Graduation

General Requirements

Undergraduate students all share certain general requirements for earning the baccalaureate degree (B.A., B.Mus., B.S.N., and B.S.). These include the following:

• Filing an application for admission to candidacy with the Office of Records.
• Satisfactory completion of a total of a minimum of 128 semester units (numbered 100 and above) with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.000.
• Satisfactory completion of all general education requirements.
• Completion of an approved program of study in a major area with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 unless stipulated higher.
• If a minor is declared, a minimum GPA of 2.000 unless stipulated higher. 
• Residency at the university during the final 24 semester units of study (not applicable to PLNU-sponsored study abroad).
• Completion of all academic and institutional requirements and obligations.
• Payment in full of all financial obligations to the university, including a graduation fee.

1. Candidacy for a Degree. An application for advancement to candidacy for a degree must be filed after the student has completed at least 92 semester units of work and has an approved program of study. Although students may view an unofficial advising guide on the Web, an official “Graduation Check” is conducted by the Office of Records which subsequently communicates with the degree applicant regarding appropriate details. A special application must be made, and a fee paid, for students who must attend a final summer session in order to complete all requirements for graduation (see below under Graduation Fees).
2. Semester Units. A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 is required for graduation. None of the minimum 128 semester units required for the baccalaureate degree may include those taken at the remedial level (numbered below 100).
3. General Education. Students must meet the stated requirements in general education, a broad-based liberalizing experience in the arts and sciences. Transfer students are responsible to make sure any course work done prior to admission to the university fulfills the categories that are unique to PLNU.
4. Completion of the Major. All major programs of study are sanctioned by the Point Loma faculty and listed in detail in this Catalog. Of the units completed in a major, at least 24 must be taken at the upper-division level (numbered 300 and above). In addition, a minimum of one-half of the upper-division units in the major must be completed in residence. A 2.000 cumulative grade-point average is required for all academic majors. An academic minor, though available in various academic areas, is not a requirement for graduation.
5. Residency. Candidates for the baccalaureate degree must be in residence during the final 24 units applied toward the degree. A minimum of one-half of the upper-division units in the major also must be taken in residence.

Completion of All Requirements. Commencement convocation is once a year at the close of the spring semester. All work taken toward a degree must be completed in full before a student can participate in commencement ceremonies. Likewise, the awarding of a diploma is dependent on clearance by a variety of university offices and services, such as Residential Life, Student Accounts, and Ryan Library. Degrees are posted in the semester of final registration and/or completion of final requirements. The university does not guarantee the awarding of a degree.

Students petitioning to be allowed to participate in the annual commencement convocation and complete their graduation requirements in the final summer session may not be deficient by more than 12 units. A completed application for summer graduation must be filed with the Office of Records including an action plan that is a binding contract of work to be completed. Approval by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and fee payment constitute final approval.

Graduation Fees. All students eligible for graduation are charged a fee. This fee is applied to the student's account and is non-refundable.The fee is charged regardless of whether the student participates in the commencement ceremonies or is not currently studying in residence. Students who find it necessary to file an Application for Summer Graduation pay a special fee. This fee is refundable only if all requirements are met satisfactorily by the conclusion of the summer (with all official documentation filed no later than October 1), according to the application agreement as approved by the Vice Provost for Academic Administration, and are eligible for posting on schedule by the Office of Records.
 
Final Clearance. In order to receive final approval for participation in commencement activities, students must resolve any outstanding charges of fees or misconduct. The university does not guarantee the awarding of a diploma or degree.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree

The requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree are the same as for the other baccalaureate degrees except that no foreign language is required and students may choose between a second literature course or a philosophy course. A larger concentration of work is required in the Nursing major.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

A second baccalaureate degree may be earned at Point Loma Nazarene University. After applying for re-admission, a minimum of 32 units must be completed. Twenty-four of these units must be taken at the 300 level or above. A minimum of 24 units must be earned in the new major, with no duplication of units from a previous major. Twenty-four units must be taken in residence at PLNU. All general education (if different from first degree), the additional major, and specific academic major requirements for the second degree must be met. Second degree candidates are eligible for honors at graduation and for the Dean’s List but not for membership in Phi Delta Lambda. The second baccalaureate degree is distinguished from multiple majors within a first degree.

Graduation Honors

Honoris Causa. The university occasionally grants honorary degrees to worthy recipients, as recommended by the President to the Board of Trustees.

Graduation with Honors. The university confers unofficial honors during the commencement ceremony calculated on the residential grade-point average (GPA earned at PLNU) and based on a minimum of 48 residential units earned by the conclusion of the fall semester. Official honors, however, require a minimum of 48 residential units after all course work has been completed for the degree. Honors are noted on the diploma as Summa cum Laude (highest honors), 3.900 and above; Magna cum Laude (high honors), 3.700 to 3.899; and Cum Laude (honors), 3.500 to 3.699. Final official honors are based on the student’s residential grade-point average. However, in every case, students who receive honors must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.500, including all transfer work. Study Abroad grades are not included in this calculation (students may contact the Office of Records for clarification).

The Honors Scholars Program

Special recognition is given to successful scholars during commencement ceremonies, on diplomas, and official transcripts of record. Criteria, qualifications, and procedures are available in the Deans' Center. Eligibility requirements include a minimum 3.500 GPA. See "Honors Scholars Program" in this Catalog.