Graduation and Degree Requirements

Click on any of the following links for information:

SDBOR policy 2.6.1, SDBOR policy 2.8.1

1. Total Semester Hours of Credit: Completion of at least 120 semester credit hours at the 100 level or above for the baccalaureate degree or 60 semester credit hours for the associate degree.
2. Grade Point Average: A cumulative grade point average and institutional grade point average of 2.00. The cumulative grade point average is based on all courses taken, including transfer courses and those taken at other regental institutions. The institutional grade point average is based on all coursework taken at USD. The grade point average for the major(s) must be at least 2.0.  If a course is repeated only the last grade received will be included in the calculation of the cumulative and institutional grade point averages. 
3. Developmental Education Course Requirements in English and Mathematics: Developmental education courses include ENGL 032, ENGL 033, MATH 093 and MATH 095. Credit hours for the developmental education courses are included in the total number of credit hours attempted. The grades assigned for these courses will be RI, RS, RU or SP and will not be included in the GPA calculation or degree credit requirements.
4. Completion of University general education requirements  .
5. Majors : Each degree candidate must select the work of one department or discipline as a major subject and must complete all requirements as set out by the major department. Any deviation from this requires the written consent of the chair of the department and the dean of the relevant college or school. Note: Exceptions to the System-wide Requirements must be approved by the dean of the student’s college or school and the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee.

• Students pursing more than one major, please refer to the academic policy section, multiple majors/degrees. 

6. Upper-Division Requirement: A minimum of 30 semester hours of credit in courses numbered 300 or above. Specific academic units may require additional hours of upper-division work.
7. Institutional Credit Requirement: Credit taken by students at USD or at its approved sites using any approved method of delivery is considered institutional credit, including credit from courses that are part of a formal collaborative agreement between USD and another regental university. The minimum number of credit hours that must be earned as institutional credit is 30 credits for the baccalaureate degree and 15 credits for the associate degree. The number of credit hours immediately preceding completion of the degree that must be earned as institutional credit is 15 of the last 30 credits for the baccalaureate degree and 8 of the last 15 for the associate degree. The minimum number of credit hours in the discipline of the major and the minor that must be completed as institutional credit is 50 percent. Degree-seeking students may, however, complete a minor from any of the South Dakota regental universities; the minor will be recorded on the student’s transcript in conjunction with a degree, indicating the university from which it was earned. Degree seeking students may complete requirements for a minor at any Regental university that has been approved to grant that minor. This minor will be recorded on the transcript in conjunction with a degree/major at that university or a degree/ major at any other Regental university. A minor will only be recorded on the transcript in conjunction with a degree and major. Certificates require 50 percent of the total hours required to be completed at the degree granting institution. System certificates are exempt from the credit hour requirement. In addition, when the requirements set by a specialized accrediting agency exceed the requirements set forth in this policy, those of the specialized accrediting agency take precedence (SDBOR policy 2.6.1.D.2).   

Candidates for degrees are required to make formal application for their degree by the deadline published in the Schedule of Classes.

After completing 70 semester hours of credit, students should apply for graduation and request an undergraduate degree audit using the Undergraduate Degree Audit request form (link). The audit will identify any remaining requirements needed to qualify for the degree. 

• Undergraduate Degree Audit request form

Academic degrees at the University of South Dakota are formally awarded by the South Dakota Board of Regents upon the recommendation of the University President, as outlined in SDBOR policy 2.6.2.A(1). The President’s recommendation confirms that each student has completed all degree requirements approved by the Board. 

Completion of Degree Requirements 

1. A degree can be awarded only after all degree requirements have been fully met. 
2. Board approval of a degree recommendation does not waive any requirement for an individual student. 

Commencement and Board Approval 

1. USD may hold commencement ceremonies before the Board takes formal action on degree recommendations. 
2. Participation in commencement does not constitute the awarding of a degree. 

Timing of Degree Conferral 

Degree recommendations are submitted to the Board at its regularly scheduled meetings: 

• May graduates: Considered at the Board’s May meeting. 
• August graduates: Considered at the Board’s August meeting. 
• December graduates: Considered at the Board’s December meeting. 

Once the Board approves the President’s recommendations and all requirements are verified as complete, the degree is officially conferred.

The official date of graduation for each academic term is set by the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) policy 2.6.2.A(2) and is recorded on both the academic transcript and the diploma. The official graduation date is the last day of the term: for Fall and Spring, this is the final day of the examination period; for Summer, it is the last day of the full summer term. Commencement ceremonies may occur before or after the official graduation date, and participation in commencement does not alter the date on which a degree is officially awarded. 

A student’s official graduation date corresponds to the term in which all degree requirements are successfully completed. To be recorded as graduating in each term, all requirements must be finished by that term’s final graduation verification date, which occurs two days before the National Student Clearinghouse certification date. Graduation cannot be backdated if requirements are completed after this deadline, and the student will instead graduate in a later term. Limited exceptions apply: the Vice President for Academic Affairs may approve an exception for student teachers whose placements extend beyond the verification deadline, and the Sanford School of Medicine is exempt from the verification deadline. No other exceptions are permitted. 

Each student is assigned a catalog of graduation, which determines the program and degree requirements they must meet to earn a degree. Under South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) policy 2.6.2.A(3), the catalog year runs from the beginning of the summer term through the end of the following spring term. 

All students are required to have a catalog of graduation. New and transfer students are assigned the catalog in effect at the time they first enroll at the university from which they intend to earn a degree. Students may choose to follow a later catalog but may not select an earlier one than the catalog assigned at initial enrollment. 

To receive a degree, students must complete the program requirements listed in their assigned catalog of graduation. Students remain in continuous enrollment for catalog purposes as long as any break in enrollment at a Regental university is two or fewer consecutive semesters (excluding summer) and they maintain degree‑seeking status at the same institution. Students who discontinue enrollment for more than two consecutive semesters are reassigned to the catalog in effect when they return. Students who change their degree‑seeking status from one Regental university to another are assigned the catalog in effect during the term they are admitted to the new degree‑granting institution. Students who are not enrolled but petition to graduate based on previously completed coursework at a Regental university are assigned the catalog in effect during the term in which they seek to graduate.  

Dean’s List Designation (SDBOR policy 2.8.1.C(8))

Undergraduate, full-time students may be designated for the Dean’s List at the end of the fall and spring terms. The Dean’s List designation is based on a student’s total course registrations for academic credit for the term from any South Dakota regental university. The Dean’s List designation does not appear on the transcript.

The following criteria must be met to be awarded Dean’s List designation:

1. Students must have earned a minimum of 12 credit hours during the term in courses numbered 100-699;
2. Students must have achieved a system term GPA of at least 3.50; and
3. Students must have no F, I, U, RI, or RU grades for the term regardless of system term GPA attained.
4. Students who receive an IP grade must meet all criteria without consideration of the course in which the IP grade was assigned. 

Academic Recognition For Undergraduate, Part-Time Students (SDBOR policy 2.8.1.C(9))

Undergraduate part-time students may be designated for Academic Recognition for Part-Time Students at the end of the fall and spring terms. The Academic Recognition for Part-Time Student’s designation is based on a student’s total course registrations for academic credit for the term from any South Dakota regental university. The Academic Recognition for Part-Time Students designation does not appear on the transcript.

The following criteria must be met to be awarded Academic Recognition for Part-Time Students designation:

1. Students must have completed at least 12 credit hours prior to the current semester at one or more South Dakota regental institutions;
2. Students must have earned at least 3 and up to 11 credit hours during the term in courses numbered 100-699;
3. Students must have achieved a system term GPA of at least 3.50; and
4. Students must have no F, I, U, RI, or RU grades for the term regardless of system term GPA attained.

Students who receive an IP grade must meet all criteria without consideration of the course in which the IP grade was assigned.

Graduation with Honors

The University of South Dakota encourages and recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement. Therefore, the University determines the scholastic honors, if any, to be awarded with a degree. Announcement of such honors is made on the diploma on the official transcript.

Baccalaureate Degree

Graduation honors are awarded on the following basis:

The undergraduate student must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours at the institution granting the degree. Courses that are part of a formal collaborative agreement among Regental universities are considered to be earned from the institution granting the degree. (Also refer to BOR Policy 2.6.1)

Associate Degree

Graduation honors are awarded on the following basis:

In addition, students must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at the degree-granting institution.

University Scholar and Thesis Scholar     

The designation of University Scholar has been specified by the University Senate as the highest honor granted to an undergraduate at the University of South Dakota. A University Scholar must complete the Honors Program Curriculum, including an Honors thesis, and have a cumulative USD grade point average of at least 3.25. The designation of Thesis Scholar is an honor bestowed upon an undergraduate who completes 9-15 credits of Honors coursework, an Honors thesis, and has a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. Both designations require admission to the University Honors Program.

Honor Societies

Phi Beta Kappa

Founded in 1776, this organization is the best-known and most prestigious academic honorary society. Alpha Chapter at USD is the only chapter at a South Dakota private or public college or university. Students are elected to membership as juniors or seniors based on high scholastic achievement and completion of a liberal education, including one semester of calculus; one semester of study of western civilization or world civilizations or Honors Interdisciplinary Civilization; one year of a non-English language; one year of study of laboratory science; two courses at the 300 or 400 level of Social Sciences. The chapter hosts the annual Lifto Amundson Phi Beta Kappa Lecture. For more information contact chapter offices through the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office at 677-5221, visit the chapter website or e-mail the chapter at pbk@usd.edu.

National Society of Collegiate Scholars

NSCS recognizes high achievement among first and second year students in all academic disciplines; to encourage and promote high standards throughout the collegiate experience; to provide opportunities for personal growth and leadership development for members; to organize and encourage learning opportunities through community service. Membership is by invitation and only those students meeting the following criteria may be elected: be a first or second year student at the time of affirmation; completed at least 12 hours but no more than 60 hours of coursework; attain at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Learn more at the National Society of Collegiate Scholors.

Departmental and Professional Honors Societies

A number of honor societies and honorary organizations exist on campus for students in specific fields of study or interests. For information about these societies, contact your academic discipline or department. 

Future catalog sections: 

• Graduation Policies and Procedures

• Minimum Graduation Standards