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University Graduation Policies

Application for Graduation

The graduation application fee was established to enhance services to Southern University at Shreveport graduating students. Application for graduation must be made the semester prior to the semester of graduation/degree completion. Graduation applications are located in the annual Commencement Guide posted on the Registrar’s Office web page. The graduation application fee must be paid at the time of application and underwrites various costs related to commencement, degree certification, diploma printings and mailings, and other graduation-related expenses.

Students are strongly advised to consult with their academic advisor prior to submitting an application for graduation. This fee must be paid whether or not the student participates in the formal exercises. The graduation application fee is non-refundable.

To receive the Associate in Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, Technical Diploma, or Certificate, a student must:

  1. Complete all course requirements in the prescribed program of study as prescribed in the University Catalog.
  2. Earn a minimum of 2.0 in all major courses.
  3. Earn a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average.
  4. Complete 25% of coursework through instruction offered by Southern University at Shreveport.

Commencement Participation

While the graduation application fee is required for each student completing degree requirements at Southern University at Shreveport (SUSLA), the commencement participation fee is required only for those who actually participate in the ceremony. This fee underwrites the costs of commencement-related services, resources, events and programmatic elements of the commencement experience from beginning to end. Commencement related activities and/or items include regalia (cap, gown, hood, and tassel), a predetermined number of graduation invitations, and the graduate reception.

Concurrent Degrees/Dual Degrees

Students who earn two (2) or more certificates/degrees in the same semester must satisfy the requirements for both degrees and earn the following additional hours to receive a dual degree.

  • Nine (9) related hours for certificates.
  • Fifteen (15) related hours for associates.

Awarding of a Degree Posthumously

SUSLA will award the Associate degree posthumously to a student who has completed all graduation requirements or to a student who meets all of the following requirements:

  • Enrolled courses must be those which, if completed, would have fulfilled graduation requirements.
  • The student must have a grade point average at the time of death which meets SUSLA’s graduation requirements.

Honor Graduates

Students who achieve certain academic distinction through earned grade point averages will graduate with honors. The following standards apply:

3.75 – 4.0 with highest honor

3.5 – 3.74 with high honor

3.0 – 3.49 with honor

*Scholastic honors for graduation are determined at the close of the semester prior to the semester of graduation.

Rescinding of Degrees and Certificates

Southern University at Shreveport reserves the right to rescind the awarding of associate degrees and certificates if the university discovers that the degrees and certificates were awarded in error.