University Undergraduate Advising Handbook

At the start of the semester in which a student expects to complete the degree requirements listed below, he/she should follow graduation procedures.

1. A student must satisfy all University degree requirements (such as General Education, First-Year Seminar, Intercultural and International Competence or United States and International Cultures, Writing Across the Curriculum) that were in effect when the student first scheduled a class after his/her admission or most recent re-entry as a degree candidate (see Re-enrollment). Requirements for a program (such as major, minor, option, honors) are those in effect at the time the student most recently entered that program.

   The student's degree audit provides a summary of the student's progress toward meeting the requirements of his/her degree program. The audit indicates the graduation requirements that have been completed as well as those requirements that still must be satisfied. (See sample degree audit.)

   Procedures for deviating from program requirements are in the section on Course Substitution.

2. A degree candidate must earn at least 36 of the last 60 credits of a program in courses offered by the University or in approved cooperative programs established by the University Faculty Senate.

3. The last 60 credits required for a candidate's first baccalaureate degree must be earned within five calendar years. An extension of time is granted for intervening military service.

4. If a student is enrolled in a World Campus course during the semester/session in which he/she plans to graduate, the student should notify both his/her World Campus instructor and the World Campus records staff (wdrecords@outreach.psu.edu) that he/she intends to graduate in order to ensure that final papers and exams are graded and the semester grade is assigned prior to the graduation deadline in the student's academic college.

5. If a student takes course(s) at another institution prior to graduating, the grades and credits earned must be received by Undergraduate Admissions, 201 Shields Building, Box 3000, University Park, PA 16802, before commencement.

6. Cumulative grade-point average must be at least a C (2.00) or better.

7. A student must earn at least a C grade in each course designated as a C-required course in his/her major.

Note: Unless otherwise specified, the appropriate dean of the college in which a candidate is enrolled may make exceptions to requirements for graduation, subject to the review of the faculty of the college.

The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult a Penn State academic adviser for more detailed information.

This page is part of the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook, which is maintained by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, DUS@psu.edu.

Reviewed: May 2008
Last Update: October 2007