All degree requirements must be completed prior to the awarding of the degree. Degrees are awarded on three degree dates each year in May, August, and December. In order to receive the baccalaureate degree from the University of Puget Sound, a student must:
* A student with a learning disability that affects the ability to learn a foreign language should consult with the Office of Student Accessibility and Accommodations.
Please see the Knowledge, Identity, and Power page for details.
Students declare their major area of study by the end of the sophomore year through the Office of Academic Advising. One major is required of all graduates. The specific requirements for a major are established by the department and approved by the Curriculum Committee. Each student must have the major program approved prior to graduation.
An academic major requires a minimum of 8.00 units within a department or program, of which 4.00 units must be residence credit. A 2.00 minimum cumulative GPA is required in all major courses in the department or program. Additionally, a 2.00 minimum GPA is required in all department or program major courses in combination with any ancillary courses required. Some departments or programs may require a grade point average higher than 2.00 for completion of a major or minor. All major courses including those in excess will apply to the major grade point average. Student Academic Requirements reports outline grade point average requirements in detail.
Courses graded with the credit/no credit option may not be counted toward major requirements
Students must meet the requirements for a major or minor as published in the Bulletin unless a requirement is specifically modified by the department. Any such modification must be recorded in writing and sent by the department chair to the Registrar.
Students may declare more than one major. For a student who completes majors associated with different bachelor’s degrees, the major declared as the “first” major designates the degree. All majors must be complete before the degree is awarded.
Students may not earn multiple majors from the same department, school, or program. Some exceptions exist:
A minor is not required for the degree. Students declare their minor through the Office of Academic Advising. The specific requirements for a minor are established by the department or program and approved by the Curriculum Committee.
An academic minor requires a minimum of 5.00 units, of which at least 3.00 units must be residence credit. A 2.00 minimum cumulative GPA is required in all minor courses in the department or program. Some departments or programs may require a grade point average higher for completion of the minor. All minor courses including those in excess will apply to the minor grade point average. Student Academic Requirements reports outline grade point average requires in detail.
Courses graded with the pass/fail option may not be counted toward minor requirements.
Students must meet the requirements for a minor as published in the Bulletin unless a requirement is specifically modified by the department or program. Any such modification must be recorded in writing and sent by the department chair or program director to the Office of the Registrar. Minor(s) must be completed before the degree is awarded.
A student may not major and minor in the same department and may not earn multiple minors from the same department. Some exception exist:
Students who wish to earn two baccalaureate degrees simultaneously must complete:
For purposes of other academic policies, simultaneously earned degrees may both be considered “first” degrees.
Students who wish to earn a second baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of 8 additional academic and graded units in residence subsequent to the awarding of the first baccalaureate degree. Students are required to complete departmental requirements current as of the date of post-baccalaureate enrollment. Each additional baccalaureate degree requires 8 more discrete academic, and graded units earned in residence.
Commencement is held once a year in the month of May. In general, a student participates in the Commencement nearest the time of completion of requirements for a degree. Students must apply for a degree by the deadline date for the ceremony in order to be considered for Department Honors and to be listed in the printed Commencement program. Students who are currently on suspension, dismissal or who have been expelled may not participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
University Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) are awarded to first baccalaureate degree candidates. To qualify, a student must have at least 16.00 graded units taken in residence at Puget Sound and a minimum cumulative grade point average from the University of Puget Sound of 3.70, 3.80, or 3.90 respectively.
Honors in the Major are awarded to those first baccalaureate degree candidates who have been recommended by their major department in recognition of outstanding achievement in the area of the major. Only 10 percent of a department’s graduates will receive Honors in the Major. Students graduating with a Special Interdisciplinary Major (SIM) will receive Honors in the Major if they earn a grade point average of 3.70 or higher in courses required for the SIM.
The citation of Coolidge Otis Chapman Honors Scholar is awarded at graduation to provide recognition for outstanding work done through the university’s Honors Program. This honor, named in memory of a former distinguished member of the faculty, is awarded for completion of all requirements of the Honors Program, including a bachelor’s thesis.
The Robert Trimble Distinguished Asia Scholar is awarded at graduation to students who demonstrated academic excellence in the Asian Studies Interdisciplinary Program or Minor and have completed all requirements for this honor as outlined in the Bulletin.