Graduation

Standards for Graduation

Students are eligible for the bachelor’s or associate degree upon successful completion of general education, the major requirements 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.

Graduation Honors

To be eligible for graduation honors, you must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours of quality point-bearing credit at Western. No pass/fail credits or transfer credits are included in this minimum. Graduation honors standards are based on your cumulative grade point average 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

December graduates are identified after that term and May candidates are considered at the conclusion of the January intersession semester preceding graduation. Students who have earned a minimum of 30 credits toward their graduation requirements in residence at Western Connecticut State University with a cumulative earned GPA of at least 3.5 are considered to be Graduation Honors candidates eligible for recognition at the May Commencement. Candidacy for May Graduation Honors does not guarantee the award of Graduation Honors upon completion of degree requirements.

Graduation honors, which appear on the transcript and diploma, will be awarded only to students who complete their graduation requirements with a minimum of 30 credits in residence at Western Connecticut State University and who have a cumulative earned grade point average of at least 3.5. The residency requirement for honors may not be waived. Students with questions regarding academic honors should consult the academic dean of their major.

Application for Graduation

Degrees are awarded at the end of each semester and summer session.  Students must apply for graduation for the semester that they anticipate completing their final degree requirements.  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.

You may access the 2025-2026 Application for Graduation here.

• • Deadline for December 2025 and January 2026 graduation:  8/1/2025
  • Deadline for May 2026 graduation:  11/1/2025
  • Deadline for August 2026 graduation: 2/1/2026

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 here.  Additional copies of diplomas will be marked as duplicate copies and will bear the signatures of the current administration.  Alumni who graduated May 2025 or later may request a duplicate diploma by logging into Parchment.

Commencement Exercises

All candidates for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Associate in Science degrees are expected to attend the commencement exercises, held in May.

Western Connecticut State University holds a Commencement ceremony each May.  Students earning a degree in the current academic year will be invited to participate in the annual commencement ceremony.  This includes students who most recently completed the degree requirements in fall or winter terms, and students who will be completing remaining degree requirements in the upcoming spring or summer term.  Students who apply for August graduation participate in the preceding May commencement ceremony, provided their initial audit for graduation determines their potential for completing graduation requirements.  Students earning their degrees in December and January participate in the following May commencement ceremony.

In the case of extraordinary circumstances, students may appeal this policy with the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs.  The student may be required to provide supporting documentation in making such an appeal.  The decision of Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs is final.

Please note that participation in the Commencement Ceremony does not guarantee awarding of a degree.  Students must still complete all outstanding requirements in order to be awarded the degree.