Graduation
A student at East Stroudsburg University must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in order to graduate (individual departments may, however, stipulate higher graduation requirements), complete the general education requirements and competencies requirements, and file an intent to graduate request. Intent to graduate requests may be directed to the Student Enrollment Center. Priority processing deadlines for applying for graduation are November 1 for May graduation, and April 1 for August and December graduation. The university holds three commencement exercises during the academic year, one at the end of the fall semester and two at the end of the spring semester. Students with only an outstanding required internship that will be completed during the summer may participate in the spring ceremony. Students graduating in August may participate in the December ceremony.
The official degree conferral/graduation date is posted on the student’s permanent record (transcript) as the semester when all degree requirements have been completed and confirmed by the Registrar or her designee.
Graduation Honors
In order to qualify for graduation honors, (the only honors other than the University Leadership Award to be announced at commencement exercises), a student must have completed at East Stroudsburg University 60 credits in which the letter grades of A, A–, B+, B, B–, C+, C, C–, D or E are assigned. Students who have the appropriate grade point average at the time the honor’s designation is determined, and who will have met the 60-credit minimum once the final semester is completed, will be granted graduation honors as follows:
| Summa Cum Laude |
Cumulative quality point average 3.8 or above |
| Magna Cum Laude |
Cumulative quality point average 3.6 to 3.799 |
| Cum Laude |
Cumulative quality point average 3.4 to 3.599 |
Graduation honors are based on all work completed at East Stroudsburg University by March 15 of the academic year for May commencement, and by November 1 for December commencement. The official university transcript will carry the appropriate honors designation based on all work completed at the university.
Graduation Residency Requirement
All first baccalaureate degree students will take at least 30 of their last 45 credits at East Stroudsburg University. At least 50 percent of major requirements must be completed at a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education university.
Active Duty Service Members Exception
For active duty service members, the academic residency requirement will not exceed 25 percent of the undergraduate degree program. If the undergraduate degree is available 100 percent online, the academic residency requirements will not exceed 30 percent of the undergraduate degree program.
With the exception of specific course areas such as majors, the academic residency requirements for active duty service members will not include “final year” or “final semester” requirements. In addition, each program is expected to confirm with their respective accrediting agencies the allowable flexibility in order to meet the needs of active duty service members.
Simultaneous Dual Degrees
Students wishing to earn dual degrees (both a bachelor of science and a bachelor of arts) must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours while completing all requirements for multiple majors and the general education competencies.
Students meeting all of the requirements of two majors with less than 150 credit hours can obtain a multiple major designation. In the case of a double major, if the two majors involve multiple degree designations (e.g., B.A. in English and B.S. in Psychology), the student will have the option to select only one degree designation that appears on the transcript and diploma.
Second Degrees
A student who is already the recipient of a baccalaureate degree (either from East Stroudsburg University or from a different regionally accredited university) who wishes to pursue an additional undergraduate field will be required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at East Stroudsburg University including the requirements for the major. The program of study for the additional degree is to be approved by the appropriate department chair and appropriate academic dean.