Posthumous Degree

Posthumous Degree

To recognize the academic achievement of students who have passed away prior to completing all degree requirements, a Posthumous Degree may be awarded to the student with the approval of the provost. A family member of the deceased may contact the Registrar’s Office to begin the

process of requesting either a Posthumous Degree or an In Memoriam degree. Posthumous degrees may be awarded after a student has completed 50% of their coursework towards degree.

Procedure

To request a Posthumous or In Memoriam degree for an Excelsior student, a family member of the deceased should contact the Registrar’s Office at records@excelsior.edu to initiate the request. A copy of the student’s death certificate should accompany the request. Excelsior University’s provost will review the request and make the decision to award a posthumous or in memoriam degree or not.

Posthumous Degree

A posthumous degree recognizes academic work completed by a student who has made significant progress toward the completion of a degree. A posthumous degree is included in the official count of degrees, is reported and recorded to the student’s academic record, and reflected on a transcript as an officially completed degree. A student who passes away while enrolled and pursuing a degree may be considered for a posthumous degree by the provost using the following as guidelines:

  1. The student was enrolled in a degree program at the time of their death.
  2. The student was in good academic standing at the time of death.
  3. The student had completed 50% of their coursework toward their degree.
  4. The student completed Excelsior courses.
  5. The student’s grade point average at the time of death in relation to GPA graduation requirements.
  6. The student did not have disciplinary sanctions pending.
  7. The student’s death was not the result or coincident with illegal activity.

Commencement Ceremony: Family members interested in participating in a commencement ceremony should reach out to the Commencement Office at commencement@excelsior.edu. Posthumously awarded degree students will not receive a standard invitation to participate in the ceremony.

In Memoriam Degree

An In Memoriam degree allows for recognition of a student’s connection to Excelsior regardless of their progress toward completion of degree requirements. An In Memoriam degree is not included in the official count of degrees, is not reported nor recorded to the student’s academic record, and is not reflected on a transcript. A student who passes away while enrolled and pursuing a degree may be considered for an In Memoriam degree by the provost using the following as guidelines:

  1. The student was enrolled in a degree program at the time of their death.
  2. The student was in good academic standing at the time of death.
  3. The student completed Excelsior courses.
  4. The student did not have disciplinary sanctions pending.
  5. The student’s death was not the result or coincident with illegal activity.

Commencement Ceremony: Family members interested in participating in a commencement ceremony should reach out to the Commencement Office at commencement@excelsior.edu. In Memoriam degrees students will not receive a standard invitation to participate in the ceremony.