Graduation

Graduation Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that all requirements for their degree program are completed prior to graduation. Degrees are awarded three times each year (August, January, and May), with official graduation dates published in the Academic Calendar. Students intending to graduate should apply for graduation no more than three semesters prior to their anticipated graduation term.

To be eligible for degree conferral, students must:

• Successfully complete all degree, major, concentration, minor, and program requirements as prescribed by the applicable catalog.
• Earn the minimum cumulative and/or program GPA required for the degree.
• Resolve any incomplete grades or other outstanding academic requirements.
• Submit the "Apply to Graduate" form through Self-Service IU (SSIU) prior to the graduation application deadline published on the Academic Calendar.
• Satisfy all financial obligations to the University.

Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor regarding degree requirements and the graduation application process. Submission of an application for graduation does not guarantee degree conferral. The University will conduct a final review of each student's academic record to verify completion of all degree requirements and confirm that all financial obligations to the University have been satisfied. Students who have not met all academic requirements or who have outstanding financial obligations will not be eligible to have their degree awarded or participate in commencement activities until those requirements and obligations have been satisfied.

Commencement

Immaculata University holds its annual commencement ceremonies at the end of each spring semester. Students approved to graduate are strongly encouraged to participate in commencement for the conferring of the degree.

All August, January and May graduates are invited to participate in the Commencement exercises and are listed in the Commencement ceremony booklet.

Commencement Walking Policy

Students who have not fulfilled all graduation requirements by the time of the commencement ceremony may still be eligible to participate ("walk") under the following conditions:

1. Have no more than two remaining courses (maximum of 8 credits) needed to complete their degree requirements.
2. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.*
   *(Students in majors requiring higher grade point averages must meet minimum requirements of the program.)
3. Complete and submit a Petition to Participate in Commencement Ceremonies form. This petition must include a detailed plan outlining how and when student will complete all remaining degree requirements.

Approval to participate in the ceremony does not imply degree conferral, which will occur only upon successful completion of all academic requirements.

Students may not participate in commencement if they have any outstanding balances.

Names of both walkers and graduates will be printed in the commencement program, and there will be no asterisk or special notation in the program differentiating walkers from actual graduates of the University. “Walkers” do not receive public or printed recognition of honors (cum laude, etc.) in the commencement program.

All graduation requirements and all financial obligations must be satisfied in order to receive the diploma. Degree will be conferred and officially awarded only after all graduation requirements have been met.

A student may participate in only one commencement ceremony. If, after declaring an intention to walk, a student does not participate in the ceremony and fails to notify the Office of the University Registrar at least four days prior to the commencement date, that student is ineligible to participate in any subsequent commencement ceremony.

Posthumous Conferral of Degrees

On rare occasions, a student who has completed all or nearly all of the requirements for a degree meets an untimely death before the degree is conferred. In such cases, it may be appropriate for this student to be recognized for his/her work by means of conferring a degree posthumously.

With the support of the academic department and the family of the student, the student’s college dean or the VPAA initiates a request. Undergraduate students who were determined to be in good academic standing by college dean/VPAA and who were within a semester of completing their studies (usually 18 credits or less) may be recommended for a posthumous degree. Other forms of recognition may be available for students who do not meet the requirements for the awarding of a posthumous degree. The college dean/VPAA will provide a recommendation along with a verification of the student’s academic standing and degree progress. Petitions shall be forwarded to the VPAA and dean for review and recommendation, then to the President for approval.

If approved, the President will notify the VPAA and dean. The official commencement program will include the student’s name with the annotation that the degree was conferred posthumously. The student’s academic record will be similarly annotated.

Immaculata Alumni

Upon completing their first degree from Immaculata, all University graduates are inducted into the Immaculata University Alumni Association (IUAA). The IUAA’s purpose is to serve and promote the mutual interests of Immaculata University and its alumni in collaboration with the Offices of Alumni Relations and Institutional Advancement. In support of the University’s mission, the IUAA provides opportunities to create meaningful relationships with alumni and the Immaculata community through ongoing commitment, communication, and connection. Through these opportunities, the IUAA’s Board of Governors seeks to create a fully engaged alumni community. The Immaculata University Alumni Association has over 19,000 members in 30 countries.