Graduation, Certification, and Commencement

Students must remain enrolled until the end of the semester in which all degree requirements are completed. All degree requirements must be complete by posted deadlines in order to graduate in a given semester.

Obtaining Degree Certification

Provisional Certification

The Graduate School will issue a letter of provisional certification when requested by the student. The student must have completed all the requirements for an advanced degree, including submitting the thesis, dissertation, or report to the Graduate School. A provisional certification may be needed if an employer requires proof of degree completion well in advance of official certification of the degree. A provisional certification is generally not available for a coursework student, since all grades need to be submitted prior to awarding a degree. Contact the Graduate School for additional assistance.

Official Certification

The Board of Trustees receives and approves the list of degree recipients at its next regular meeting after the end of the semester. That meeting date is the conferral date for the degrees, but the effective date is the end of the semester in which the student finishes. After the end of the semester in which the student finishes, the degree awarded will appear on the student's transcript. Students may request an official transcript to obtain proof of their degree before receiving a diploma.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be mailed approximately six weeks after the end of the semester a student completes their degree. Diplomas are sent to the address provided in the Graduation Application. Students should notify the Graduate School with any address changes prior to the end of their final semester. Contact the Registrar for information on requesting duplicate or replacement diplomas.

Final grades

Final grades are maintained by the University as a permanent record.  Students who wish to receive an official record of their final grades may request a transcript from the Registrar's Office.

Graduation Application

All graduate students must complete a Graduation Application by the fifth week in the semester they plan to complete their degree. Their Academic Audit contains information and a link to the application. It collects information about where to mail the credential, the term it will be completed, how the name will appear, and whether the student is participating in the commencement ceremony. 

For students completing their degree in the summer or fall who wish to attend prior spring commencement, the Graduation Application must be submitted by the 5th week of the spring semester. For example, if a student is finishing their degree in fall 2026 and wants to participate in the spring 2026 ceremony, the Graduation Application is due in week 5 of spring 2026.

Commencement Ceremony

Michigan Tech's Graduate Commencement ceremony is held at the end of the spring semester.

• Graduate students who have completed their degree may defer to a future ceremony.
• Graduate students who are on track to complete their degree in the summer or fall may participate in the spring ceremony prior to graduation, or defer to a future spring ceremony.

Students who have completed a Graduation Application and have indicated that they may participate in commencement will need to complete a Commencement Application. Their Academic Audit contains information and a link to the application. 

The Graduate School will provide information regarding the commencement ceremony to the Michigan Tech email in the months leading up to the ceremony.