Graduation Requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree are required to complete a minimum of 122 credit hours and earn at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. All dual programs require more than 122 credit hours and may take more than four years to complete.
Commencement Honors
Commencement honors are awarded to those students who have attained one of the following cumulative GPAs:
- Cum Laude - awarded to students who earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4
- Magna Cum Laude - awarded to students who earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6
- Summa Cum Laude - awarded to students who earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.8
A minimum of 60 graded credit hours must be completed at Syracuse University to be eligible for commencement honors. This means that students who transfer from other colleges or universities and receive more than 60 transfer credits may not be eligible for commencement honors unless they take extra credits.
Diploma Request and Certification
Syracuse University awards degrees four times a year (December, May, June and August). You must file your Diploma Request on MySlice during the semester before your planned graduation. You will not be certified as a Syracuse University graduate until all of your degree requirements have been completed (including community service and internship). Check with your Whitman academic advisor to verify your graduation status.
"Walking" in Commencement When All Requirements Are Not Completed
If it is reasonable to assume that you will complete degree requirements in summer sessions immediately following May Commencement (fewer than 12 credits), you may participate in commencement activities. If you are graduating in December, have fewer than 18 credits remaining and will be unable to return to Syracuse for the following May Commencement, you can petition the University to participate in the May ceremony before you complete your requirements. Petitions must be approved by the Whitman School Undergraduate Office at least one month before commencement activities.