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Students seeking conferral of an undergraduate certificate or bachelor’s degree at Fort Lewis College must meet curricular, academic achievement, and residency requirements. Exceptions to curricular requirements may be made through the Exceptions to Graduation Requirements process. Applications for certificate and diploma conferral may be made at the beginning of each semester. Those approved for conferral of a degree may participate in that semester’s commencement ceremonies.
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Applying for Graduation
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Once a student has registered for the final courses to fulfill degree or certificate requirements, the student may submit the Application for Graduation form to the Registrar’s Office.
If a student is completing requirements for a double major, the student must list both majors. If a student is completing requirements for a dual degree, the student must submit two applications.
The deadline for submitting the application for fall and spring degrees is the Census Date of the semester in which the student is planning to complete degree requirements. A student completing a degree in summer must submit the form by Census Date of the spring semester. The Registrar’s Office will review the application and notify the student of the decision within seven weeks from the Census Date. If the application is approved, the graduation fee will be posted to the student’s account. Students pursuing a dual degree must pay a graduation fee for each degree.
A student may appeal if the application for graduation is denied. The appeal deadline will be the last business day of March for the spring degree candidates, the last business day of July for the summer degree candidates, and the Friday before the Thanksgiving break in November for the fall degree candidates. In the appeal, the student must provide documentation of how all missing degree requirements will be completed by the end of the semester indicated on the application. If the appeal is denied, the student must submit a new application in a subsequent semester.
Commencement at Fort Lewis College is both a celebratory and solemn occasion that recognizes and honors a major life passage for the institution’s graduates. Commencement ceremonies are held twice per year: one in December following the fall semester, and one in late April or early May following the spring semester. A student with an approved Application for Graduation for spring and summer may participate in the April/May commencement ceremony. Those approved for fall may participate in the December commencement ceremony. A student may participate in only one of the commencement ceremonies. See the Registrar’s Office website for commencement information.
Certificates may be awarded to students pursuing an initial bachelor’s degree or students seeking a certificate. A maximum of two certificates may be awarded. If a student is pursuing award of a certificate as part of their baccalaureate degree program, the curriculum requirements must be completed prior to the award of the degree.
A double major is defined as completing the requirements of two different majors simultaneously, resulting in the awarding of either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Students may be awarded a double major if they have earned at least 27 discrete credits between the first major and the second major.
A dual degree is defined as completing the requirements of two different majors simultaneously, resulting in the awarding of both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree. Students pursuing a dual degree are not subject to any special conditions.
Exceptions to Graduation Requirements
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It is the student’s responsibility to review degree and certificate requirements and to meet with academic advisors. A request for an Exception to Graduation Requirements may be initiated by the student, an academic advisor, or a departmental faculty member for curriculum substitutions and waivers when necessary. If approved, the chair (or appropriate program director) and dean or designee must notify the Registrar’s Office at gradcheck@fortlewis.edu. The student will be notified via email when the request is processed by the Registrar’s Office.
Requirements for Candidates Seeking Initial Bachelor’s Degree
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Each candidate for a first bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 120 credits (additional credits are required in selected majors). Among the minimum of 120 credits, a minimum of 36 credits must be upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
All curricular requirements for the Liberal Arts Core and at least one major must be met. Many students choose to use free electives to complete the requirements for a certificate, minor or teacher licensure.
Students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for those courses accepted to meet the requirements for the major, a certificate or minor.
A minimum of 30 credits must be completed at Fort Lewis College. College-sponsored off-campus academic experiences are considered “in residence.”
Minors
Minors, though not required, may be awarded to students pursuing an initial bachelor’s degree. A maximum of two minors may be awarded. Students must have earned at least 12 credits discrete from any major or minor for the award of a minor. If a student is pursuing award of a minor as part of their baccalaureate degree program, the curriculum requirements must be completed prior to the award of the degree.
Certificates may be awarded to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. A maximum of two certificates may be awarded. If a student is pursuing award of a certificate as part of their baccalaureate degree program, the curriculum requirements must be completed prior to the award of the degree.
Requirements for Candidates Seeking a Second Bachelor’s Degree
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Students who have earned a first bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited institution (including Fort Lewis College) may pursue a second bachelor’s degree.
All curricular requirements for the Liberal Arts Core must be met unless the candidate has an earned Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. All curricular requirements for at least one major must be met. Students who have previously completed a certificate or minor while attending any institution (including Fort Lewis College) may select that field of study for a major. Students may pursue a double major, dual degree, certificate, or minor, subject to the same conditions that apply to student’s seeking an initial bachelor’s degree.
Students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for those courses accepted to meet the requirements for the major and any certificate or minor.
Each candidate for a second bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 30 additional new credits at Fort Lewis College.
No honors will be awarded for a second bachelor’s degree.
Requirements for Candidates Seeking an Undergraduate Certificate
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Candidates for award of an undergraduate certificate independent of the award of a baccalaureate degree must complete all curricular requirements for the certificate, achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for those courses accepted to meet the requirements for the certificate, and complete at least 50% of the credits required for the certificate at Fort Lewis College.
No honors will be awarded for certificates.
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs selects four student marshals for the spring commencement and two student marshals for the fall commencement. Only students admitted as bachelor degree-seeking first-time first-year students are eligible for the honor. Selection is based on highest cumulative grade point average, and, in cases of ties, diversity of academic programs.
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