Graduation

Graduation Office
Office: BA 113
Telephone: 801-863-8438

General Graduation Requirements

Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations of both the University and their specific majors. Detailed information concerning graduation requirements is available in this catalog as part of department descriptions. Responsibility for satisfying all graduation requirements rests upon the student. UVU reserves the right to change graduation requirements at any time.

The University confers degrees, diplomas, or certificates upon students who meet both the General Education requirements of the University and the specific requirements of one of the academic departments.

Credit Requirement

Certificate/Degree Number of Semester Credit Hours for Completion
Certificates of Proficiency Less than 30 credit hours
Certificates of Completion 30–33 credit hours
Diploma 50 credit hours
Associate in Applied Science Degree 63–69 credit hours (some disciplines may require more due to specialized accreditation)
Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree 60–63 credit hours
Specialized Associate’s degrees 68-85 credit hours
Baccalaureate degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Professional Bachelor’s degrees) 120–126 credit hours, 40 of which shall be upper-division credits (level 3000 and above)
Graduate Certificate 9–29 credit hours

Please see the Graduate Studies section of the catalog regarding credit requirements for master degree programs.

Grade Point Average Requirement

A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) is required for graduation. In some programs specific course grades below 2.0 will not be accepted for graduation and some programs require a higher cumulative grade point average (see individual program requirements).

Graduation Catalog Requirement

Candidates for graduation will be held to the requirements of the catalog under which they were admitted. Students have a maximum of 7 years to complete bachelor degrees and 5 years to complete associate degrees and undergraduate certificates; 6 years are allowed for master degrees and graduate certificates. In the case of bachelor degree programs, the seven year limit begins when a student is formally matriculated into the program. If a student is unable to complete their program within the maximum timeframe, they will need to update the program to an active catalog year. A student must have attended UVU during a catalog year to use those requirements towards graduation.

Programs that are no longer being offered may not be pursued by students who were not admitted or formally matriculated in that program during the accepted period of time. Students who were admitted or matriculated into the program while it was offered must complete the program prior to the expiration of the program's final catalog year. Students may not combine portions of different catalogs to fulfill graduation requirements. Once a catalog is selected, students must abide by all the graduation requirements specified within that catalog. Minors can only be sought if offered during that catalog year. Please see the Graduate Studies section of the catalog regarding catalog year requirements for master degree programs.

Global/Intercultural Requirement

The Global/Intercultural requirement is a graduation requirement at the baccalaureate degree level. Courses that may be used to complete this requirement will be coded with a GI course attribute. The purpose of the Global/Intercultural requirement is to assist students to become better prepared to understand and participate in the global and cultural interdependencies that characterize our world. Students who take courses at another university and want to use them for the Global/Intercultural requirement must petition through the GI committee.  See the Registrar’s Office (BA 113) for further information. For a complete listing of the courses offered at UVU that fulfill this requirement, see the Course Descriptions section in the back of this catalog for course numbers ending in “G”.

Residence Requirement

Credit hours in residency (UVU credits) at a UVU campus, satellite, or branch campus, or through distance education or concurrent enrollment, are required for all certificates, diplomas, and degrees. Minimum hours are as follows:

  1. Certificates of proficiency require 25% of total credit hours (rounded up);
  2. Certificates of completion require 10 credit hours;
  3. Associate degrees and diplomas require 20 credit hours;
  4. Baccalaureate degrees require 30 credit hours (10 credits of those 30 shall have been completed within the last 45 credit hours earned for the degree).

Multiple Degrees

Students may earn multiple certificates.  Students may earn only one academic associate degree from Utah Valley University; either an Associate in Science or an Associate in Arts.  With some exceptions, students may earn multiple Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, specialized associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees.

A second bachelor’s degree may be awarded when all requirements for both degrees are satisfied, along with the following:

  1. All UVU General Education requirements are satisfied;
  2. Thirty semester hours beyond the original degree, that apply to the new degree, are completed;
  3. Twenty semester hours of the 30 hours in item 2 above must be completed at UVU (resident hours)

Dual Baccalaureate Majors (One degree– with two majors)

A baccalaureate degree with dual majors may be awarded when students complete all requirements for two degrees, but there is less than a 30 credit difference between the courses used to fulfill the requirements for the two degrees. The student shall receive a single baccalaureate degree; the diploma and transcript shall list both majors.

Other information regarding the dual major:

  1. Students apply for graduation for one degree, and only one degree type, such as a Bachelor of Arts, or a Bachelor of Science;
  2. In order to be awarded a dual major, both majors must be completed during the semester when (or prior to) applying for graduation
  3. If Students have already graduated in one of the majors, they may not apply for a dual major.
  4. After being awarded a dual major degree, students may not apply for graduation for one of the dual majors separately.
  5. Students shall have no more than three course substitutions from the required courses for the two majors combined.
  6. Students may not receive minors in either major, but may be awarded a minor from another area if all requirements are met.
  7. Credits shall not exceed the 160 credit hour limit with the two combined majors.

 
Degree Requirements

Master Degrees

Please see the Graduate Studies section of the catalog regarding degree requirements.

Bachelor of Arts/Science Degrees

Graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Arts/Science Degrees are:

  • Completion of a minimum of 120 semester credits, or more if specified by program requirements;
  • Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above. Departments may require a higher GPA.
  • Residency hours - minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours;
  • At least 40 credit hours in upper division courses;
  • Completion of General Education requirements. See General Education section above for specific courses required for graduation;
  • Completion of specific departmental (major) requirements;
  • Completion of Global/Intercultural Requirement course.

For a Bachelor of Arts Degree in programs offering the degree, students must complete 16 credit hours of course work from one language to include the 1010, 1020, 2010 and 202G levels, or transferred equivalents. Some ESL course work may be used to fulfill this requirement. See the ESL department for specific details.

Note: Academic departments may require specific General Education courses in addition to major requirements.

Multiple Emphases

Students may earn additional emphases, with departmental approval under a specific bachelor’s degree by completing the requirements for those emphases at the same time. Additional emphases shall appear on transcripts, but no additional diplomas will be awarded.

Associate in Arts/Science Degrees1

Graduation requirements for the Associate in Arts/Science Degrees are:

  • Completion of a minimum of 60 or more semester credits;
  • Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above. Departments may require higher GPA;
  • Residency hours - minimum of 20 credit hours earned through course attendance at UVU;
  • Completion of General Education requirements. See General Education section for specific courses required for graduation;
  • Completion of specific department (major) requirements.

Note: Academic departments may require specific General Education courses in addition to major requirements.

1

The Associate in Arts Degree differs from the Associate in Science Degree in that a minimum of 8 credits must be earned in the same Foreign Language.

Language Proficiency

A second language is required to obtain the Associate in Arts Degree. This language must be different from the student’s native language. Language proficiency may be demonstrated by any one of the following methods:

  • Eight credits of the same language taken at UVU or transferred from another college; or
  • Application of foreign language challenge credit as described in the Foreign Language Challenge Procedures (available from the Languages Department Chair);
  • Language credit does not apply to the General Education Humanities Distribution area (except for any 202G course) but will apply as elective credit in the Associate in Arts/Science Degree and as Humanities credit for the Associate in Applied Science Degree.

Associate in Applied Science Degrees

Graduation requirements for the Associate in Applied Science Degrees are:

  • Completion of a minimum of 63 semester credits;
  • Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above;
  • Residency hours - minimum of 20 credit hours earned through course attendance at UVU;
  • Completion of department General Education requirements;
  • Completion of specific department major requirements.

Diplomas

Diplomas require a minimum of 50 credits in a specialty area. Some programs offering Associate in Applied Science Degrees also offer diplomas. Not all departments offer diplomas. See specific department program listings for details.

Certificates of Completion

Certificates of Completion require a minimum of 30 credit hours. Not all departments offer a Certificate of Completion. See specific department program listings for details.

Certificates of Proficiency

Certificates of Proficiency vary in credit hours from 3-29 credit hours.  Not all departments offer a Certificate of Proficiency.  See Specific department program listings for details.

General Graduation Information

Application for Graduation

Graduation is not automatic. Prospective graduates must complete the online Graduation Application on the graduation website (www.uvu.edu/graduation).  Applicants may also be required to fill out additional forms/surveys. The application must be completed by the Application deadline as listed below:

Application Deadlines

  • Fall semester: Last day in October
  • Spring semester: Last day in February
  • Summer semester: Last day in June

Graduation applications are processed each semester. Diplomas are mailed to graduates after final grades are reviewed and graduation requirements are verified as completed for all students at the end of the semester. Students failing to complete graduation requirements by the following dates for which they have applied must reapply for graduation. Requirement Deadlines:

  • Fall semester: January 15th
  • Spring semester: May 31st
  • Summer semester: September 15th

Requirements may include, but are not limited to: all current semester grades, all “I” (Incomplete) and “M” (Missing) grades, grade changes, challenge and experiential credit, AP (Advanced Placement) credits, CLEP (College Level Examination Program) and DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) credit, transferred credit, required testing and departmental exceptions. All these items Must be completed and submitted by the above deadlines. Failure to comply will cause the student to have their graduation declined for that semester. Students will then have to apply for another graduation semester.

Commencement

Commencement exercises are held once each year at the end of spring semester. Students who have completed their graduation requirements during the summer, fall, or spring of that academic year are invited to participate. Attendance is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory.

Graduates are only permitted to walk within their graduating academic year. Summer graduates have the option to walk in the Spring ceremony prior to their final summer term, or in the following years ceremony. If they walk in the spring ceremony prior to their degree completion, they may not walk with honors and will not be eligible to be valedictorian for their College/School. In addition, they may only be missing 12 credits or less at the time of the ceremony, or be fully enrolled in all remaining requirements to be eligible to walk in the early ceremony.

Financial Holds

Candidates for graduation who owe money to UVU will not receive proof of graduation, diplomas or official transcripts, until all debts are paid.

Graduation with Distinction

Honors at graduation are available to students who meet the following minimum cumulative grade point averages: (Honors designations are computed on hours completed; 20 hours minimum for associate degrees; 30 hours minimum for bachelor's degrees.) These Distinctions are awarded and based only upon cumulative GPA and are not related to participation in the UVU Honors Program. Graduate students do not qualify for honors distinction.

Associate Degrees

  • Honors GPA 3.60
  • High Honors GPA 3.80

Bachelor's Degrees

  • Cum Laude GPA 3.60
  • Magna Cum Laude GPA 3.80
  • Summa Cum Laude GPA 3.90

Note: Please contact the Honors Program (LC 204) for information about the UVU Honors Program.

Valedictorians

Each of the Colleges and Schools of the University will select a valedictorian from a list supplied by the Graduation Office of candidates graduating with honors during the academic year. The status of valedictorian is determined by each school and college, based on competitive criteria. Please check your school or college for requirements and details.