Spring Commencement Information: Click
HERE
- Publicity Release for Graduation - PDF
Graduation Requirements:
Before graduating, a student must:
1. Apply for graduation and a degree audit at the Office of the Registrar
2. Satisfy all financial obligations with the university
3. Complete the following university requirements:
a. At least 120 hours for a baccalaureate degree, or at least 60 hours for an associate degree. A student must have earned both cumulative, Northern (institutional) and major grade point averages of at least 2.00. For purposes of major , all credits used to complete course and credit requirements of the major as well as related courses are included. Certain degree programs have higher minimum grade point averages. In addition, some majors require a minimum grade of “C” in each course used to meet major requirements. (See program descriptions for details.)
Minimum major requirements above 2.0 are as follows:
BA English 2.50 minimum C in major requirements
BA History 2.50 minimum C in major requirements
BS Medical Laboratory Science 2.80
BSED/BME programs 2.60 minimum cumulative and in major
BSED Social Sciences minimum C in major requirements
b. A minimum of 36 semester hours of credit in courses numbered 300 and above (upper division), for a baccalaureate degree.
c. Institutional credit is credit offered by Northern State University. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be earned in institutional credit for a baccalaureate degree; 15 for an associate degree. Fifteen of the last 30 hours earned preceding completion of the baccalaureate degree must be earned in institutional credit; 8 of the last 15 hours for an associate degree. A minimum of 50% of credit hours in the discipline must be completed in institutional credit. However, this requirement may be waived for students enrolled in the set of majors offered at the system’s centers which include in the established programs of study common courses offered by one of the other regental universities. In addition, the provost/vice president for academic affairs may make exceptions to this requirement for individuals based on the student’s prior learning experiences.
d. Complete all work as outlined to satisfy requirements pertaining to the major and/or minor.
e. All students are required to show satisfactory performance on the proficiency examination-sometimes referred to as the CAAP exam or Rising Junior exam.
f. Baccalaureate candidates must complete the appropriate exit exam in the major field. Test results will not affect graduation status but participation is required for graduation.
Any student who fails to successfully complete all remaining requirements in the semester of graduation must apply for graduation again in a subsequent semester. All graduation requirements including incomplete grades and all correspondence courses must be completed by the verification deadline or the student will be required to reapply.
Honors: Graduation honors will be determined on cumulative and institutional grade point average. Students who have earned an institutional GPA of 3.5 shall be graduated cum laude (baccalaureate) or with honor (associate). Those who earn 3.70 shall be graduated magna cum laude, (baccalaureate) or with high honors (associate) and those earning a 3.9 shall be graduated summa cum laude (baccalaureate) or with highest honor (associate). Honors are only awarded to students who have completed at least 64 semester hours credit (baccalaureate) or at least 32 semester hours credit (associate) in residence at Northern State University.
Based on grade point average at the end of the term prior to graduation and anticipated credits, qualified students become "candidates for honors" and will be recognized in the commencement program. Final graduation honors are determined after all requirements have been met and will be shown on the diploma.
Commencement ceremony. Commencement is a time for celebrating your degree with family and friends. While attendance is not mandatory, you are encouraged to participate. If you cannot attend, your diploma cover and diploma will be mailed to you.
Failure to complete requirements. Students must complete all requirements for the degree within 10 days of the end of the semester of graduation or apply for graduation in a subsequent semester.
Exit exams. Students are required to sit for an exit exam in each major field of study declared. The degree will not be awarded until scores have been recorded. The exit exams are not given every semester (no exit tests are given during the summer). You must register to take the tests according to instructions and adhering to deadlines that are mailed to students at your campus address.
Diploma. Diplomas are issued after all grades for the degree have been submitted and an audit has determined that all requirements have been met. Diplomas are usually mailed about three weeks after the end of the semester and are sent to the address provided at the time of application for graduation. Replacements of lost diplomas can be requested from Enrollment Services for $10.