Graduation Preparation

1. Complete your Major Release

You can complete a Major Release online if you are a declared Psych or BCN major. Please use the comments section on the form if you have any questions for an advisor. You will receive a copy of your major release 7-10 business days after submitting the form.

**Note for Dual Majors/Minors** If you are a dual-major or if you also have a declared minor or supplemental studies plan, a release must be completed for each. You should consult each department to learn how they handle this process.

2. Apply for Graduation

Next Steps...

After you have completed the steps noted above, in 3–5 weeks, the LSA Auditors will send a final audit of all your college, LSA, major and minor requirements to your umich.edu email account.

For more information regarding graduation, please read the Graduation Process Information PDF.

**Note for those Studying Abroad** If you plan to be abroad during your final year, it is strongly suggested that you take care of your Major Release prior to leaving the country.

Attendance - Can I participate?

Undergraduates who have or will complete all requirements at the end of Fall 2024, Winter 2025, or Summer 2025 terms are invited to participate in the Department of Psychology ceremony. Eligible graduates must RSVP to receive tickets for themselves and their guests.

All students eligible for graduation during these terms will be listed in the Psychology Commencement Program. To be listed in the University Commencement Program, students must apply for graduation by the date listed on Newnan's website here.

You may also want to review information about the University Commencement Ceremony.

Attire

Graduates must wear their cap and gown. Your tassel should be worn on the right side.

You may be standing until the ceremony begins (up to an hour) and walking down a long flight of stairs; please plan shoes accordingly. You are encouraged to leave your jacket/coat with family/friends during the ceremony and not bring it with you to your seat on the floor during the procession.

Academic regalia can be purchased at:

University bookstores
Various online vendors; one option is Herff Jones
At the Herff Jones Grad Fair in March in the East Hall Psychology Atrium on Weds. March 19, 2025 from 10am-4pm

Psychology Tassel (Grey)

BCN Tassel (Cool/Light Grey)

Cords

Graduates who are part of the LSA Honors College will be given Honors cords at the Honors Commencement Ceremony. Genuine Honors cords cannot be purchased in the bookstores or online. Find out more about the Honors Commencement here.

The Ginsberg Center offers service cords for students who -- through voluntary service, activism and advocacy, or other forms of civic engagement -- helped address or make positive change around a specific social issue in partnership with economically or socially marginalized communities beyond campus. Find out more about service cords here.

The maize cords at the bookstores are for graduates who earn Distinction/High Distinction/Highest Distinction. Degrees ‘with distinction’ are awarded on the basis of rank in class.

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 3% of their class are recommended for a degree “with Highest Distinction.”
Students who rank in the top 10% of their class, but not in the top 3%, are recommended for a degree “with High Distinction.”
Students who rank in the top 25% of their class, but not in the top 10%, are recommended for a degree “with Distinction.”

A notation is made on the diploma and the transcript. The GPA ranges for the distinction notations are determined each May, based on the cumulative GPAs of LSA graduates of that May degree period. Those same numbers are used for the August and December degree periods of that calendar year. Distinction ranges will not be calculated until all grades are posted for all graduates for the Winter term. This means you will not officially know at the time you participate in commencement activities.

How do you know whether or not you should buy maize distinction cords they sell at the bookstores? A best estimate reflects general ranges from the past:

Highest Distinction: 3.940-4.000
High Distinction: 3.847-3.939
Distinction: 3.686-3.846

Diploma

Graduate & Guest Arrival

Graduates: If you are unable to walk down stairs or have any mobility concerns, please email psych.saa@umich.edu as soon as possible.

Graduates should arrive at Crisler Arena at 10am and use the Northeast (main) Entrance. Guests are also welcome to arrive and begin seating at 10am.

Graduates must check in at the Will Call Ticket Area of the Northeast entrance. You will then be given your name and photo cards, and directed to your place in the procession line. Your name and photo cards are needed as you cross the stage to be recognized.

After checking in, graduates should proceed around the concourse to the LEFT, while guests should go RIGHT to take their seats within the arena.

Guests with Special Needs

Students with Special Needs

If you cannot walk down stairs or have any special needs not mentioned below, please contact psych.saa@umich.edu as soon as possible.

Parking

There are 60 handicap parking spaces available in front of the NE (main) entrance of Crisler on a first come, first served basis. Guests can also be dropped off and picked up at the NE Entrance. If parking at Crisler fills, overflow parking will be available at Pioneer High School (free of charge).

Entrance/Time of Arrival

All graduates and guests use the NE Entrance. Guests with limited mobility or other accessibility needs may enter at 9:40am, along with their party. All other guests and graduates must enter at 10am.

Stairs/Limited Mobility

Just inside the NE Entrance, there is an escalator and a small elevator that will take guests to the third (concourse) level. The closest entrance to the seating area is entrance B (between sections 104 & 101). This seating area is on the east side of Crisler and the stage will be on the south side of the arena floor.

Wheelchairs

Crisler will have 10-12 wheelchairs and Event Staff available to take guests with limited mobility up to the concourse. Guests are not able to use these wheelchairs during the ceremony. There will also be many Psych Dept and Crisler Event staff available if you need assistance pushing a wheelchair or helping someone with limited mobility.

Seating within the Arena

Chairs are stadium style with padded folding seats and plastic (slightly padded) backs. The first two (top) rows of the lower bowl are reserved for families of those with mobility issues, but do require going down a couple stairs.

Guests in wheelchairs may sit around the concourse. To allow room for our many guests with need for this type of seating, we allow one guest (with mobility limitations) plus one companion. Folding chairs will be available for those sitting in this area. The rest of the family members may sit directly in front of the guest(s) sitting on the concourse.

Concourse and reserved seating are on a first come, first served basis. We encourage those with wheelchairs to go around to the farther side of the concourse seating to allow those who walk, but cannot climb stairs to sit on the near-side concourse.

Closed Captioning

We will provide closed captioning on the Jumbotron for guests with hearing impairments.

Livestream

Lost & Found

NameCoach Pronunciation Tool

Parking

There are two parking options available to graduates and their guests:

1. Pioneer High School Parking lot: spaces should be available; no charge, must use the Main St. entrance and park on the east side of the parking lot (close to the commuter lot/Main St).

2. A limited number of spaces will be available at Crisler Center, as the lots are open to anyone on this day. You may park anywhere in the Crisler lot - there are no reserved areas for the Psychology Ceremony.

*Note: Handicapped spaces (60) will be available by the Northeast entrance of Crisler Center on a first come, first served basis. We will also reserve seating in the arena for guests with limited mobility.

Photos/Video & Memorabilia

The Department of Psychology hires a professional photographer to take photos before, during, and after the ceremony. These photos will be posted to our Photos & Videos website after the event. GradImages will also be onsite taking photos of each graduate before they walk across the stage and will email graduates with a link to purchase photos after the event. A video recording of the event will be available on the Photos & Videos website about a week after the event.

Send us Your T-Shirt Photos!

Strollers

Tickets

What Should I Bring?

Graduates should bring their MCard or state-issued ID. The Michigan Stadium Prohibited Items list will be followed at Crisler Center during all commencement activities, and all graduates & guests will be required to pass through a weapons detection system. Bags will not be permitted. Exceptions for guests with medical or childcare needs (e.g., medical prescriptions, diapers for a baby, etc.) will be addressed individually at entry.

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