The candidate for a University degree must have satisfactorily completed all academic requirements for the degree program and have the approval of the appropriate Academic Dean and clearance from the Office of the University Registrar. All candidates must submit the online application for graduation (available in Student Profile) on or before the application deadline as published in the Academic Calendar and must satisfy all financial obligations to the University.

All coursework, including the Bridges General Education Curriculum for undergraduates, must be complete, and any transfer, advanced-standing or similar credit posted, and all other graduation requirements met by the deadline to complete degrees as published in the Academic Calendar. Failure to complete all academic requirements will result in the disapproval of the student's application. Candidates not approved for graduation must reapply at the beginning of the semester when completion is anticipated.

Student Success Coaches and Graduate Academic Advisors are available to assist in planning and implementing each student's program of study; however, it is ultimately each student's responsibility to know and fulfill the requirements for graduation for the selected program of study.

Each school and department determine requirements for graduation that students are expected to meet, as well as the following:

  1. The bachelor’s degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of course credits.
  2. No student may graduate with fewer credits than are required for their degree program.
  3. The bachelor’s degree requires an overall minimum quality point average of 2.0, which is a “C” grade average in a 4.0 system. Students should further determine the need for minimum QPA requirements in their major, science course, etc.
  4. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits at Duquesne University to earn a bachelor's degree.
  5. The last 30 credits of the degree must be completed at Duquesne University unless otherwise sanctioned by the Provost's Office, e.g., students in special affiliated programs). Credit by examination, CLEP, advanced standing, and advanced placement credits are not included in this 30-credit minimum.
  6. The student record must be cleared of all grades that are not permanent, e.g., grade of "I" (incomplete), "IP" (in-progress).
  7. Any required course with a failing grade ("F" or "N") must be repeated.
  8. Students on academic probation may be candidates for graduation only with permission of the Committee on Student Standing of their school.

Any student who has separated from the University for more than two consecutive semesters (excluding summers) who failed to apply to graduate, or one who wishes to return to complete degree requirements, is subject to the Readmission Policy. Degrees are not awarded retroactively. Students must apply for graduation by the deadline as published in the Academic Calendar for the anticipated or next scheduled graduation date.

University commencement ceremonies are held each year in May and in December. The School of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the School of Law hold commencement ceremonies in May. In addition, the Rangos School of Health Sciences holds a ceremony in August for graduating students.

Students who, for personal reasons, wish to participate in a ceremony that is not their designated graduation ceremony must seek the approval of their dean. If such students have not yet completed all requirements for their degrees, participating in the ceremony ("walking") will not constitute official completion of their programs of study. Students are not considered to be graduates until they have completed all degree and graduation requirements. Degrees will not be posted nor will diplomas be issued to students unless they have officially graduated. Students engaged in master or doctoral programs who have not yet completed thesis, capstone or dissertation requirements, graduates from the School of Law, and all Ph.D. students are permitted to participate only in their designated graduation ceremony. Only the names of candidates for degrees will be published in the commencement programs.

In order to be eligible to participate in the May ceremony before all degree and graduation requirements are met, students must, in the judgment of their dean, be able to complete the remaining required course(s) no later than the last day of the twelve-week session in the summer term that follows the ceremony.

Only the degree name prints on the diploma.  Majors, minors, and concentrations print only on the official transcript.