Conferral of Degrees
Carolina University confers degrees three times a year, each May, August, and December, to students who have completed all graduation requirements. Students must apply to graduate on a degree conferral date through the MyCU Student Portal. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for deadlines.
One Commencement ceremony is held each year at the end of the Spring semester.
Program Completion Guidelines
The requirements specified in the catalogs apply to students who commence their studies at CU during that academic year and who remain in continuous enrollment (no enrollment interruption longer than two consecutive semesters) at the university until they graduate. If program requirements for general education, a major, minor, or certificate are changed in the catalog, students remain by default under the old requirements. When students change their major they will change to follow the program requirements of the current catalog at the time of their change of major. Students unsure of which catalog to use should consult their advisor.
Exceptions to these policies may be necessitated by changes in course offerings, degree programs, or by action of University authorities. In that event, every effort will be made to avoid penalizing the student.
Graduating with Honors
At commencement, honors are given on the following basis to students who maintain high academic averages:
Undergraduate Programs:
- 3.3-3.59 Cum Laude
- 3.6-3.84 Magna Cum Laude
- 3.85-4.00 Summa Cum Laude
Master’s Programs :
- 3.60-3.74 Cum Laude
- 3.75-3.89 Magna Cum Laude
- 3.90-4.00 Summa Cum Laude
Doctoral Programs:
- 3.75-3.89 Graduation with Distinction
- 3.90-4.00 Graduation with High Distinction
Such achievement is recorded on the student’s permanent record.
Award of Excellence
Carolina University recognizes superior scholarship and excellence of Christian character with an Award of Excellence. To qualify for this award, a student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.3 and be in the top seven percent of the senior class.
Note: Students already holding a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for the Award of Excellence.
Graduation Rate
Pursuant to the Federal Student Right-to-Know Act, the completion or graduation rate is provided on the Consumer Information page at carolinau.edu/consumer-information