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Graduation Requirements

Undergraduate requirements for graduation

Courses and Credits

The minimum number of semester hours required for graduation is one hundred and twenty (120). This number varies with many of the major programs. Candidates must satisfactorily complete the requirements of the major study area in which they are enrolled to be eligible for graduation. Of the minimum total of 120 semester hours, fifty-two (52) hours of General Education courses must be completed by the candidate. General Education Program Requirements are available for viewing on the web site. 

Grades and Grade Point Averages

To qualify for graduation, the following grades and grade point averages must be earned by the candidate:

A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 (“C”)
A minimum grade of 2.00 (“C”) in each course in a field of specialization
A minimum of 2.00 (“C”) GPA for the last thirty (30) semester hours of work at the University

Students are encouraged to meet with academic advisors or direct questions about graduation to their chairs

If matters need to be elevated, students should speak with the college deans. We are asking that any inquiries about graduation requirements be managed in this manner and not through Academic Affairs or the Office of the President. 

Visit the academic regulations page for full details. 

Graduate requirements for graduation 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION

In order to earn a master’s or a doctorate degree, graduate students must satisfy all of the institutional requirements as well as the specified requirements of the program in which they are enrolled. At a minimum to earn a master’s degree, a student must have earned at least 30 graduate credits, of which no more than 6 may be thesis, internship, or other special project. At a minimum to earn a doctoral degree, a student must have earned at least 60 graduate credits (including those previously applied toward a master’s degree and accepted as part of the doctoral curriculum), of which not more than 18 may be for the dissertation. Students may take additional thesis or dissertation credits, as needed, for the duration of their project. In no cases may additional thesis/dissertation credits be substituted for core or elective courses in determining qualification for the degree.

To earn a graduate degree, the graduate student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for all work taken on the graduate level.

PARTICIPATION IN GRADUATION EXERCISES

Graduate students may participate in the annual graduation exercises in May only if the following conditions are met:

  • File the application and audit for graduation and all supporting documents as previously noted.
  • Enroll in all courses required to complete degree requirements.
  • Successfully complete those courses of current enrollment and satisfy all degree program requirements.
  • Submit any required thesis or dissertation to the library for binding as noted in the Academic Calendar.
  • Satisfy all financial obligations to the University.

Graduate degree recipients interested in participating in Commencement ceremonies must submit the Application for Graduation according to the procedures and deadlines in place, even if they completed the requirements the previous August or December.