Graduation
ARE YOU READY TO GRADUATE?
Programs And Degree Works
Each student and his/her major department advisor should follow a program that is a checklist of the requirements needed to earn a degree in one’s major. You should follow the program that was in effect the semester that you were accepted into your major. All majors require a minimum of 120 credits. An electronic degree audit can be found in your Banner Web account by clicking the Degree Works for Students link. Every semester, you and your advisor should review the program based on the work you successfully completed in the previous semester. This will allow you to keep track of what courses you have yet to take to earn your degree, and help your advisor to assist you in scheduling sequenced or irregularly offered major courses.
Standards for Graduation
Students are eligible for the Bachelor’s or Associate degree upon successful completion of all program and total credit requirements for that degree as specified in the appropriate section of this catalog. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher for all credits attempted at Western is required for graduation, as well as a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses for the major. Certain programs have a higher minimum standard. In addition, at least 30 credits and at least half of the major requirements must be completed at Western.
Note: that two components constitute a major in the Ancell School: the business core and the specialization, e.g., accounting, finance. All B.B.A. candidates must complete at least half of the total number of credits that comprise the business core and the specialization and at least half of their specialization at Western. Some programs require meeting additional and/or higher academic standards as noted in the appropriate catalog section.
Applying For Graduation
Degrees are awarded at the end of each semester as well as Intersession and summer session.
Forms including the application for graduation can be found using this link.
Students must apply for graduation for the semester that they anticipate completing their final degree requirements. Graduation Applications must be filed with the Registrar’s Office.
Degree Application Deadlines:
| Graduation Date | Application Deadline |
| May | November 1 |
| August | February 1 |
| December | August 1 |
| January (Intersession) | August 1 |
Graduation Honors
To be eligible for graduation honors, you must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours of quality point-bearing credit at WestConn. No pass/fail credits or transfer credits are included in this minimum. Graduation honors standards are based on your cumulative grade point average at the time of your last semester and are awarded as follows:
| *Summa Cum Laude | 3.9 to 4.0 |
| *Magna Cum Laude | 3.7 to 3.89 |
| *Cum Laude | 3.5 to 3.69 |
Students who have earned a minimum of 30 credits in residence at Western Connecticut State University with a cumulative earned GPA of at least 3.50 at the end of their final semester will receive an Honors Certificate upon graduation. The residency requirement for honors may not be waived. Students with questions regarding academic honors should consult the Academic Dean of their major.
Honors Cords
December and January graduates and May candidates for graduation honors are identified at the conclusion of the Intersession semester preceding graduation and will be eligible to be awarded Honors Cords to be worn during the graduation ceremony. Students must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 by Intersession and 30 credits earned at WCSU by May. Candidacy for May graduation honors does not guarantee the award of graduation honors upon completion of degree requirements.
Replacement Diplomas
A replacement Diploma fee of $25.00 is required. Please make check or money order payable to Western Connecticut State University. You may access the Replacement Diploma form at /registrar/Replacement-Diploma-Request.pdf
Commencement
Any student who has filed a graduation application for Spring or Summer, and whose Spring degree evaluation confirms that the student is registered to complete all degree requirements by the end of the semester that they filed the application for, will be allowed to participate in the May commencement ceremony. Any student who has filed a graduation application for Fall or Winter Intersession will participate in the following May commencement ceremony. More information can be found at https://www.wcsu.edu/commencement/