Graduation, Degree Conferral and Commencement

Residency Requirement

A student who is registered for courses at Strayer University is considered to be in residence. To meet the below residency requirement, students must take and complete courses directly through Strayer; courses completed at an affiliate of Strayer do not meet the residency requirement. The following table lists the minimum hours in residence at Strayer required for each undergraduate certificate, post-baccalaureate certificate, diploma or degree program:

The following alternative credit choices will not satisfy a student's residency requirements: transfer credit, CLEP credits, DSST credits, Challenge Exam credits and Skills Advantage Program credits. "Transfer credit" includes, but is not limited to, courses completed at another institution, at an affiliate of Strayer, and through any alternative course credit provider.

Students in residence at Strayer who choose to take a course at another institution in order to transfer those credits into their program are required to submit a Request to Pursue Courses at Another Institution form to a dean/coach/advisor prior to enrolling at the outside institution.

The date of graduation is the last term when the student completed coursework at the university, or transferable or alternative credit, to satisfy a course requirement of their program.

Grade Point Average: Undergraduate

The grade point average is computed on a four-point basis. The cumulative grade point average includes all courses taken at the university except courses for which no grade points are assigned. (See Undergraduate Grading Scale.) 

Undergraduate degrees and diplomas are conferred only on students having a cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) or higher.

Undergraduate Degree Conferral Requirements

Undergraduate Associate and Bachelor's Degree
A student's degree conferral status will be reviewed when the student is nearing the completion of their undergraduate associate degree or bachelor's degree academics requirements. For most bachelor's degree students, this will be when the student enrolls in their capstone course, which by design is meant to be taken as the last or next-to-last course. If the student's bachelor's degree program does not have a capstone, and for all undergraduate associate degree students, this will be a comparable course that is the last or next-to-last course. A mandatory, nonrefundable Final Academic Requirements Evaluation Fee will be assessed to all bachelor's degree students when they enroll in their capstone course, or if a capstone does not exist, the comparable last or next-to-last course. The fee is not assessed for undergraduate associate degree students. Degrees are conferred at the end of each term and only after evaluation and approval of all program requirements. The following general requirements must be met in order to be evaluated for conferral:

1. Complete at least 90 quarter credit hours of course work for an associate degree and 180 quarter credit hours of course work for a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
2. Complete the minimum number of quarter credit hours in residence at Strayer University (associate degrees: 27.0 quarter credit hours within the program; bachelor's degrees: 54.0 quarter credit hours within the program).
3. The following courses must be completed in residence and are not eligible for transfer credit: WRK100, ACC399, and BUS399.
4. Meet specified academic requirements, including the quarter credit hour and course requirements for each area within the degree program.
5. Complete with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or P, in all courses in the student’s major and concentration. Also, students must receive a grade of C or higher in ENG 090, ENG 115 or ENG 116, ENG 201 or ENG 215, ENG 315, and MAT 104 or MAT 110, as applicable, regardless of whether the student is taking the course to satisfy a core program requirement or an elective.
6. Complete with a C (2.0) or higher, or P, all courses in the student's minor.
7. Final responsibility for meeting graduation requirements lies with the student.

Undergraduate Certificate and Diploma
Students' certificate or diploma conferral status will be reviewed when the student is nearing the completion of their academic requirements. For most certificate and diploma students, this will be when they enroll in their last or next-to-last course.

The Final Academic Requirements Evaluation Fee is not assessed for undergraduate certificate and diploma degree students.

Certificates and diplomas, excluding the Licensed Practical Nurse diploma, are conferred at the end of each term and only after evaluation and approval of all program requirements. The following general requirements must be met in order to be evaluated for conferral:

1. Complete 22.5 quarter credit hours of course work for a five-course certificate program, 13.5 quarter credit hours of course work for a three-course certificate program, and 54 quarter credit hours of course work for the diploma program.
2. Complete the minimum number of quarter credit hours in residence at Strayer (five-course certificate: 18.0 quarter credit hours; three-course certificate: 9.0 quarter credit hours; diploma: 31.5 quarter credit hours).
3. Complete the program with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
4. Meet specified academic requirements, including the quarter credit hour and course requirements for each area within the program.
5. Complete with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or P, all courses in the program subject area. Students must also receive a grade of C or higher, or P, in ENG 090, ENG 115 or ENG 116, ENG 201 or ENG 215, ENG 315, and MAT 104 or MAT 110.
6. Final responsibility for meeting requirements lies with the student.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) diplomas are conferred at the end of each term and only after evaluation and approval of all program requirements. The following general requirements must be met in order to be evaluated for conferral:

1. Complete a minimum of 49 quarter hours of course work for the diploma program.
2. Complete the minimum number of 37 quarter credit hours of nursing credits in residence at Strayer University within the LPN program.
3. Complete a total of 600 clinical hours.
4. Complete the program with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
5. Complete with a grade of C or higher all courses in the LPN program.
6. Fail no more than one course one time within the program. (One course repeat of one course only will be allowed.)
7. The LPN program course work must be successfully completed within five years from the student's initial term of attendance.
8. Final responsibility for meeting program requirements lies with the student.

Undergraduate Honors Citation

Undergraduate students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.69 at the completion of their degree requirements are recognized by graduating "cum laude." Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 to 3.89 at the completion of their degree requirements are recognized by graduating "magna cum laude." Students maintaining a 3.9 or better cumulative GPA are recognized by graduating "summa cum laude." These citations appear only on associate in arts, associate of applied business, bachelor of business administration and bachelor of science degrees.

Undergraduate honors citations do not apply to diploma or undergraduate certificate programs.

Grade Point Average: Graduate

The grade point average (GPA) is computed on a four-point basis. The cumulative GPA includes all graduate courses taken at the university except courses for which no grade points are assigned. (See Graduate Grading Scale.) 

Graduate students must attain a minimum graduate program-specific GPA of 2.5 or higher to receive a graduate degree or certificate. Graduate students must earn a grade of B (3.0) or higher in all courses in the student's concentration component area and in the identified capstone course for each program. In the MBA program, the required B or higher grade is needed in the capstone course, and all concentration courses, in the instance where the student has elected to complete a concentration. If a concentration is not elected then a B or higher is only needed in the capstone course. Additionally, graduate students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or higher in all assigned undergraduate prerequisite courses.

Graduate Degree Conferral Requirements

Graduate Degree
A student's degree conferral status will be reviewed when the student is nearing the completion of their graduate program academic requirements. For most graduate degree students, this will be when they enroll in their capstone course, which by design is meant to be taken as the last or next-to-last course.

A mandatory, non-refundable Final Academic Requirements Evaluation Fee will be assessed to the student when they enroll in their capstone course, or if a capstone course does not exist, the comparable last or next to last course.

Degrees are conferred at the end of each term and only after evaluation and approval of all program requirements. Except as noted below, the following general requirements must be met in order to be evaluated for conferral:

1. Students in a 12-course master's degree program must complete 54 quarter credit hours in the program at the graduate level (500 series or higher). Students enrolled in a 10-course master's degree program must complete 45 quarter credit hours in the program at the graduate level (500 series or higher).
2. Students must complete coursework with a minimum graduate program-specific GPA of 2.5.
3. Students in a 12-course master's degree program must complete a minimum of 36 quarter credit hours in the program at the university. Students in a 10-course master's degree program must complete a minimum of 31.5 quarter credit hours in the program at the university.
4. Students must meet specified graduation requirements, including the quarter credit hour and course requirements within the degree program. Final responsibility for meeting graduation requirements lies with the student.
5. Complete with a grade of B (3.0) or higher, or P, all courses in the student’s concentration component area (including students in a 10-course master's program that includes a concentration area) or the graduate elective course.
6. Complete with a grade of B (3.0) or higher, the identified capstone course (or its equivalent, such as BUS 599) for each program.
7. Complete with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or P, all assigned prerequisite courses.
8. Graduate course work must be successfully completed within ten years from initial term of attendance. This includes both course work taken at Strayer and course work taken elsewhere and transferred in.

JWMI Degree
A student's degree conferral status will be reviewed when they are nearing the completion of their graduate program academic requirements. For most graduate degree students, this will be when they enroll in their capstone course, which by design is meant to be taken as the last or next-to-last course.

Degrees are conferred at the end of each term and only after evaluation and approval of all program requirements. Except as noted below, the following general requirements must be met in order to be evaluated for conferral:

1. Students must complete all 12 required courses for a total of 54 quarter credit hours of course work in the program at the graduate level (500 series or higher).
2. Students must complete course work with a minimum graduate program-specific grade point average of 2.5.
3. Students must complete a minimum of 36 quarter credit hours of course work in the program at the university.
4. The following courses must be completed in residence and are not eligible for transfer credit: JWI510, JWI552, JWI554, JWI557, JWI581, JWI595, JWI596, and JWI597.
5. Students must meet specified graduation requirements, including the quarter credit hour and course requirements within the degree program. Final responsibility for meeting graduation requirements lies with the student.
6. Complete with a grade of LP (2.5) or higher all courses in the student's concentration component area.
7. Complete with a grade of LP (2.5) or higher the identified capstone course for each program.
8. Complete with a grade of LP (2.5) or higher all assigned prerequisite courses.
9. All course work must be successfully completed within 10 years from initial term of attendance. This includes both course work taken at JWMI and course work taken elsewhere and transferred in.

Master of Fine Arts in Screen Scoring & Music Design
A student's degree conferral status will be reviewed when the student is nearing the completion of their graduate program academic requirements. Degrees are conferred only after evaluation and approval by Strayer University.

A mandatory, non-refundable Final Academic Requirements Evaluation Fee will be assessed to the student when they enroll in their capstone course.

Degrees are conferred at the end of each term and only after evaluation and approval of all program requirements. Except as noted below, the following general requirements must be met in order to be evaluated for conferral:

1. Students must complete a minimum of 82 quarter credit hours of course work in the program at the graduate level (500 series or higher) with a minimum graduate cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
2. Students must complete the full 82 quarter credit hours of course work in the program at the University; transfer credit is not allowed.
3. Students must meet specified graduation requirements, including the credit hour and course requirements within the degree program.
4. Complete with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher all courses in the program except for the capstone course which requires a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher.
5. Course work must be successfully completed within ten years from initial term of attendance.
6. Final responsibility for meeting graduation requirements lies with the student.

Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate
Requests for post-baccalaureate graduate certificate evaluation should be submitted to the Records office. Certificates are conferred only after evaluation and approval of all program requirements. The following general requirements must be met in order to be evaluated for conferral:

1. Students must complete a minimum of 13.5 quarter credit hours of course work in the program at the graduate level (500 series or higher), per the specified curriculum, with a minimum program-specific grade point average of 2.5.
2. Students must complete a minimum of 9 quarter credit hours in the program at the university. All course work must be completed within five years from initial term of attendance. This includes both course work taken at Strayer and course work taken elsewhere and transferred in. All graduate degree and certificate program students must abide by all university rules, regulations, and requirements as stated in the University Catalog, Student Handbook, and other university publications.
3. For Strayer graduate certificate programs, complete all courses with a grade of “C” or higher. *

The Final Academic Requirements Evaluation Fee is not assessed for graduate certificate students. Certificate candidates do not participate in commencement ceremonies.

*While a grade of “C” or higher is sufficient for a graduate certificate program, a grade of “B” or higher is required for a graduate degree program. If a student subsequently enrolls in a graduate degree program and earned a “C” in a certificate program, the course(s) will not apply to the concentration area in the graduate degree and will either need to be retaken or another course must be substituted.

Graduate Honors Citation
Students in a master's degree program who earn a certain GPA at the time of graduation will receive one of the following honors citations on their diploma:

• Graduate students in a master's degree program with a cumulative GPA of 3.9 to 3.94 at the completion of their degree requirements will receive the designation of “Graduate with Distinction.”
• Graduate students in a master's degree program with a cumulative GPA of 3.95 to 4.0 will receive the designation of “Graduate with High Distinction.”
• JWMI students in the top 10% of their graduating class will be recognized as Welch Scholars.
• JWMI students with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher at the completion of their degree requirements will receive the designation, "Graduation with Distinction".

Graduate honors citations do not apply to graduate certificate programs.

JWMI students who are found by the Office of Student Affairs to have committed an academic integrity violation will no longer be eligible to be a Welch Scholar or for the Graduation with Distinction designation.

Commencement Ceremonies

Associate, bachelor’s and master’s students are eligible to participate in a commencement ceremony if they are within two courses of completing their degree program at the time of the ceremony. Students interested in participating in a commencement ceremony must register online. Students are responsible to purchase their cap and gown through the university's approved vendor.

Students who would like to participate in a commencement ceremony should visit commencement.strayer.edu to view the commencement schedule with important dates and deadlines, register for commencement, and order their cap and gown.

Diplomas are not provided at commencement. Commencement is a ceremony and the student’s diploma will not be issued until after all their degree requirements have been completed and the Registrar's Office evaluation and approval is complete. A review of the student’s academic record will be completed by Strayer University in their final term of enrollment. The $150 Final Academic Requirements Evaluation Fee will be applied to the student’s account when they register for their capstone course.