In fulfilling graduation requirements, there are two sets of requirements to meet: university-wide
requirements, which include the general education requirements which all students must complete, and
college-level requirements, which include requirements for completing majors and minors. College-level and
department-level requirements for majors and minors are listed in the college sections of this bulletin
under the appropriate college listing.
- Academic major: Satisfactorily complete all requirements of the curriculum in
which one is enrolled and earn a minimum total of 122 credits in approved course work. Requirements for
some academic majors exceed this minimum.
- General education requirements: Satisfactorily complete the general education
requirements as specified earlier in this section. General education requirements are an integral part of
the program requirements.
- Scholastic standing: A minimum institutional grade-point average of 2.00 based
on work taken at NDSU for which grades have been assigned is required for graduation. When a course is
taken and repeated at NDSU, only the last grade and credits earned will be used in computing the
cumulative grade-point average; however, all attempts appear on the transcript. Some academic programs
include more specific grade-point requirements for program components or special credentials.
- Upper-level credit requirements: At least 37 of the credits presented for
graduation must be in courses taken at the 300 and 400 level.
- Residence requirements: Resident credits include credits registered and paid
for at NDSU while attending courses offered on campus, in Tri-College, or via distance education. Subject
to approval by the college and department in which the student is majoring, credits earned through
designated programs (e.g., field trips, internships, co-op education, study abroad, and capstone or
exchange programs) sponsored by NDSU or originating from the NDSU campus may be accepted for all or part
of the resident credit. The last 30 credits must be earned in residence.
- Transfer Students: A transfer student must earn a minimum of 60 semester
credits from a four-year institution. Of these, at least 36 must be NDSU resident credits as defined
above. Within these 36 resident credits, minimum requirements include 15 semester credits in courses
numbered 300 or above (37 upper-level credits must still be earned in total) and 15 semester credits in
the major field of study.
- Financial obligations: Satisfy all financial obligations owed to the
university.
-
Application for degree audit: A Graduation Audit Request postcard will be sent
to students’ home address (as listed in Campus Connection) from the Office of Registration and
Records according to total degree credit requirements. Students should complete and return the card to
ensure timely receipt of an audit listing the requirements remaining for completion of the degree and
program requested.
- For 122-150 total credits, file after completing 75 credits
- For 151-165 total credits, file after completing 95 credits
- For 216-229 total credits, file after completing 120 credits
- Application for degree: All candidates for a baccalaureate degree must
indicate their intent to graduate when registering for their last semester. The application forms are
available in the Office of Registration and Records, 110 Ceres, or online at the Bison Connection Forms page.
Failure to apply by the third week of the planned semester of graduation may delay the awarding of the
degree until the following semester. If a student fails to complete the required courses in time for a
planned graduation, the student must reapply for the next graduation.
Graduation with honor applies only to the baccalaureate degree. Graduate courses are not included in the
computation. Candidates who entered NDSU as freshmen and who have earned a minimum institutional
grade-point average of 3.50 will graduate with honor. Candidates with transfer credits must meet the
minimum institutional grade-point average of 3.50 for all credits earned at NDSU, as well as a cumulative
grade-point average of 3.50 for all credits earned including those from transfer work. All grades and all
attempts of repeated courses are included in grade-point average calculations for graduating with honor.
Students who meet the above academic criteria will graduate according to one of the following honor
levels:
- Cum Laude – equal to or greater than 3.50 and less than 3.70
- Magna Cum Laude – equal to or greater than 3.70 and less than 3.90
- Summa Cum Laude – equal to or greater than 3.90
Earned degrees are posted to academic records approximately three weeks following the close of the
semester in which degree requirements were successfully completed, provided students declared their intent
to graduate in that same term with the Office of Registration and Records.
Diplomas are issued following each term and are mailed six to eight weeks following the close of the
academic session in which graduation requirements have been completed. Neither diplomas nor official
transcripts will be released for students who have outstanding debts owed to the university. Students are
responsible for submitting any name and address corrections for diploma processing. A diploma replacement
service is provided by the Office of Registration and Records for those who have lost or damaged their
diploma. The cost is $24.
The information provided on this page originated from the NDSU course catalog bulletin
and is subject to Reservation of
Rights and Disclaimer statements.