Degree Requirements, Academic Awards

GRADUATION

Degrees are conferred three times per year, in December, May, and August. Attendance at Commencement ceremonies, which are held in December and in May, is highly recommended, since graduation is such an important and joyous occasion in the life of academic institutions. An undergraduate student is eligible to participate in the May ceremony if all requirements are expected to be completed in May or August of the same year. An undergraduate student is eligible to participate in the December ceremony if all requirements are expected to be complete in December of that year. Prospective graduates must complete an application for graduation by November 15 for May or August graduation and by May 31 for December graduation. The application, which is available in the offices of the Dean, Registrar, Center for Adult Learning and on self-service, must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Prior to the deadlines, the Dean will audit the student’s record to determine eligibility for graduation on the date indicated, and will supply a copy of the audit to the student. No application will be accepted without the Dean’s verification of eligibility. If the application is completed by the appropriate deadline, the graduation fee will appear on the fall bill for December graduates and on the spring bill for May and August graduates. Failure to apply for graduation by the appropriate deadline may result in the loss of such privileges as participation in the ceremony, senior awards, and name listed in the commencement program. Payment of the graduation fee must accompany late applications. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for graduation at the appropriate time and to meet all requirements for graduation.

Bachelor Degree Requirements

The following list indicates minimum University requirements for the baccalaureate degree. Please note that some programs specify additional requirements beyond these minimums. See descriptions of individual programs for any additional requirements. 1. At least 120 hours of academic work must be completed by the student, with an overall quality point average of not less than 2.0. Courses numbered below 100 are not used to meet the requirement. 2. The specific course requirements must be fulfilled as stipulated in each academic program.

A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in the field of concentration is required.

A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is also required for a successful completion of the minor. 3. At least two thirds of the upper level courses in the field of concentration, including required seminars, and the final thirty credit hours of degree requirements, must be taken at Gannon University. Exceptions to these specific requirements have been granted to students who are enrolled in approved accelerated programs. Other students with special circumstances may request a waiver of these degree requirements, with the approval of the

Academic Dean and Provost of Gannon University. 4. All courses specified for the fulfillment of requirements for the field of concentration and cognate fields must be completed within a time span not to exceed ten years. 5. A course failed in the field of concentration may be repeated once. If not successfully passed, the student is not permitted to continue in that field of concentration.

6. A student is not permitted to continue in a field of concentration in which ten or more semester hours have been failed, or in which more than six semester hours have been failed in one semester.

Dean’s List

To honor excellence in academic performance, Gannon University names to the Dean’s List

students who have completed 12 credits or more with a letter grade for each and a grade

point average of 3.50 or higher for the semester. A student who makes a failing grade is disqualified in that semester for the Dean’s List. Dean’s list is not awarded to a student with an incomplete grade.

Academic Honors

Students who have consistently achieved academic distinction receive the following graduation honors: Cum Laude — a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50. Magna cum Laude — a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.70. Summa cum Laude — a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.90. With Academic Honors — Associate Degree students with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50. No student with a failing grade in his/her field of concentration will receive honors at the time of graduation. Transfer students to be eligible for honors at graduation must have completed 64 semester hours (32 semester hours for Associate degree majors) at Gannon University. Their average will be computed on the basis of their four or two year program. No higher honors will be given than are earned by the semester hours completed at Gannon University.

Senior Awards

Notable accomplishment of all-inclusive nature or in a specific field is recognized by the following awards: The Gannon University Medal of Honor Presented to the graduating Senior who in the opinion of the faculty and the student’s own classmates has done the most to further the interests of the University, to foster loyal college spirit, and to carry out the ideals of the Christian life. The Archbishop John Mark Gannon Award For general scholastic excellence including transfer courses.

Individual Achievement Awards: The Monsignor Wilfrid J. Nash Award For Excellence in Christian Service The Reverend Charles Drexler Award For Outstanding Leadership in Faith, Worship, Community, and Service The Doc Beyer Award For Outstanding Achievement in Scholarship and Athletics The Joe Luckey Award For Dedication to the University The Educational Opportunity Program Award

Academic Awards for Excellence may also be awarded in each of the undergraduate disciplines.