Graduation Requirements and Commencement
Graduation Requirements
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College offers courses of study leading to one of the following undergraduate degrees: bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, associate in arts and associate in science. Each degree requires a basic group of prescribed courses (Woods Core) and a specialization in one or more areas (major). Students must successfully complete 120 credit hours and achieve a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 in order to earn a bachelor’s degree. The degree requirements are based on the catalog year of the student’s entry to the college. In addition, students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in their major and minor coursework, unless the specific major or minor requires a higher GPA. To be eligible for an associate degree, students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0. In addition, students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in their major coursework.
To earn a degree from SMWC, a minimum of 30 credit hours for the bachelor’s degree, and 18 credit hours for the associate degree, must be earned at the College. No more than 9 of the final 18 credit hours toward graduation may be taken at another institution. Refer to departments or specific program requirements for any credit hour requirement for minors or concentrations.
Full-time students seeking a bachelor’s degree must complete all degree requirements within six years of the first date of enrollment; for the associate degree, within three years. Part-time students seeking a bachelor’s degree must complete all degree requirements within 12 years of first enrollment; for the associate degree, within six years. The time is calculated based on time attended.
Commencement Ceremony
Undergraduate degrees are awarded in March, May, July, September and December. The College conducts one official commencement ceremony in May.
Commencement Academic Regalia Policy
Graduates participating in commencement ceremonies shall wear the cap and gown appropriate to the degree credential they are currently being recognized for, even if a higher degree credential was previously achieved.
GUERIN SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Students who successfully complete the Guerin Scholars program at SMWC will be recognized with a silver medal on a ribbon with the words GUERIN SCHOLAR on one side and the academic seal on the other. The Commencement program will explain the scholars program requirements and list the graduates who have completed this prestigious program.
LATIN HONORS
Associate Degree
SMWC will recognize undergraduate associate degree students who have earned a 3.50 With Honors designation with one navy blue honor cord to wear for the Commencement ceremony over their black gowns.
Baccalaureate Degree
SMWC will recognize undergraduate baccalaureate students who have earned Latin Honors with Pomeroy blue honor cords to wear for the Commencement ceremony over their black gowns:
- For 3.50 to 3.74 cum laude honors, students will wear a single Pomeroy blue honor cord
- For 3.75 to 3.89 magna cum laude honors, students will wear a double Pomeroy blue honor cord
- For 3.90 to 4.00 summa cum laude honors, students will wear a triple Pomeroy blue honor cord
Master’s Degree
SMWC will recognize graduate students who have earned a cumulative 3.95 GPA or higher “With Honors” with a triple white honor cords to wear for the Commencement ceremony over their black gowns.
HONORS SOCIETIES
SMWC will allow students to wear stoles for the honors society of which they are members and which are recognized by the College. The College curently has an honors society in our Nursing and English programs, and the Education students are invited to be members of the Indiana State Education Association (ISEA). Students can purchase whatever they would like as far as honors society “garb”. However, at commencement, students will only be permitted to wear the corresponding honor stoles.
MORTARBOARD HATS
Students are allowed to decorate their purchased caps to be worn at the commencement ceremony.