The 128th DSU May Commencement

Graduation Requirements

Courses and Credits

The minimum number of semester hours required for graduation is one hundred and twenty (120). This number varies with many of the major programs. Candidates must satisfactorily complete the requirements of the major study area in which they are enrolled to be eligible for graduation.

A candidate for the baccalaureate degree must complete the last thirty (30) semester hours of credits at Delaware State University. However, a student may enroll in six to eight (6-8) hours of courses at another institution upon approval of the department chairperson and the academic dean.

Students who transfer from other institutions must earn a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours at Delaware State University.

Degree Audits

All degree audits must be done through your academic advisor and sent to the Records & Registration Office by the published deadlines.

Grades and Grade Point Averages (GPA)

To qualify for graduation, the following grades and grade point averages must be earned by the candidate:

A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 (“C”)
A minimum grade of 2.00 ("C") in each course in a field of specialization
A minimum of 2.00 (“C”) GPA for the last thirty (30) semester hours of work at the University
No student may graduate with any incomplete (“I”) or “In Progress” grades on his/her transcript

Double Degrees

A student can be awarded two (2) degrees at the same time only if the degrees are different (e.g., Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees). If a student is pursuing two (2) fields of study for which the same degree is awarded, then only one (1) diploma will be granted, but both fields of study will be listed on the diploma. To be eligible for a second degree: 1) course work must be taken in two fields of study and 2) the student must satisfy the curriculum requirements of both departments.

A student returning to Delaware State University for a second degree or major must officially declare a major in the second area and need only satisfy the additional requirements for the second major in order for the second baccalaureate degree to be conferred.

Diplomas are ordered by degree. One diploma will be ordered for each degree earned and will not be issued to a candidate who has not satisfied all financial obligations to the institution, including loan programs administered by the University.

Graduation with Honors

Honors are awarded to graduation candidates who have attended the University for at least three years (90 semester hours) and have met the following criteria:

SUMMA CUM LAUDE for a scholastic average of 3.75 or above
MAGNA CUM LAUDE for a scholastic average of 3.50 to 3.74
CUM LAUDE for a scholastic average of 3.25 to 3.49
HONORABLE MENTION for transfer students
(Honorable mention is awarded to transfer students if they complete the last two years of academic work toward graduation (60 semester hours) at Delaware State University with a minimum GPA of 3.50.)

Application for Graduation

All prospective graduates should have filed an application for graduation in the Office of Registration and Records by October 15 for December and by
February 3 for May. There is no guarantee that diplomas or regalia will be available for the graduation exercise for those students who apply after the deadline.

Students who have met degree requirements are eligible for graduation at the close of any semester. Degrees are awarded on the students’ transcripts upon completion of all requirements with the actual award date (December 15th for the Fall, May 15th for the Spring and August 15th for the Summer).

Degrees are conferred three times a year and qualified students can participate in the University’s Commencement Exercises in May and December. August graduates are eligible to receive their diplomas on the actual award date and are eligible to participate in the following fall or spring graduation exercise.

Exit Interview

It is mandatory that all graduates who have been awarded Title IV Loans (Perkins Loans, Signature Loans, Stafford Loans, Student Nursing Loans and Unsubsidized Loans) complete an exit interview.
The exit interview can be completed by following the steps below:

Log on to: www.NSLDS.ed.gov

Click on “Exit Counseling”
Fill in ALL fields with appropriate information and click “Submit”
Answer all accompanying questions and click "Continue"

NOTE: If a score of 100% is not received, you will not be able to participate in the commencement exercises.

If you have received a Federal Perkins or Nursing Loan, you will receive an exit packet from Campus Partners at a later date.

To secure a copy of your debt summary, log on to: www.mycampusloan.com

If your graduation date is incorrect, forward an email to: lthompson@desu.edu listing your expected graduation date.

An exit interview hold will be placed on your account and all University services will be withheld including release of transcripts and diploma if the exit interview process is not completed by November 15--(December Commencement) and April 15 for May Commencement.

Commencement Participation Eligibility

Students may participate in Commencement in May if they have satisfied the following conditions

Filed the application for graduation by October 15;
Enrolled in and successfully completed all academic requirements for graduation prior to graduation;
Satisfied all financial obligations to the University;
Completed the Exit Interview.
Completed the Graduate Exit Survey online.

* Questions

For all questions pertaining to graduation requirements (except the Exit Interview), contact the Office of the Records and Registration at 302.857.6375, Administration Building, 1st floor. For questions concerning the Exit Interview and financial information, contact the Office of Student Accounts at 302.857.6240, also located in the Administration Building, 1st floor.