Applying for Graduation | Graduation | myBay

Graduation

Graduation FAQ

FAQ

What is Graduation?

Graduation is when you have completed your degree requirements and earn your degree.
When you apply for graduation an audit is completed to inform you of your progress.

What is a Degree Audit?

An audit looks at the courses that you have taken and compares it to the courses that are required for your degree.
The audit will provide you with the courses you still need to complete towards your degree.
You only need to apply for graduation one time while you are pursuing a degree.

What is Commencement?

Commencement is when you get to walk across the stage in a cap and gown and celebrate your accomplishments.
We hold Commencement once a year in the Spring. Invitations are sent out by the middle of March.
Walking in commencement does not guarantee you earn your degree, we invite all students who have the possibility to complete their degree requirements during that academic year. (Fall, Winter, Summer)

Commencement>Default Page

Commencement RSVP

If you have been invited to attend this year’s Commencement Ceremony, please complete this form to confirm your attendance and submit your cap and gown sizing information.

Commencement RSVP

📅 Application Deadline: To ensure a smooth graduation process, please submit your application at least one semester before you expect to complete all requirements for your degree or certificate program.

📜 Transcript Audit: The Registrar will conduct a formal audit of your transcript to verify the completion of all necessary coursework.

📩 Notification: Once the audit is complete, you will receive an email confirming whether all graduation requirements have been met or if additional coursework is needed.

❗ Degree & Certificate Eligibility: A comprehensive academic audit is required before a degree or certificate can be awarded.

🎓 Commencement Participation:
To take part in Commencement activities—including announcements, invitations, and ordering your cap & gown—you must apply by March 1st. Applications submitted after this date may still allow you to participate in the May ceremony, but you may miss out on these key items.

For any questions, please contact (906) 217.4129

Application for Graduation

Students should complete this application during their second-to-last semester or when they are nearing the completion of their course requirements. Submitting this application will initiate a degree audit to confirm eligibility for graduation. Please note that this application only needs to be completed once for each degree you intend to earn. This process is separate from the commencement ceremony, which requires a separate registration.

Application for Graduation

More than one Degree

To be eligible for a second degree, a student must complete 15 additional credit hours beyond the first degree, as well as the degree requirements for the second degree.
Students who wish to complete more than one major may either:

1. declare two majors at one time.
2. change their major/degree after completing the first certificate or degree.

Diplomas & Certificates

These are mailed directly to the Graduate, approximately 6-8 weeks after the last day of the semester.

They are mailed to the address that you have on file. If you need to update your address do so by going to: Current Students> Personal Information Update or click here.

Commencement Speaker Competition

2025 Commencement Speaker Competition

Bay College is excited to announce the kick-off to the 2025 commencement speaker competition for this year’s graduation ceremony.

Students are asked to write a speech to deliver at Bay College’s 2025 graduation May 10th. All speeches should be between four to five minutes long when read aloud and should specifically address new Bay College graduates. All speeches are expected to be considerate and responsive to the sensitivities of general audiences.

To enter, a student must submit his or her speech in document form by April 1st, to Dr. Renee Strom, Arts & Letters faculty member, via email: renee.strom@baycollege.edu. Each entry must include the student’s full name, contact email, and telephone number. All entrants must be eligible to graduate by Summer 2025, have applied for graduation, and be planning to participate in commencement.

Once all submissions have been considered, finalists will be contacted by Dr. Strom to deliver their speech[es] to the commencement speaker committee on April 15th.

The winner of the competition will receive $100 and will be part of the graduation ceremony and will get VIP seating for family near the stage. The second-place winner will receive $50.

Following are some suggestions for students planning to enter the contest:

Commencement is a formal ceremony. As such, a formal greeting is appropriate to start the speech. The correct order of the greeting is as follows: “Members of the Board of Trustees, President Hughes, faculty, staff, families, guests, and my fellow graduates.”
The speech should be presented at the competition in as polished a manner as possible. The judges will be considering several factors in making their selection, including the following:
Is the speech appropriate to the occasion and audience?
Is the content well organized, interesting, and one that captures the student experience or viewpoint?
Is the speech well delivered?
Is the speech inclusive enough to represent all of the graduates even though it may be from the perspective of a traditional or nontraditional student?
Is the speech fresh and memorable even though it may follow the traditional (but not required) “fond look back/challenge for the future” format of most of the past student graduation speeches?
Is the speech four to five minutes long?
Does the speaker reflect positively on the College?

Questions can be directed to Renee Strom by telephone, 906-217-4131, or via email.

Commencement

We honor students who have completed their certificates and degrees once a year on the Saturday following the end of Winter Semester (usually in May). Participation in the ceremony is strongly encouraged, but not required.

We will provide more information to candidates as the ceremony draws closer.

**In order to guarantee that names appear in the Commencement program and that students have a cap & gown, applications must be submitted by March 1^st.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of Degree/Certificate Requirements: Ensure you have fulfilled all degree or certificate requirements as outlined in the catalog of record. Your catalog of record is determined by the year in which you declared your major. If you do not take classes for more than two consecutive semesters, the catalog year changes to the year you resume taking classes.
Cumulative GPA: Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher.
Minimum Credits at Bay College: Complete a minimum of 17 credits at Bay College for degrees (16 credits for certificates).