Awarding Posthumous Degrees (Policy 4110)

University Policy 4110

Download a Printable Version of Policy 4110

Effective Date

February 2003

Last Revision Date

November 2015

Responsible Party

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, (208) 426-1202

Scope and Audience

This policy applies to all degrees awarded posthumously.

1. Policy Purpose

To establish University policy for the awarding of degrees posthumously.

2. Policy Statement

In the instance of a student’s death prior to degree completion, it is important that the university recognize the effort made toward degree achievement. This policy provides the criteria necessary for the awarding of degrees or certificates of recognition posthumously.

3. Responsibilities and Procedures

3.1 Undergraduate Degree Guidelines

Posthumous degrees may be awarded to deceased undergraduate students who have completed all but sixteen (16) credit hours of the requirements for graduation and have been enrolled as a student within the past two regular semesters. The remaining sixteen (16) credit hours would complete their degree requirements and meet all university, college, and department GPA requirements. The appropriate degree may be awarded posthumously on the recommendations of the deceased student’s academic department with the approval by the dean of the deceased student’s college and the university president. The deceased student’s transcript will show a notation that the degree was awarded posthumously.

3.2 Graduate Degree Guidelines

Posthumous degrees may be awarded to deceased graduate students who have completed all but nine (9) hours of the required course work for graduation and have been enrolled as a student within the past two regular semesters. The remaining nine (9) credit hours would complete their degree requirements and meet all university, college, and department GPA requirements. The appropriate degree may be awarded posthumously on the recommendations of the deceased student’s academic department with the approval of the dean of the deceased student’s college and the university president. For all degrees, the deceased student’s advisor or advisory committee must certify that it believes that all requirements for the degree would have been completed by the anticipated graduation date under normal circumstances. The deceased student’s transcript will show a notation that the degree was awarded posthumously.

3.3 Certificate of Recognition Guidelines

In cases where it is determined that either an undergraduate or graduate student did not meet the above requirements for a degree, a “posthumous certificate of recognition” may be awarded, if appropriate, by the Registrar’s Office. The certificate recognizes a student’s progress toward the attainment of a degree. The certificate will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Revision History