Graduation Requirements
Undergraduate Degree
In order to be eligible for graduation with an undergraduate degree, students must meet all of the following:
- Complete minimum credit hours required for degree
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00
- Meet residency requirements for undergraduate programs
Graduate Degree
In order to be eligible for graduation in a graduate degree, students must meet all of the following:
- Complete minimum credit hours required for degree
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
- Meet residency requirements for graduate programs
Doctoral Degree
In order to be eligible for graduation in a graduate degree, students must meet all of the following:
- Complete minimum credit hours required for degree
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
- Pass Oral Defense
- Pass Executive Summary or final milestone as determine by the respective College.
Degree Conferral
Degree conferral is the institutional process by which a degree is formally awarded following verification that all academic and programmatic requirements have been successfully completed.
The Office of the Registrar identifies students who have met graduation requirements through established institutional reporting processes during and after their final term. Following the posting of final grades, the Office of the Registrar conducts a final degree audit to confirm that all requirements have been successfully completed and recorded.
For doctoral programs, degree conferral additionally requires verification that all program-specific milestones have been completed, including final defense requirements and approval of the final dissertation/doctoral deliverable, executive summary, or equivalent culminating project, as defined by the program. All required academic and administrative approvals must be received and recorded prior to conferral.
Upon successful completion of the final degree audit, the degree is conferred and recorded on the student’s official academic transcript. Degrees are typically conferred within 30 days following the posting of final grades and completion of all program requirements.
Commencement Ceremony
The formal commencement ceremony is held once a year on a date announced by the University. Degree and certificate candidates who have completed all graduation requirements since the previous commencement ceremony are eligible to participate. Undergraduate and graduate degree/certificate candidates who will be completed with their program requirements for graduation on the date of commencement will also be invited to participate in the ceremony. Students enrolled in doctoral programs must have completed all academic requirements including the final defense or presentation to apply to participate in the commencement ceremony. Please refer to Commencement Information page for additional information.
Recognition of Academic Honors
Undergraduate Students
Students who demonstrate exceptionally high academic scores are eligible for graduation honors. Academic honors are posted to the final transcript when the student’s degree is conferred.
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.80-4.00
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.65-3.79
- Cum Laude: 3.50-3.64
Graduate Students
Graduate students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.70 or above are eligible for graduation honors and as recognized as “With Distinction”.