A graduate degree is awarded to students who satisfy all University degree requirements and all requirements established by each degree program. Please see General Requirements below as well as specific degree requirements, which are set forth in the graduate program descriptions in this catalog.
The bachelor’s degree is awarded to students meeting the following requirements (or their equivalent in transferred credits in the case of transfer students):
Residency requirements: In order to participate in graduation ceremonies, a student must be receiving a degree. For the bachelor’s degrees, students must complete a minimum of 36 credits as a student at Marymount. NOTE: The total number of credits required to earn a degree varies by program. Please consult individual program sections in this catalog.
All master’s and doctoral degree students must complete at least 24 graduate credits at Marymount University. In programs with credit requirements greater than 36, graduate degree candidates must complete at least two-thirds of the total number of program credits at Marymount. (The total number of credits required for each degree is stated in the degree requirements section for each program.) Graduate students may transfer up to 12 credits, unless otherwise indicated.
Completion requirement: For an undergraduate degree, all coursework must be completed at Marymount University within 10 years of the date of matriculation. For a graduate degree or certificate, all coursework must be completed at Marymount University within 5 years of the date of matriculation.
Minimum grade point average (GPA): A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better must be obtained for the awarding of any undergraduate degree or certificate. This cumulative GPA applies to Marymount University coursework.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better must be obtained for the awarding of any graduate degree or post-baccalaureate or graduate certificate.
Course requirements: Marymount University requires successful completion of all Liberal Arts Core and major coursework associated with a student’s degree program. The requirements to be met are stated in the University catalog current at the time of the student’s initial matriculation. Transfer students must complete all courses noted on their transfer evaluation and program of study. This includes attaining minimum grades for courses as stipulated in other sections of this catalog.
A student who cannot fulfill the requirements of a major program successfully will be dismissed from the program. If the student is otherwise in good academic standing, the student may remain at the University by selecting another major program.
Documentation: All final documentation must be received by the Office of the Registrar prior to the deadline for submitting grades. Documentation includes such items as official transcripts, test scores, completion of Incompletes, and grade changes. A graduation petition must be received by the Office of the Registrar by the posted deadline.
Financial obligations: All financial obligations must be met prior to the University Commencement. These include parking fines, credit holds, tuition, etc.
Academic certification: Certification for graduation by a student’s dean and the registrar must be obtained prior to the University Commencement.
Degrees are conferred in May, August, and December. There is one formal Commencement ceremony in May.
A student must file a graduation petition form (available online or in the Registrar’s Office) before registering for the final semester. NOTE: The completion of a graduation petition does not guarantee that a student will graduate. A student’s degree audit will be completed by the School in which the student is matriculated once a student petitions to graduate. The degree audit will determine if a student is eligible to graduate.
A student who does not meet graduation requirements at the end of the semester in which a graduation petition was filed must file a new petition, pay relevant fees, and indicate the new anticipated graduation date.
Diplomas for May graduates are issued during the Commencement ceremonies provided the graduation petition has been submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the posted deadline. Diplomas for August and December graduates are mailed by the Registrar’s Office at the close of the summer and fall semester provided the graduation petition has been submitted in a timely manner. A $35 diploma fee is payable at submission of the graduation petition. Graduation petitions submitted after the posted deadline will be processed at the discretion of the University and are subject to a $150 late processing fee.
Students who submit the petition after the published deadline will not receive their diplomas at the close of the semester, may not graduate until the next graduation date, and — in the spring semester — may not be listed in the Commencement program. A student who submits a late petition may not be eligible to participate in Commencement exercises if a full audit of the student’s record cannot be processed to confirm eligibility.
Diplomas are mailed at no charge. Diplomas are withheld from students who have unsettled obligations to the University.
Students who participate in the Commencement with a projected date of completion in the summer following will not receive the diploma at Commencement; the diploma will be awarded only after all program requirements are completed.
Students who need to earn six credits or fewer during the summer semester to complete their degree requirements may participate in the May Commencement exercises if they meet both of the following conditions:
No exceptions or exemptions to these two conditions will be made or given.
Marymount conducts formal Commencement exercises each academic year in May.
Subject to the conditions set forth above for students completing degree requirements in the summer, students graduating at the completion of any other term are encouraged to participate in the subsequent Commencement exercise and should contact the Office of the Registrar for instructions.