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When a student has completed all degree requirements but dies before graduation, the University may award the degree posthumously. 

In those instances when a student who is close to completing a degree is terminally ill or dies before completing the degree, the University may award a Certificate of Recognition. The following criteria must be met for receiving the Certificate of Recognition. Any exceptions must be approved by the Provost. 

1. The student must have completed at least 90 hours of college credit with at least 30 hours at Â鶹´«Ã½. 
2. The student must have completed 75% of the credit hours required for the major. 
3. The student must be in good academic (2.00 GPA) and disciplinary standing. 
4. The student must be enrolled at Â鶹´«Ã½ at the time of death or diagnosis of terminal illness. 

1. The student must be degree seeking. 
2. The student must have completed at least 75% of the requirements for the degree (for the master's student this will be a minimum of 24 credits; for the doctoral student this will be a minimum of 36 credits). 
3. The student must be in good academic (3.00 GPA) and disciplinary standing. 
4. The student must be enrolled at Â鶹´«Ã½ at the time of death or diagnosis of terminal illness. 

In those instances when a student is terminally ill or dies before completing the degree but does not qualify for a Certificate of Recognition, the university may award a Certificate of Achievement. The following criteria must be met for receiving the Certificate of Achievement. Any exceptions must be approved by the Provost. 

1. The student must be in good academic (2.00 undergraduate/3.00 graduate) and disciplinary standing. 
2. The student must have completed the equivalent of two semesters of full-time (24 credits undergraduate/18 credits graduate) at Â鶹´«Ã½. 
3. The student must have died or been diagnosed with a terminal illness within 12 months of the last registration. 

Procedures for the award of a posthumous degree, Certificate of Achievement, or Certificate of Recognition are as follows: 

1. The University Registrar normally identifies the student for the degree or certificate and contacts the student’s academic department to recommend review. 
2. After review and confirmation that the criteria for the degree or certificate have been met, the department chair forwards the recommendation for the degree or certificate to the dean or designee for approval. 
3. On behalf of the faculty, the dean of the appropriate college recommends the award of the degree or certificate to the University Registrar, who conducts the final review. 
4. The University Registrar notifies the Dean of Students or designee that the award will be printed by the Office of the University Registrar and forwarded to the Dean of Students. 
   
   1. In consultation with the appropriate college, the Dean of Students will communicate with the next of kin or their delegate concerning the award of the degree or certification. Arrangements for presentation of a posthumous degree or certificate are the responsibility of the Dean of Students or designee in conjunction with staff from the appropriate college and in consultation with the next of kin or their delegate. 
5. If the dean believes an exception to the requirements for a posthumous degree or certificate should be made, a request for exception can be made to the Provost or designee.