The Award of a Credential

The University awards the following degree levels: associate, bachelor, and master. Additionally, program of study certificates are awarded at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Definition of Credential

The degree or certificate is an academic credential. A credential is awarded when national and state regulations are met as well as stated degree requirements and/or academic program requirements. The  credential is issued as a diploma or certificate and on an academic transcript.

Credential Completion Statute of Limitations

A student must satisfy a program’s requirements  with a declared catalog year that is no more than 150% of the degree length as defined by the federal government in credit hours. For example, a student enrolled in a four-year program must follow requirements listed in a catalog year within 6 years at the time of the credential completion.  Programs leading to licensure or is governed by specialized accreditation may require a declared catalog within fewer years, in addition to retaking outdated courses.

Graduation

Graduation is the completion of all credential requirements as recorded on the official transcript.  

Conferral

Conferral, also known as credential completion, is evaluated on a rolling basis and once completion is certified, the completion date will be recorded on the student record. Coursework deadlines are the last day of the semester/term. The posted credential award date is the last day of the semester or term. Credentials are distributed at the close of each semester or graduate term.  For further information on the required outstanding coursework and credential distribution, please contact the Office of the Registrar. No credential shall be conferred, or awarded until the Registrar’s Office verifies that all requirements are met.

The Registrar, in conjunction with the President and the approval of the Board of Trustees, awards credentials. An act deemed by the University as egregious can result in the act of revoking a conferred credential or the conferral of a credential. The Registrar, in conjunction with the President and the approval of the Board of Trustees, awards credentials. An act deemed egregious can result in the act of revoking a conferred credential or the conferral of a credential.

Graduation Application

A graduation application is required for each certificate and/or degree and major sought. An application for program completion during the spring or summer term is due October 1, and the fall or winter term is due March 1. At the time of application, a graduation fee will be assessed. A candidate with an active application who communicates with the Registrar’s Office they must defer to a future end term, will have the application carried forward for no more than one semester or term. Thereafter, the application will become inactive requiring a new application and fee assessment.

Diploma/Certificate

The diploma and/or certificate (8.5" x 11") is a commemoration of achievement. Official certification is posted on the official transcript or through the certification service of the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). An electronic diploma or certificate that is released with a date stamp released by the Registrar's Office is also considered an official document.

The diploma is printed with the degree, major, and, when applicable, Latin Honor. For an eligible student, the Military College of Vermont (MCV) designation will be labeled on the diploma. The certificate is printed with the certificate program name. The printed student name is taken from the graduation application. Most often, this is the student’s legal name; however, an alternate name may be given. The University reserves the right to deny a non-legal name.

Commencement

Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not confirm that a student has earned a credential. At the conclusion of the spring semester, there is one commencement ceremony. A degree-seeking student  with an active graduation application for the current academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer) is invited to participate in Commencement. Participation may be revoked when a summer graduate course load is greater than a typical semester, assessed by the Office of the Registrar. Or, when the student has pending disciplinary action to be cleared by the Provost, and when applicable in conjunction with the Vice President for Student Affairs. A candidate for graduation is eligible to walk once per degree. A degree recipient who did not participate may request to participate in a future ceremony. Additional procedures are listed on the Registrar’s SharePoint site or Registrar’s website.

Latin Honors (refer to Academic Honors)

Posthumous Degree

A request for a posthumous degree is initiated by a person associated with the deceased, to the Registrar. This is usually a family member, but the academic department of the student can initiate it in accordance with the wishes/support of the family. The request must be approved by the Department Chair/School Director, the College Dean, and Provost.

Undergraduate degree:

• At the time of death, the student was enrolled in courses, successfully progressing toward the requirements for the degree, or nearing completion of the work required to award the degree. Or,

• The student was in good academic standing.

Graduate degree:

• At the time of death, the graduate student was nearing successful completion of the work required for the degree.

• The student was in good standing.

If the posthumous degree is approved, the Registrar shall notify the College Dean who will notify the family to inquire if a family member wishes to attend Commencement Exercises to receive the posthumous degree.

• If the family wishes to attend Commencement, the Dean will inform them to contact the Registrar.

• The Registrar will provide instructions to the family on how they will receive the degree at Commencement.

The posthumous degree will be so noted after the deceased student’s name in the Commencement Program. The Registrar shall note, but not post, the degree to the deceased student’s official transcript with the notation; “Degree Awarded Posthumously”. The Registrar shall ensure that grades of W (withdrawn) are entered for all courses the deceased was enrolled in at the time of his/her death.