NMU GRADUATION CHECKLIST

1. NMUGRADUATION CHECKLIST

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

3. 40% of NMU Students are not approved to graduate the first time they register for graduation. • All required courses are not complete. • 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. • 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. Some typical reasons:

4. 5-10% of students approved as graduation candidates don’t end up graduating. WHY? • Receive incomplete grade final semester. • Final cumulative GPA is too low (below 2.0). • Required grade for major/minor course(s) are not satisfied.

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

6. 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. • 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. • Complete all liberal studies requirements. • Complete requirements for major, and minor (if applicable). • Satisfy GPA requirements for major and minor.

7. 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). • Have you completed all coursework for your major and/or minor? Talk with your adviser. • Have you met the minimum GPA requirements? • Have you verified that your academic records are in order? • How about meeting with your adviser again? Get answers to your questions. • Visit the Academic and Career Advisement Center (www.nmu.edu/acac). They are available to help you get the answers you need!

8. When do you plan to graduate? • 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. • Students graduating at the end of the summer semester may participate in the commencement ceremony at the end of the winter semester.

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

10. ON THE BIG DAY! • Commencement is held at 10:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of the semester, usually in the Superior Dome. • Arrive early. • Tickets are not required for commencement. • The ceremony lasts about 2 hours. • Other: • Honors Breakfast (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.

11. This PowerPoint presentation is the property of Northern Michigan University’s Academic & Career Advisement Center. It may not be reproduced without written consent. www.nmu.edu/acac