The Logger: Student HandbookThe Logger: Student Handbook

Graduation Information and Requirements

Catalog Jurisdiction
The University of Puget Sound Bulletin outlines the structure of the core and major or minor requirements.  Each matriculated student must meet degree requirements published in the Bulletin (a) at the time of matriculation, or (b) at the time of graduation, or (c) in any Bulletin published between the student’s matriculation and graduation, provided that no more than six years separate matriculation and graduation.  The exception to this statement is that the new core implemented Fall 2003 may not be selected by students matriculating as freshmen prior to Summer 2003, or as transfers prior to Summer 2004.     Additionally, students are reminded that specific courses applicable to the core will fulfill core requirements only during the semester(s) that they are officially listed in a Bulletin or class schedule as fulfilling core.

Degree Progress Evaluation
Information on student degree progress is provided to students and their advisors via the Degree Progress Reporting item in the Cascade web menu. The Degree Progress Report (DPR) summarizes and details student academic progress through each University requirement for graduation plus the department or program requirements for completion of majors and minors.

Because students are responsible for understanding and complying with academic regulations, it is in the student's best interest to insist upon a review of the DPR during the advising session prior to registration each term. Additionally, students should review the DRP following each registration and grading period to verify the completion of degree requirements.

In addition to reviewing academic progress with their advisors, students may also contact the Evaluation Unit (253.879.2653) in the Office of the Registrar (Jones 013) to review the DRP and to ask questions concerning the content of the DPR.

University Requirements
In order to receive the baccalaureate degree from the University of Puget Sound, a student must:

  1. Pass a minimum of 32 units.  The 32 units may include up to 4 academic courses graded pass/fail, up to 1.5 units in activity courses, and up to four units of Independent study.  (See regulations regarding transfer credit and activity credit).
  2. Pass a minimum of 16 units, including the last eight, in residence at the University of Puget Sound.  Residence requirements also exist in core, majors, minors, and graduation honors.  (See also the section on Study Abroad).
  3. Maintain a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00 for all work taken at Puget Sound.
  4. Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 for all graded courses, including transfer courses.
  5. Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 for all graded courses, including transfer courses, in the major(s) and the minor(s), if a minor is elected.
  6. Pass the University Core Requirements.  (Courses taken pass/fail will not fulfill University core requirements). Specific courses satisfying core requirements are listed in the Class Schedule and the Bulletin.  Students are reminded that specific courses applicable to the core will fulfill core requirements only during the semester(s) that they are officially listed in a Bulletin or class schedule as fulfilling core.  Courses used to satisfy core requirements may not be taken pass/fail.
  7. Satisfy the Foreign Language Graduation Requirement by in at least one of the following ways:
    a. Successfully complete two semesters of a foreign language at the 101-102 college level, or one semester of a foreign language at the 200 level or above;
    b. Pass a UPS-approved foreign language proficiency exam at the third-year high school or first-year college level;
    c. Receive a score of 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement foreign language exam or a score of 5, 6, or 7 on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level foreign language exam.
  8. Earn at least three academic units outside the first major at the upper division level, which is understood to be 300 or 400 level courses or 200 level courses with at least two prerequisites.
  9. Meet the requirements for a major field of study.  A second major or a minor are options for the student.  (Courses counting toward the major may not be taken pass/fail unless they are mandatory pass/fail courses).
  10. Complete all Incomplete or In-Progress grades.
  11. File an application for graduation with the Office of the Registrar.  Applications are due in September for graduation in the following May, August, or December.

Major
Students normally declare their major area of study by the end of the sophomore year through the Office of Academic Advising or online through Cascade web.  One major is required of all graduates.  The specific requirements for a major are established by the department and approved by the Curriculum Committee.  Each student must have the major program approved prior to graduation.

An academic major requires a minimum of eight units, of which four units must be residence credit.  A 2.00 minimum cumulative GPA is required in all major courses in the department as well as in these courses in combination with any ancillary courses required.  Some departments may require a grade average higher than 2.00 for completion of a major or minor.

Grades of Pass are not counted toward major or minor requirements.  Letter grades below C (2.00) are not counted toward major or minor requirements in some departments. Although grades lower than C may not count toward major requirements, they are nevertheless included in computation of the major grade average.  Students are therefore encouraged to do well in all their major courses.

Students must meet the requirements for a major or minor as published in the Bulletin unless a requirement is specifically modified by the department.  Any such modification must be recorded in writing and sent by the department chair to the registrar.

Academic disciplines develop and change over time.  For this reason, departments reserve the right to not accept toward the major or minor courses taken more than a specified number of years in the past.  Academic departments have established time limits on the acceptability of courses into programs.  A department may either refuse to include an “old” course toward a major or minor, or may require that such a course be repeated.

Multiple Majors
Students who wish to earn the baccalaureate degree with more than one major may do so with clearance of each major by the appropriate department, school, or program. For a student who completes majors associated with different bachelor's degrees, the major declared as the "first" major designates the degree.  For example, a student completing majors in English and Biology receives the Bachelor of Arts if English is the first major or the Bachelor of Science if Biology is the first major. All majors must be complete before the degree is awarded.  Students choosing to complete multiple majors may expect to extend their undergraduate careers beyond the standard four years.

Students may not earn multiple majors from the same department, school, or program except students may major in both Computer Science and Mathematics, and students may have multiple majors from the Foreign Languages and Literature Department provided the language of each major is different.

Minor
Students who wish to earn a minor may do so with clearance by the respective department, school, or program.  A minor is not required for the degree.  The specific requirements for a minor are established by the department and approved by the Curriculum Committee.  An academic minor requires a minimum of five units, of which at least three units must be residence credit.  A 2.00 minimum cumulative GPA in all minor courses is required.  Grades of Pass are not counted toward minor requirements.  Letter grades below C (2.00) are not counted toward minor requirements in some departments.  Although grades lower than C may not count toward minor requirements, they are nevertheless included in computation of the minor grade average.  Students are therefore encouraged to do well in all their minor courses.  Students must meet the requirements for a minor as published in the Bulletin unless a requirement is specifically modified by the department.  Any such modification must be recorded in writing and sent by the department chair to the registrar.  Minor(s) must be completed before the degree is awarded.

A student may not major and minor in the same department and may not earn multiple minors from the same department except students may major or minor in Computer Science and may major or minor in Mathematics, and students may major and/or minor in different foreign languages.

Completion of Majors or Minors After Graduation
Because majors and minors are earned as elements of academic degrees, all major and minor degree requirements must be completed before the degree is awarded. Additional majors or minors may not be completed after the degree is awarded.

Second Baccalaureate Degree
Students who wish to earn a second baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of eight additional academic and graded units in residence subsequent to the awarding of the first baccalaureate degree.  Students are required to complete department requirements current as of the date of post-baccalaureate enrollment.

Each additional baccalaureate degree requires eight more discrete academic graded units.

Participation in Commencement Ceremonies
Commencement is held once a year in the month of May.  In general, a student participates in the Commencement nearest the time of completion of requirements for a degree.  Students must apply for a degree by the deadline date for the ceremony in order to be included in the printed program.

Honors
A student receiving a first baccalaureate degree may receive University Honors and/or Honors in the Major.

University Honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude) are awarded to those first baccalaureate degree candidates who have exhibited academic excellence and breadth of scholarly achievement.  To qualify, a student must have at least 16 graded units in residence at the University of Puget Sound, no fewer than 28 total graded units, and a minimum cumulative grade average of 3.70, 3.80, or 3.90, respectively.

Honors in the Major are awarded to those first baccalaureate degree candidates who have been recommended by their major department in recognition of outstanding achievement in the area of the major.  Only ten per cent of a department’s graduates will receive Honors in the Major.  Students graduating with a Special Interdisciplinary Major (SIM) will receive Honors in the Major if they earn a grade average of 3.70 or higher in courses required for the SIM.

The citation of Coolidge Otis Chapman Honors Scholar is awarded at graduation to provide recognition for outstanding work done through the University’s Honors Program.  The citation, named in memory of a former distinguished member of the faculty, is awarded for completion of all requirements of the Honors Program, including a bachelor’s thesis.

The Dean’s List designation is awarded to full-time, undergraduate students seeking their first baccalaureate, who represent the top ten per cent of scholars, and who have three or more graded units and no incompletes or withdrawals for the term.  A “Dean’s List” notice will appear on the student’s permanent academic record.