Academic Recognition of Deceased Students - Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Oakland University reserves the award of academic degrees to persons who have met all requirements for the completion of those degrees, except in the instances of Honorary Degrees that are awarded solely upon the authority of the Board of Trustees of the University.

It may be requested of the University that academic recognition be bestowed posthumously to a deceased student who did not complete degree requirements and who did not meet the prescribed criteria for an honorary degree. In such a circumstance, the University may, upon request of the family, spouse or significant other of the subject student and upon approval of the appropriate dean, confer a degree, if the deceased student had met the requirements as set forth below.

BACCALAUREATE DEGREE STUDENT: To be eligible for this University recognition, a deceased student who, at the time of termination of study, was pursuing a Bachelor Degree, shall have met a minimum of 90 percent of the requirements in each published category: general education, departmental, college/school, University.

MASTER'S DEGREE STUDENT: To be eligible for this University recognition, a deceased student who, at the time of termination of study, was pursuing a master's degree, shall have met a minimum of:

a) Successful completion, when applicable, of comprehensive examinations, and 90 percent of required credit hours in every published curricular category in programs that do not require a master's degree thesis; or,

b) Successful completion, when applicable, of comprehensive examinations, 100 percent of credit hours in every published curricular category, faculty acceptance of a thesis topic and demonstrable progress on thesis research in programs requiring a thesis.

DOCTORAL DEGREE STUDENT: To be eligible for this University recognition, a deceased student who, at the time of termination of study, was pursuing a doctoral degree, shall have met a minimum of 100 percent of requirements in every published category, preliminary or comprehensive examinations, faculty acceptance of dissertation topic, and demonstrable progress on dissertation research.

The commencement program will list the degree candidate with an asterisk and the word “Posthumously” at the bottom of the page. The degree candidate’s parents, spouse or significant other will be invited to attend the commencement ceremony and accept the diploma cover when the student’s name is called. The diploma will note that the degree was awarded posthumously.

The academic record will be marked “Degree conferred posthumously”. A copy of the academic record will be released, if requested, to an attorney representing the estate of the deceased student.