Posthumous Degree - Graduate
In the event of a student's untimely death, the university may grant a posthumous degree if the following criteria are met.
Graduate students
Masters/MFA/MBA/EdS
Eligibility:
- The student had successfully completed at least 70% of their degree requirements.
- For graduate certificates, the student must have successfully completed at least 75% of the coursework required.
- The student was in good standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- The student had no pending disciplinary sanctions.
- The academic school in which the student was enrolled recommends the awarding of a posthumous degree.
EdD
Eligibility:
- The student had successfully completed at least 75% of all program-associated coursework.
- For graduate certificates, the student must have successfully completed at least 75% of the coursework required.
- The student had completed the comprehensive exam or all program benchmark exams.
- The student had secured IRB approval to proceed with the implementation of the dissertation research.
- The student was in good standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- The student had no pending disciplinary sanctions.
- The School of Education recommends the awarding of a posthumous degree.
Procedure:
- Anyone can request a deceased student be considered for a posthumous degree. It is recommended that this request be made within two years of the student’s passing.
- Once a request has been made, the student’s academic school dean and department faculty will review the student’s eligibility. If the school representatives determine that the student is eligible for a posthumous degree, the recommendation will be forwarded to the Provost.
- If approved, the Provost will direct the Registrar to award the degree and request a diploma to be sent to the next of kin.
- The statement “Awarded Posthumously” will be printed on both the student’s transcript and the diploma.