Graduation

Responsibility For Graduation Requirements

Every candidate for a degree is personally responsible for meeting all requirements for graduation. No University official can relieve the student of this responsibility.

Application For Graduation

Seniors who plan to receive a baccalaureate degree in December should make application for graduation at registration time for the fall semester, or no later than the end of the first full week of classes in the fall semester. Candidates for the baccalaureate degree in May should make application at registration time for the spring semester, or no later than the end of the first full week of classes in the spring semester. Students can apply for graduation online via Webster. In addition, application forms are available in the Registrar’s Office and online at bradley.edu/offices/academic/registrar/graduation-info/. Completed undergraduate applications must be filed in the Registrar’s Office. If a student fails to complete the requirements at the time stated on the application for graduation, reapplication must be made for a later date.

Completion Of Degree Requirements

Students who maintain continuous enrollment and who complete work toward the baccalaureate degree within five years from the date of entry may graduate under either the catalog in effect at the time of entrance or under the catalog in effect at the time of graduation. A change in major could mean meeting new requirements in force at the time of the change as a condition for acceptance into that major. Students whose work has been interrupted for one or more semesters may be held to requirements in effect at the time of their re-enrollment. Candidates for a degree must meet all-University requirements and requirements in the curriculum for which they have applied. The deans of the colleges give final approval for graduation and recommend the candidates for the degree. Therefore, questions concerning degree requirements should be directed to the college deans.

Students electing to take courses at another accredited institution to meet Bradley graduation requirements must obtain prior written approval of their dean. An official transcript covering this coursework must be received by the Bradley University Registrar’s Office no later than two weeks after the end of the Bradley semester. The grades of all work needed to fulfill the graduation requirements, whether earned through residence at Bradley or on another campus, must be completed and received by the Registrar’s Office no later than two weeks after the end of the Bradley semester.

Note the University regulations concerning incompletes and their removal deadline earlier in this catalog. Incomplete grades must be resolved prior to the degree being awarded.

Attendance At Commencement

Commencement is held following the end of each regular semester. All candidates for the degree whose names appear on the tentative list of candidates posted one month prior to the commencement may attend the commencement ceremony. Students may participate in Commencement if they have proof of registration for the work which will complete the requirements for the degree. If some coursework is being transferred, proof of registration from the Registrar of the other institution must be received by the end of the third full week of classes. Students who have degree requirements remaining may apply for permission to participate in a particular commencement if the following conditions are met: the remaining degree requirements do not exceed two courses and/or required practical experiences; and it must be possible for the student to complete the remaining degree requirements during the interim and/or summer session immediately following the commencement. Formal requests for permission must be filed with your college dean. The actual date of the degree would be the next official graduation date immediately following the completion of degree requirements.

Awarding Of Diplomas

Diplomas will be awarded at the end of the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, whichever date follows the completion of all of the requirements for the degree, and will bear that date. Diplomas will be awarded only to students completing all degree requirements.

Honors

Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude

By commencement honors, Bradley University recognizes a student’s superior scholastic achievement. Evidence of achievement is shown by the student’s grade point average (GPA). To be awarded special honors at Commencement, a student must have earned or be registered for a minimum of 60 semester hours in residence at Bradley University. A student will be awarded Commencement Honors according to the following standard:

• 3.40-3.59 Cum Laude
• 3.60-3.79 Magna Cum Laude
• 3.80-4.00 Summa Cum Laude

For recognition at Honors Day and at Commencement, the computation of the Honors designation earned by GPA shall be made on the basis of cumulative GPA and hours completed at the end of the semester immediately preceding graduation (normally after seven semesters of work). The computation of the GPA for Honors designation on the student’s permanent record and diploma shall be made on the basis of all work completed at Bradley University at the time of graduation.

Students who have successfully completed the requirements of the University Honors Program will be recognized for this achievement by a separate certificate.