Candidates for a baccalaureate degree must have completed the equivalent of four years of college work, during which they must have completed a course of study averaging sixteen hours a week. Translated into credits, this means a minimum of 124 credit hours including a student’s major field of study. In addition, to qualify for a degree, each candidate must have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 and a 2.00 grade point average in the declared major and minor fields of study. Although academic advisors and the Registrar's assist students in course selection and registration, it is the responsibility of each student to see that he or she fulfills all degree requirements. Candidates for degrees must apply for graduation. Graduate and Professional Studies candidates can apply on myConnect for the individual program.
A student who seeks a baccalaureate degree from Waynesburg University must, in addition to meeting other requirements at the University, earn a minimum of 45 credits at the University through on-campus instruction. This must include 12 hours of upper-level courses in the department of the declared major. Not less than 18 of the last 30 semester hours of college work must be completed on the Waynesburg campus.
A maximum of two major courses of study is permitted, if all requirements (see departmental major requirements) are met and not prohibited by departmental regulations. For example, students may not choose two major courses of study in business administration programs (accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, forensic accounting, business management, marketing, sports management). In any case, only one baccalaureate degree is awarded upon the completion of one hundred twenty-four semester hours and one or two major courses of study.
The University will permit a student to acquire a concurrent second baccalaureate degree, provided that he or she: (1) pursues a different degree (e.g., a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration), (2) meets all University and departmental requirements (credits earned for the first degree may be applied, if suitable, toward the second degree), and (3) completes a minimum of 155 semester hours. Prior to undertaking the second degree, the student must have his or her accumulated credits evaluated and the second-degree program approved in writing by the appropriate department chairpersons. See the curriculum section on Nursing for the special program of earning a second degree in nursing for someone who has already completed a bachelor’s degree.
Students who complete their baccalaureate degree requirements within seven years following admission to Waynesburg University will qualify for the degree by fulfilling the requirements in the catalog in effect at the time of their first enrollment, or any of the subsequent catalogs within six years. Students who do not complete their baccalaureate degree requirements within the first seven years must project their graduation date and fulfill the catalog requirements in effect during any of the four years immediately preceding graduation. Transfer students must fulfill the catalog requirements in effect at their matriculation.
Residency requirements must be satisfied for each degree. Credits from a baccalaureate degree may not be used to satisfy residency credit or degree requirements for a master’s degree. Likewise, credits from a master’s degree may not be used to satisfy residency credit or degree requirements for a doctoral degree.
Students are required to make settlement of all financial obligations to the University, and no transcripts will be issued until all such obligations are satisfactorily met.
Graduates conferring their degree during the summer or fall semester will have their diplomas mailed to the home address on file with the Registrar's Office. Spring semester graduates may pick up their diploma in the Office of Records and Registration at a time to be specified. Diplomas not picked up will be mailed to the home address. Those who find it impossible to attend the Commencement ceremony must be excused by the President of the University.