NMUNMUGRADUATION GRADUATION

CHECKLISTCHECKLIST

Congratulations!Congratulations!This is a BIG This is a BIG

accomplishmentaccomplishment

Fewer than 50 percent of all Fewer than 50 percent of all enteringentering

freshman earn a bachelor’s degree freshman earn a bachelor’s degree

within six years of starting collegewithin six years of starting college..

40% of NMU Students are 40% of NMU Students are notnot approved to graduate the first time approved to graduate the first time

they register for graduationthey register for graduation..

All required courses are not complete.All required courses are not complete. Registrar’s Office doesn’t have approved course substitutions Registrar’s Office doesn’t have approved course substitutions

on file. (Advisers need to approve and file 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 Registration errors made…students ARE REQUIRED to register

for graduation. The process is the exact same as registering for for graduation. The process is the exact same as registering for classes.classes.

Some typical reasonsSome typical reasons:

5-10% of students approved as 5-10% of students approved as graduation candidates don’t end graduation candidates don’t end up graduating.up graduating.

WHY?WHY? Receive incomplete Receive incomplete

grade final semester. grade final semester. Final cumulative GPA is Final cumulative GPA is

too low (below 2.0).too low (below 2.0). Required grade for Required grade for

major/minor course(s) major/minor course(s) are not satisfied.are not satisfied.

Want to make sure that you’re set Want to make sure that you’re set to graduate?to graduate?

What steps you can take?What steps you can take?

The next The next group of group of slides slides should help!should help!

First ask: What do I need First ask: What do I need to do to be eligible to to do to be eligible to graduate?graduate?

Do your best to avoid the scenarios mentioned in the Do your best to avoid the scenarios mentioned in the previous slides, like registration errors, not previous slides, like registration errors, not consulting with your adviser, etc.consulting with your adviser, etc.

VERIFY that your academic records are in order VERIFY that your academic records are in order PRIOR to registering for graduation. Visit the PRIOR to registering for graduation. Visit the Registrar’s office.Registrar’s office.

Earn the minimum required number of credits: 124 Earn the minimum required number of credits: 124 for baccalaureate, 62 for associate, 31 for certificate.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 Complete requirements for major, and minor (if

applicable).applicable). Satisfy GPA requirements for major and minor.Satisfy GPA requirements for major and minor.

Then ask: How do I KNOW for Then ask: How do I KNOW for sure whether I’m eligible to sure whether I’m eligible to graduate?graduate?

Take a look at your NMU degree Take a look at your NMU degree evaluation (available at my.nmu.edu).evaluation (available at my.nmu.edu).

Have you completed all coursework for Have you completed all coursework for your major and/or minor? Talk with your your major and/or minor? Talk with your adviser.adviser.

Have you met the minimum GPA Have you met the minimum GPA requirements?requirements?

Have you verified that your academic Have you verified that your academic records are in order?records are in order?

How about meeting with your adviser How about meeting with your adviser again? Get answers to your questions.again? Get answers to your questions.

Visit the Academic and Career Advisement Visit the Academic and Career Advisement Center (Center (www.nmu.edu/acac). They are ). They are available to help you get the answers you available to help you get the answers you need!need!

When do you plan to graduate?When do you plan to graduate?

GRADUATION takes place three times GRADUATION takes place three times every year: at the end of the fall, winter, every year: at the end of the fall, winter, and summer semesters.and summer semesters.

COMMENCEMENT is the term used for the COMMENCEMENT is the term used for the graduation ceremony. Commencement graduation ceremony. Commencement takes place twice a year, in December and takes place twice a year, in December and May.May.

Students graduating at the end of the Students graduating at the end of the summer semester may participate in the summer semester may participate in the commencement ceremony at the end of commencement ceremony at the end of the winter semester.the winter semester.

Other Other ConsiderationsConsiderations

Use your entire final year…DO NOT wait until the Use your entire final year…DO NOT wait until the last minute to plan your exit strategy!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 stuOther stuff”ff” Lease?Lease? Settle outstanding balances with NMU.Settle outstanding balances with NMU.

ON THE BIG DAY!ON THE BIG DAY! Commencement is held at 10:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of Commencement is held at 10:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of

the semester, usually in the Superior Dome. 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 NMU sends your diploma and final transcript to your

permanent address, or to the address you specify on permanent address, or to the address you specify on return mailing label.return mailing label.

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