with your adviser, etc. Do your best to avoid the scenarios mentioned in the previous slides, like registration errors, not consulting with your adviser, etc. VERIFY that your academic records are in order PRIOR to registering for graduation. Visit the Registrar’s office. VERIFY that your academic records are in order PRIOR to registering for graduation. Visit the Registrar’s office. Earn the minimum required number of credits: 124 for baccalaureate, 62 for associate, 31 for certificate. Earn the minimum required number of credits: 124 for baccalaureate, 62 for associate, 31 for certificate. Complete all liberal studies requirements. Complete all liberal studies requirements. Complete requirements for major, and minor (if applicable). Complete requirements for major, and minor (if applicable). Satisfy GPA requirements for major and minor. Satisfy GPA requirements for major and minor.

Then ask: How do I KNOW for sure whether I’m eligible to graduate? Take a look at your NMU degree evaluation (available at my.nmu.edu). Take a look at your NMU degree evaluation (available at my.nmu.edu). Have you completed all coursework for your major and/or minor? Talk with your adviser. Have you completed all coursework for your major and/or minor? Talk with your adviser. Have you met the minimum GPA requirements? Have you met the minimum GPA requirements? Have you verified that your academic records are in order? Have you verified that your academic records are in order? How about meeting with your adviser again? Get answers to your questions. How about meeting with your adviser again? Get answers to your questions. Visit the Academic and Career Advisement Center ( They are available to help you get the answers you need! Visit the Academic and Career Advisement Center ( They are available to help you get the answers you need!

When do you plan to graduate? GRADUATION takes place three times every year: at the end of the fall, winter, and summer semesters. GRADUATION takes place three times every year: at the end of the fall, winter, and summer semesters. COMMENCEMENT is the term used for the graduation ceremony. Commencement takes place twice a year, in December and May. COMMENCEMENT is the term used for the graduation ceremony. Commencement takes place twice a year, in December and May. Students graduating at the end of the summer semester may participate in the commencement ceremony at the end of the winter semester. Students graduating at the end of the summer semester may participate in the commencement ceremony at the end of the winter semester.

Other Considerations Use your entire final year…DO NOT wait until the last minute to plan your exit strategy! Use your entire final year…DO NOT wait until the last minute to plan your exit strategy! Consult with NMU’s Career Services Office. Consult with NMU’s Career Services Office. Resume review. Resume review. Interview skill-building. Interview skill-building. Job search assistance. Job search assistance. Career Fairs. Career Fairs. Graduate school? Graduate school? Research application deadlines two semesters in advance! Research application deadlines two semesters in advance! Entrance requirements? Entrance requirements? GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT prep? GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT prep? Request letters of recommendation. Request letters of recommendation. “Other stu ff” “Other stu ff” Lease? Lease? Settle outstanding balances with NMU. Settle outstanding balances with NMU.

ON THE BIG DAY! Commencement is held at 10:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of the semester, usually in the Superior Dome. Commencement is held at 10:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of the semester, usually in the Superior Dome. Arrive early. Arrive early. Tickets are not required for commencement. Tickets are not required for commencement. The ceremony lasts about 2 hours. The ceremony lasts about 2 hours. Other: Other: Honors Breakfast (reservations required). Honors Breakfast (reservations required). Graduation Reception (free, no reservations required). Graduation Reception (free, no reservations required). NMU sends your diploma and final transcript to your permanent address, or to the address you specify on return mailing label. NMU sends your diploma and final transcript to your permanent address, or to the address you specify on return mailing label.

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