Graduate & Continuing Studies Undergraduate Catalog 2011-12

Degree, Residency & Graduation Requirements

Degree Requirements :: Academic Plans :: Residency Requirements :: Graduation


Degree Requirements
Associate of Arts Degree
All degree-seeking students are admitted to Stephens College Graduate & Continuing Studies as Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree candidates. However, students may earn an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree. The Associate of Arts degree signifies completion of a two-year academic program, primarily in the liberal arts. The Associate of Arts degree may be conferred in December, May or August.

An A.A. student will:

1. Complete a minimum of 24 semester hours at Stephens College plus the Online Orientation Session. A total of 60 hours is required for the A.A. degree.
2. Achieve a cumulative 2.0 grade point average after entering Stephens College.
3. Complete the lower-division Liberal Arts Sequence (all LBA courses excluding PHL 350:  Global Ethics.  See Liberal Arts Program for details).

Bachelor of Science Degree
To receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, the candidate must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours. This requirement will not be waived. It should be noted that after meeting the degree requirements of Stephens College, students with transfer credit from other institutions may have more than 120 semester hours upon graduation.

As part of the required 120 semester hours, the degree-seeking candidate will:

• Complete a minimum of 36 semester hours with Stephens College.  Prior learning credit and challenge courses do not count as courses at Stephens College.
•  Complete a minimum of 36 upper level semester hours (300 level or above).

3. Achieve and maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average in all courses taken after entering Stephens College. Some majors may require a higher grade point average in courses taken in the major.
4. Complete the Liberal Arts Sequence of 30 semester hours. The Liberal Arts Sequence reflects a strong regard at Stephens College for the value of depth and breadth in the liberal arts. Study in the liberal arts enhances the education of students so they are better informed citizens upon graduation.

A bachelor of science major includes at least 45 specified semester hours, of which at least 15 must be at or above the 300 level. As many as 66 semester hours may be required in the major, including those specified in the prefix of the major and those specified in other prefixes. Students may elect additional courses in the prefix of the major, up to the limit of 66 hours in a 120 hour degree program. Some majors require liberal arts hours, as listed under the requirements for the major. Some courses that count as liberal arts courses may not count in the major. The last 15 semester hours of credit in all degree programs must be earned through Stephens College.

Majors available for the Bachelor of Science degree include Health Information Administration.

Academic Plans
Students plan their degree programs in accordance with the catalog of the year they enter Stephens College. Students are responsible for insuring they will fulfill all degree requirements by the date they plan to graduate.
The academic plan is the student's guide in selecting and completing course work and will be the official communication from Stephens College regarding the student's plan for a degree. All requests for changes in the academic plan must have written approval. The student is responsible for insuring that academic plans and any revisions will meet the degree requirements in effect for the student's graduation.
Students are expected to progress through their academic plan and earn their degree in a reasonable amount of time. The time allowed for completion of a bachelor's degree program, under the catalog in which a student enters will depend on the number of semester hours the student transfers in:
0-24 semester hours 10 years
25-48 semester hours 8 years
49-72 semester hours 6 years
73+ semester hours 4 years
Post-baccalaureate certificate students are expected to complete the program within 4 years, regardless of entering semester hours.
These time limits are based on students being enrolled and completing 12 semester hours per year. Exceptions to these limits will require a petition submitted by the student. Petitions must be approved by the student's advisor or department chair and the Registrar. Students who do not complete their degree in the allowed timeframe will need to re-apply and be subject to current degree requirements and catalog policies.
Residency Requirement
To earn a degree from Stephens College, students must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours with Stephens College.  Students are also required to complete an on-campus component outlined by the specific degree program.

Graduation
Application for Degrees and Certificates

Students intending to graduate or receive a certificate must submit an Application for Degree form to their Academic Advisor at least six months in advance of the proposed graduation date.
The Application for Degree form is available on the Graduate & Continuing webpage under Information and Resources. 
The Academic Advisor, Program Chair, and the Registrar will evaluate each student's transcript to ensure that degree requirements have been met. The student will receive a copy of the evaluation. The Registrar must certify that all degree requirements have been met prior to the time the student receives the degree. Students will receive their diplomas approximately twelve weeks after graduation. All outstanding accounts must be paid prior to diplomas being mailed.
Changes in Graduation Plans
All changes in graduation plans should be reported in writing to the student’s academic advisor. Outstanding assignments must be received by the instructor prior to midnight preceding graduation day. Failure to complete assignments and meet degree requirements will require the student to submit another Application for Degree form to their Academic Advisor in the Graduate & Continuing Studies office.
Graduation with Honors
Eligibility to graduate with honors is based upon criteria adopted by the faculty of Stephens College.

Undergraduate students who have earned 60 hours of graded credit from Stephens College and meet degree requirements are eligible for Latin Honors.  

• Summa Cum Laude - 3.90 to 4.00
• Magna Cum Laude - 3.80 to 3.89
• Cum Laude  - 3.70 to 3.79

Graduation “With Honors” is available to undergraduate students completing between 36 and 59 graded credit hours at Stephens College and meeting degree requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or above.   

This policy applies to both residential and continuing studies undergraduate students.

Degree candidates who have the requisite GPA in the semester prior to graduation will be nominated for graduation honors.  Actual honors are determined after final grades are recorded and it is ascertained that requirements have been met.   Graduation honors are noted on the diploma and official transcript.
Commencement
Commencement is held in May and December of each academic year. Students who file a plan with the Registrar that enables them to graduate in August may participate in the previous May Commencement. Students will be assessed a graduation fee regardless of participation in the ceremony.