If you've completed an Application for Graduation and need to make revisions please call Academic Records at (248) 370-3460 to update your application for graduation.

Difference Between Commencement and Graduation

There is a distinct difference between graduation and commencement. Commencement ceremonies are held twice each year. A May ceremony recognizes Winter Semester (April) and Summer I (June) master’s degree candidates and Winter Semester doctoral degree candidates. A December ceremony is held for Summer II (August) and Fall Semester (December) master’s degree candidates and Summer I, Summer II and Fall Semester doctoral degree candidates. For additional information on upcoming commencement ceremonies, visit the Oakland University Commencement website.

The semester or session of graduation refers to the term in which you file an Application for Graduation with the Academic Records Office. This is typically the semester or session in which you complete your degree or graduate certificate requirements.

Degree audits are conducted during the semester for which you have applied to graduate.Your degree audit will first be submitted to your department for them to review program requirements. All grade changes, petitions of exception and transfer credits must be submitted and approved prior to this initial audit. You should meet with your adviser at the beginning of the semester in which you plan to graduate to confirm that all academic, credit and degree requirements have been met. If a deficiency is found, you will be notified by Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning via your Oakland University email. Final audits are conducted approximately two weeks after term grades have been posted and degrees are posted 6 to 8 weeks after the end of the semester.

Please be reminded if you are completing a thesis or dissertation (not a terminal project), you must follow the deadlines for format review, defense and submission for binding. It is important to carefully review and follow the graduation checklist to minimize deficiencies that will delay your graduation.

Master’s student participation in Commencement ceremony before completion of degree requirements
Within one term of completing their degree requirements, master’s students may participate in commencement. A Request to Participate in Commencement Ceremony form must be approved by their academic adviser and department chair and submitted to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning for final approval.