Preparation to Graduate
Commencement is a day to remember for graduates, parents, friends and the entire Detroit Mercy community. To make the day go as planned, it’s important to have the right preparation for you and your guests.
To help you prepare, be sure to check out the information here on caps and gowns, guest ticketing, parking, the Graduate Salute and local hotels.
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Caps and gowns
Caps, gowns, and tassels (and stoles for bachelor degrees and hoods for master, specialist and doctoral candidates) can only be ordered online. The website for placing an order can be found at herffjones.com.
Prices vary by degree. Bachelor $44, Masters/Specialist $50.50 and Doctoral $74. There is a standard shipping and handling rate of $15 within the U.S. plus sales tax. Caps and gowns will not be distributed at the University.
Your cap & gown (and stole or hood) will be shipped directly to you. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.
The last day for online orders is Monday, April 15, 2018. For orders after April 15, call 1-800-879-8143 to place a RUSH order. Rush orders will incur a $25 expedite charge. Monday, May 1, 2018 is the LAST day to place a rush order.
No orders will be accepted after May 1, 2018.
Attire
Commencement is a formal academic ceremony. Only approved academic regalia can be worn. Although Calihan Hall is not air-conditioned, fans will be used to circulate the air. Dress accordingly. With more than 7,000 graduates, faculty and guests, depending on the weather, it may be warm. Because you will be standing in line and marching both inside and outdoors for over an hour, comfortable shoes are recommended.
Gown decoration is strictly limited to University, college and school honor regalia. A listing of the approved items may be obtained from your college or school office or the Office of the Registrar. Caps should not contain adornments or messages. Candidates whose caps and gowns do not comply with the academic standards will not be permitted into the arena. You may not wear a cap and gown from another institution. Starting in 2015 all bachelor degree candidates will be wearing a Detroit Mercy stole with their cap and gown. These can be purchased separately online, if you already own a cap and gown.
Cap and Gown Tassel and Hood Colors for Degree Majors
Degree Tassel /Hood Color Bachelor Degree Majors Tassel Color Accounting Golden Yellow Addiction Studies Golden Yellow Architectural Engineering Orange Architecture Blue-Violet Biochemistry Golden Yellow Biology Golden Yellow Business Administration Drab Chemistry Golden Yellow Civil Engineering Orange Civil and Environmental Engineering Orange Communication Studies White Computer Science Golden Yellow Criminal Justice Golden Yellow Developmental Psychology White Digital Media Studies White Economics White Electrical Engineering Orange Elementary Education Light Blue Engineering Orange English White Environmental Engineering Orange Financial Economics White Health Information Management Golden Yellow Health Services Golden Yellow Health Services Administration Golden Yellow History White Industrial/Organizational Psychology White Legal Administration White Liberal Studies White Mathematics Golden Yellow (BS) or White (BA) Mechanical Engineering Orange Nursing Apricot Philosophy White Political Science White Psychology White Robotics and Mechatronic Systems Engineering Orange Religious Studies White Social Studies Education Light Blue Social Work Citron Sociology White Software Engineering Golden Yellow Software Production and Management Golden Yellow Special Education — Emotionally Impaired/Behaviorally Disordered Light Blue Special Education — Learning Disabled Light Blue Theater White Master Degree Majors Tassel and Hood Color Addiction Counseling White Architecture Blue-Violet Business Administration Drab Chemistry Golden Yellow Civil and Environmental Engineering Orange Clinical Mental Health Counseling White Clinical Nurse Leader Apricot Clinical Psychology White Community Counseling White Community Development White Computer Science Golden Yellow Criminal Justice White Curriculum and Instruction Light Blue Economics Copper Educational Administration Light Blue Electrical and Computer Engineering Orange Elementary Education Light Blue Engineering Management Orange Family Nurse Practitioner Apricot Financial Economics Copper Health Services Administration Golden Yellow Health Systems Management Apricot Industrial/Organizational Psychology White Information Assurance Golden Yellow Intelligence Analysis Golden Yellow Liberal Studies White Mechanical Engineering Orange Nurse Anesthesiology Golden Yellow Nursing Education Apricot Physician Assistant Golden Yellow Product Development Golden Yellow Religious Studies White School Counseling Light Blue School Psychology White Security Administration Golden Yellow Software Engineering Golden Yellow Software Management Golden Yellow Special Education — Emotionally Impaired/Behaviorally Disordered Light Blue Special Education — Learning Disabled Light Blue Teaching of Mathematics Light Blue Specialist Degree Majors Tassel and Hood Color School Psychology White Doctoral Degree Majors Tassel and Hood Color Civil and Environmental Engineering Orange Clinical Psychology Dark Blue Electrical Engineering Orange Mechanical Engineering Orange Nursing Practice Apricot -
Graduate Salute
Date: March 15, 2018
All prospective graduates are invited to stop by the Graduate Salute which will be held in the Student Center Fountain Lounge from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Representatives from
- Career Education Center
- College of Business Administration
- College of Engineering & Science
- College of Health Professions and McAuley School of Nursing
- Student Accounting Office
- Office of the Registrar
- Office of Financial Aid
- Graduate Admissions Office
- Alumni Office
- University Ministry
will be available to answer questions and provide information to candidates for graduation.
Candidates will also have the opportunity to order their cap and gown online, purchase class ring, graduation announcements/invitations or have a graduation picture taken from the commencement photographers at the Grad Salute.
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Guest ticketing and Calihan Hall seating
Guest Tickets
No tickets are required for the ceremony. Candidates are asked to be judicious in the number of invitations they extend. We ask that no more than 10 guests be invited. Remember that seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. and once Calihan Hall is at capacity, no more guests will be admitted. Tickets may be required in future years based on future graduating classes and expected attendance.
Seating for Disabled Persons
Guest seating is restricted to the upper arena which is accessible only by stairs. A limited number of seats for disabled persons are available on the main floor. Only one family member is permitted to sit with those who require disabled seating. Escorted entry is through the northeast arena door only. Seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Strollers will not be accommodated in the disabled seating area.
When the section for disabled persons in Calihan Hall is full there is additional seating also available in the Student Fitness Center located southwest from Calihan Hall with plenty of space for additional family and friends. Limited transportation from Calihan to the Student Fitness Center is available by golf cart. There is parking in Lot E right next to the Fitness Center for vehicles with a state-issued handicapped parking pass. Screens will be showing the complete ceremony at that facility.
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Honors and Diploma
Latin Honors
Graduates who have compiled superior academic records during their undergraduate program at Detroit Mercy will have one of the following honors inscribed on their diploma and recorded on their permanent academic transcript: cum laude (3.50 GPA minimum), magna cum laude (3.70 GPA minimum), summa cum laude (3.90 GPA minimum). These GPA requirements are in effect for students entering Detroit Mercy as of Fall 2011.
Any student who started a degree program prior to Fall 2011 (when new rules went into effect) and has not finished his or her bachelor degree by May 2015 will be required to follow these GPA requirements. All coursework in the cumulative GPA at Detroit Mercy is used in the calculation for honors. Transfer students must complete at least 60 hours at Detroit Mercy to be eligible for honors recognition.
The responsibility for determining appropriate academic honors rests with the individual colleges and schools. Candidates enrolled in the Honors Program, who have completed the established requirements of the program, will have honors suitably inscribed as part of their degree name on their diploma.
Candidates expected to complete their degrees in Summer 2018 will not have honors read at Commencement because coursework is incomplete and final GPA is not yet determined. Honors information cannot be altered on Commencement Day. Please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for information. There are no cords worn at commencement for those receiving Latin honors.
Diploma
If all degree requirements have been met, financial balances including the graduation fee have been paid and the diploma order processed, you will receive your diploma immediately following the Commencement Ceremony in your college or school. Others will receive their diplomas from their colleges or schools at a later date, when all the aforementioned has been completed.
Two Degrees at this Ceremony
If you are receiving two degrees at this ceremony, special arrangements need to be made, especially if those degrees are from two different colleges or schools. Please contact the Registrar's Office no later than May 1st to discuss options for participation with the Registrar.
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Locations and Parking
Locations
Share a copy of the McNichols Campus Map with your guests so that they may familiarize themselves with the campus, its facilities and parking areas.
You may also wish to see the Driving Directions page.
Parking
Parking will be crowded and campus traffic will be heavy. Please allow extra time and car pool.
Handicapped parking, in front of Calihan Hall, is limited and restricted to those with valid handicapped stickers or license plates.
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Local Hotels
Suggested Detroit Area Hotel Accommodations