Southern Arkansas University Tech

Graduation Requirements

For graduation with a certificate or an associate degree, a student must have completed the established number of credit hours in an approved program with an accumulated grade point average of at least 2.00 on all specific program courses and a 2.00 overall grade point average. Fifteen (15) hours must be taken from SAU Tech, excluding basic skills courses. Other requirements include:

Applying for Graduation

The ultimate responsibility for completion of a degree/certificate program rests with the student. Lack of knowledge or misinterpretation of policies and regulations by students does not absolve them from fulfilling the requirements of a degree/certificate.

SAU Tech has one commencement ceremony each May. Students who complete their graduation requirements in August or December will participate in the annual spring commencement ceremony. A student who plans an August or December graduation must apply no later than the last day to register for the summer or fall terms.

Applying for graduation includes:

• Completing the application for graduation form(s) with an advisor;
• Paying the graduation fee at the Business Office when other semester fees are paid. The graduation fee must be paid by the following dates: October 31 for December graduation, February 28 for May graduation, and July 31 for August graduation. The fee must be paid for the application to be complete and the graduation fee is non refundable; and
• Settling all financial and other obligations with the college.

Failure to complete any step of this process may result in postponement of the student's graduation. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor on a regular basis to ensure that all graduation requirements are being met.

Candidates for degrees/certificates must participate in the commencement exercises unless excused by the Registrar. A candidate who fails to graduate on the date stated on the initial application for graduation must complete a new application form and pay the graduation fee during the semester or term in which the degree/certificate will be completed.

Honor Graduate

In order to be an honor graduate, a student must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of college-level course work at SAU Tech as well as meet one of the three following criteria based upon all college-level work attempted at SAU Tech:

Honor students are entitled to wear an honor cord during graduation. For further information regarding honor cord eligibility, contact the Registrar's Office. Prior to commencement, academically superior students are recognized at a special honors convocation and awards ceremony.