Graduate With Distinction: University Of South Alabama's Honor

does graduate students graduate with distinction university of south alabama

The University of South Alabama offers over 50 graduate and professional degree programs. Students in good standing at other universities may enroll in the University of South Alabama's Graduate School, provided they have the written permission of the Dean. Graduate students at the University of South Alabama are expected to balance work, family, and careers. The University does not award graduate credit for prior portfolio-based experiential learning. Undergraduate students with at least 60 GPA hours and a grade point average of 3.50 or better are graduated with distinction. However, academic honors are not awarded for graduate degrees or professional degrees.

Characteristics Values
Posthumous degree May be awarded to a deceased graduate student near completion of their program
Academic honors Not awarded for graduate degrees or professional degrees
Graduation requirements Fulfill the requirements of a degree program as specified in the Bulletin in effect during the academic year of the student's first matriculation as a degree-seeking student
Application process Submit an application to the Registrar's Office at least one semester before the expected degree completion
Enrollment Students in good standing in the graduate school of other universities may enroll in the University of South Alabama's Graduate School
Transfer credit hours May be accepted from regionally accredited universities, but will not exceed two-thirds of the minimum hours required for the degree
Graduation with distinction Undergraduate students with at least 60 GPA hours in residence and a grade point average of 3.50 or better are graduated with distinction
Commencement ceremonies Held in Spring and Fall semesters; Summer candidates participate in Spring commencement except for doctoral candidates

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Undergraduate students with a 3.50 GPA or higher graduate with distinction

Undergraduate students at the University of South Alabama who attain a GPA of 3.50 or higher graduate cum laude, a Latin honour. This is a distinction that is included on their college transcript, and can also be added to their resume. This distinction is a good indicator of a strong work ethic and a comprehensive understanding of their field of study, which is impressive to many employers.

The University of South Alabama confers posthumous degrees to students who have passed away, provided they had senior academic status and were in good academic standing. Their family may receive the diploma in a regularly scheduled commencement ceremony or a private ceremony.

The exact requirements for graduating with distinction may vary across universities and colleges. For example, at the University of Minnesota, students need a GPA of 3.750 or higher to graduate with distinction. At Penn State, the distinction level is determined based on the final cumulative GPA in the semester in which the student's degree is conferred.

The top 20-30% of students or those with a GPA of 3.5-3.7 graduate cum laude. The next level of distinction is magna cum laude, which is typically awarded to the top 10-15% of students or those with a GPA of 3.8 to 3.9. The highest distinction, summa cum laude, is given to the top 1-5% of students or those with a GPA of 4.0 or above.

In some cases, students with a GPA just below the cutoff range for a certain distinction may still be considered for that level of honour based on exceptional thesis work.

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Requirements for graduation with distinction

At the University of South Alabama, graduation with distinction is only awarded to undergraduate students. Graduate students do not receive academic honors.

Undergraduate students at the University of South Alabama who meet the following requirements are eligible for graduation with distinction:

  • Complete at least 60 GPA hours in residence.
  • Achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher.

Students who meet these criteria will be graduated cum laude and will be eligible for Latin honors. The University of South Alabama Honors College also recognizes students who have completed all requirements with a GPA of 3.50 or higher at graduation.

Requirements for Graduation for Graduate Students

The University of South Alabama offers over 50 graduate and professional degree programs. Graduate students must apply for graduation during the semester preceding the semester of graduation. A thesis or dissertation is required for graduation, which must be an original research and/or creative project. The thesis or dissertation must demonstrate the student's ability to select a topic, delineate a problem, search for relevant literature, organize and analyze information, and present the results orally and in writing.

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Application process for graduation

At the University of South Alabama, students planning to graduate must submit an application for graduation with the Registrar's Office at least one semester before their expected degree completion. The specific dates for application are outlined in the University Calendar. A degree audit/official check sheet must be approved by the graduation clearance personnel in each college/school, with the approval of the chair of the major department and the academic dean.

Students should apply for the graduation term in which all of their degree requirements will be met. They can check their unofficial transcript on PAWS to verify that they have met the minimum requirements to apply for graduation. Students must also pay a $65 graduation application fee, which is charged to their student account. This fee is term-specific, non-refundable, and non-transferable.

For dual degree students, two applications must be completed, while double major students should complete only one application for their primary major. Students must select their graduation date from a drop-down list, indicating the term in which all degree requirements will be completed. They should also indicate whether they plan to attend the graduation ceremony.

If a student does not attend the University for a period of one calendar year or longer, they will be required to fulfill the requirements of the degree program as specified by the Bulletin in effect during the year of their return. Students are responsible for knowing and satisfying the degree requirements of their academic program and for understanding and complying with University academic policies and procedures.

Undergraduate students who have at least 60 GPA hours in residence with a grade point average of 3.50 or better at the University of South Alabama are graduated with distinction.

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Graduate programs offered by the university

The University of South Alabama offers a wide range of graduate programs across its ten colleges and schools. With over 40 graduate and professional degree programs, the university provides a variety of choices for students to pursue their academic interests and develop career-enhancing skills.

One of the key features of graduate studies at the University of South Alabama is the opportunity for independent investigation and intellectual challenge. The university has been designated as a "high research" institution by the Carnegie Foundation, reflecting the level and quality of graduate research opportunities available.

The graduate programs offered by the university span a diverse range of disciplines. These include the College of Allied Health Professions, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, the Mitchell College of Business, the School of Computing, the Colleges of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Engineering, the College of Medicine, and the College of Nursing.

Within these colleges and schools, students can pursue master's, specialist's, or doctoral degree programs. The university also allows students to transfer credits from regionally accredited universities and apply them towards their graduate degrees at South Alabama. Additionally, the university accommodates working professionals by offering flexible options to balance their graduate studies with work and family commitments.

The University of South Alabama also provides a pathway for students enrolled in graduate programs at other universities to enroll in their Graduate School. With written permission from the Dean, students in good standing at their current institution can explore the academic opportunities available at South Alabama as transient students.

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Transferring to another graduate program

The University of South Alabama's transfer credit policy is designed to facilitate the transfer of students and their coursework from one college or university to another. The University accepts transfer work from regionally accredited post-secondary institutions.

If you are a student wishing to transfer to another graduate program at the University of South Alabama, you must apply to the new program through the Office of Admissions. If the new program is related to the previous one and is within the same college or school, you should consult the Director of Graduate Studies of the new program.

The University of South Alabama does not award graduate credit for prior portfolio-based experiential learning. However, transfer credit from regionally accredited universities may be accepted by certain programs. If the university is non-accredited, the individual graduate program will determine if the quality and content of the course meet its standards.

Students may also transfer appropriate courses taken while in non-degree graduate status or in another graduate program. Some programs will allow graduate courses applied to certain master's degrees to be transferred and also count towards a doctoral degree, subject to the limits of maximum transfer credit hours.

Additionally, the University of South Alabama is a participant in the Reverse Transfer system with the National Student Clearinghouse. This is for students who transferred to the University from a two-year institution before completing an Associate's degree. The University transfers credits back to the two-year institution for evaluation and determination of eligibility for an Associate's degree.

The Alabama Articulation Program (Alabama Transfers) is a web-based system designed to inform students who attend Alabama Community Colleges about degree requirements, course equivalents, and other transfer information on specific majors at each state-funded four-year institution.

Frequently asked questions

Undergraduate students need at least 60 GPA hours in residence and a grade point average of 3.50 or better to graduate with distinction.

Students must have a minimum USA GPA of 3.50 to be eligible for Latin honours.

Students planning to graduate must submit an application to the Registrar's Office at least one semester before their expected degree completion.

Students need a grade point average of between 3.50 and 3.70 to graduate cum laude.

The University of South Alabama offers over 50 graduate and professional degree programs, including master's and doctoral degrees.

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