Graduation Requirements

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A student must satisfy either the graduation requirements in effect at the time he or she first enrolls as a classified student in a specific UH Hilo degree or certificate program, or the requirements in effect at the time of his or her graduation. A student whose UH Hilo enrollment is interrupted for more than two consecutive semesters (excluding summer sessions) must complete the requirements in effect at the time the student is readmitted or the requirements in effect at the time of his or her graduation.

Baccalaureate Degrees: General Requirements

Baccalaureate degrees are granted only to those students who (1) earn at least 120 semester hours, (2) complete satisfactorily the program of courses prescribed for their majors, (3) earn at least a 2.0 UH Hilo cumulative GPA as well as a 2.0 GPA in courses required for the major (a higher GPA may be required for some degrees) and minor (if any), (4) earn a minimum of 30 semester hours in the college from which a degree is sought, (5) are registered as a classified student with a declared major and in attendance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo during the semester or summer session in which the degree is granted, and (6) meet all requirements of their respective colleges and departments. All degree requirements must be met within the special limitations imposed upon directed reading/directed studies, “credit/no credit” and special topics courses, and the credit by examination policy. Students should consult all appropriate sections of this Catalog or speak with their faculty advisors or college deans for more details on these limitations.

More information on baccalaureate degree requirements is contained in the preceding chapter. Students are urged to pay strict attention to all requirements and to see an advisor regularly.

Application for Graduation

An application for graduation from any of the degree or certificate programs offered by UH Hilo must be submitted to the Business Office for processing by the deadline specified in the UH Hilo Academic Calendar. The Application for Degree/Certificate form is available at www.uhh.hawaii.edu/forms/. A non-refundable fee of $15.00 is charged upon application. Failure to file a graduation application by the specified deadline will result in a delay of graduation.

Graduation in Absentia

Under extraordinary circumstances, students may earn their final credits at an institution other than UH Hilo and, upon official transfer of these credits back to UH Hilo, graduate with their degree from UH Hilo. This practice is called graduation in absentia. Students must demonstrate a compelling personal reason to graduate in absentia, and their application must be approved by the appropriate dean before any courses are taken in absentia.

Graduation in absentia is not automatic nor is it a right of students. In order to be eligible to be considered for graduation in absentia, a student must meet all of the specified conditions. Forms are available at www.uhh.hawaii.edu/forms/.

Students whose application for graduation in absentia has been approved must also apply for graduation as described in the preceding section.