Posthumous Degrees and Certificates Policy
Sponsor: Office of Academic Affairs
Contact: Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Category: Academic and Student Affairs
Number: TBD
Effective Date: 2025/09/02
Implementation History: New Policy
Keywords: Certificate, Degree, Posthumous
Background Information: N/A
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define the circumstances under which a posthumous degree or certificate may be awarded.
Definitions
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Statements
Under certain circumstances, the university may posthumously award a degree or certificate to a student who passes away before graduating. Typically, at least 75% of degree requirements must be met. This may be determined in consultation with the student’s mentor/advisor. Upon notification of a student’s death, the provost designee will begin the process of determining whether a posthumous degree should be awarded. Final approval of award of the degree or certificate will rest with the university president. If approved, a diploma will be issued to the family, and a comment will be placed on the student’s transcript: Degree Awarded Posthumously. Latin honors are not awarded on posthumous degrees. If a student does not meet the threshold for a posthumous degree, the university president may award a certificate of recognition to the student’s family.
Posthumous degrees may be awarded at any level. General requirements for posthumous degrees:
- The university must verify that the student is
- The student must have been in good academic
- The student must have had no disciplinary sanctions
The president and/or provost may consider cases that do not meet the above criteria when extraordinary circumstances prevail.
Applicable Legislation and Regulations
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