Graduation Requirements

A student may qualify for an associate degree, certificate, or diploma if they have satisfactorily:

1. Completed work in their curriculum as described in either the a.) Entry College Catalog—the catalog in effect during the first semester of a student’s latest unbroken enrollment period; or b.) Exit College Catalog—the catalog in effect during the semester in which a student completes graduation requirements. Failure to attend a summer session does not constitute a break in enrollment.
   
   Change of College Catalog
   For a student who changes majors, the entry College Catalog becomes the catalog in effect the semester in which the student changed to the current major during the student’s latest unbroken enrollment period. The student who changes majors has the option of utilizing the new entry College Catalog or the exit College Catalog. However, to fulfill graduation requirements, a student also has the option to request a change to any catalog that was in effect during their enrollment for up to five years prior to graduation, providing the degree, certificate, or technical diploma program has not been terminated and all remaining courses are still offered at the College.  If a student requests a change in College Catalog under which the student may fulfill graduation requirements, the student must meet the requirements and follow the procedures outlined below:
   
   Requirements for a Catalog Change
   A change of College Catalog must be approved by the student’s advisor and division dean. The Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs must also approve requests to use catalogs over five years old where there has been a break in enrollment.
   
   Procedures to Change Catalog
   If a student wishes to request a change of College Catalog for graduation requirements, the student must complete a Request for Change of College Catalog for Degree or Certificate Requirements Form, Form 1413/002. This form must be signed by the student’s advisor and division dean. The signature of the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs is required for requests to use a catalog over five years old where there has been break in enrollment.
    
2. Earned at least a “C” in each required major course and has an overall grade point average of 2.0 on all courses used toward the degree or certificate as well as a cumulative average of “C” in courses taken at Delgado Community College. A student who earns an “F” in a required course (“D” or “F” in a major course) must repeat the course. No substitution may be made nor may the course be taken at another institution and transferred to Delgado. (The last grade earned is the official grade in any repeated course.)
3. Earned at least 25 percent of the semester hours required for the degree/certificate through instruction offered at Delgado. (Non-traditional credits awarded by Delgado may not be used to meet this requirement.)
4. Nine credits must be in courses required in the major (those courses in which a minimum grade of “C” is required). Individual programs may have additional residency requirements; students should check with their academic advisor.
5. Only three (3) prior learning (non-traditional) credit hours may be earned after the student enrolls for any of the final 12 hours of credit toward a degree or certificate.
6. Used no more than a total of 24 credit hours from prior learning (non-traditional) sources to meet certificate/degree requirements.
7. Earned no more than one-third of the credits needed in required major courses from prior learning (non-traditional) sources.
8. Completed at least the number of credits stipulated in the degree/certificate program. In cases where programs are revised and a course is no longer available, completion of the total number of credit hours required in the curriculum as listed in the catalog being followed is mandatory; however, an appropriate substitution may be made.
9. Received in writing through all administrative channels approval for any deviation from the curriculum, as stated in the catalog being followed. Students are reminded that they may not receive credit for a lower-level course in a sequence after earning credit in the higher level course. 
10. Made application for graduation by the deadlines published in the Academic Calendar. (Note: Upon completion of the requirements for a Certificate that is embedded within an Associate Degree program, the College automatically documents the award on the student’s transcript.) 
11. Fulfilled all other obligations and regulations including financial obligations to the College prior to established dates. Financial aid recipients who have student loans must attend an exit interview before they will be allowed to participate in graduation or receive their diplomas. Students should contact the office of Student Financial Assistance for details.

Students who have completed program requirements but have not applied for graduation before registering for the final semester of attendance will have (10) years from the last semester of attendance to apply for graduation, except in cases where the program has been cancelled.  Students who are not currently enrolled at Delgado but who have completed all program requirements in a non-declared major may be allowed to change their major effective the semester in which they are applying for graduation.  A $100 late graduation fee will be charged.  The degree will be awarded within the semester in which the student applies for graduation, and a program completion date will also be noted on the diploma.

Requirements for a Second Degree or Certificate

A student must meet all graduation requirements for the second degree or certificate and must earn at least an additional nine semester hours for a second certificate or 15 semester hours for a second associate degree in the second major. These hours cannot have been applied toward the first degree or first certificate. In addition, an official declaration of major must be on file in the Office of the Registrar by the 14th day of a semester and prior to applying for a second degree or certificate so that the appropriate catalog requirements can be determined.

In degree programs where there are several concentrations, a different concentration is not considered a second degree and a degree may not be earned twice. Options do qualify as separate degrees.

Students with Discontinued Major

Any student who has completed 50 percent of the required courses in a major that is no longer available may be allowed to transfer credits from another institution of higher education into Delgado Community College to complete the degree requirements. The student must complete the requirements in a reasonable time period after the program has been discontinued, as approved by the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. Students in discontinued majors will be allowed to complete their major at Delgado provided the necessary courses are offered at Delgado or through cross-enrollment, or if appropriate substitutes are approved and the student continues their enrollment without missing a fall or spring semester. Students will not be readmitted to complete discontinued majors. Currently enrolled students in the major that is being discontinued will be notified and offered advising about their options.

Transfer and Re-Entry Students

Transcripts will be evaluated during the first semester for students seeking transferable credits. In order for an evaluation to be made and transfer credits applied toward graduation requirements, an official copy of each transcript must be on file in the Office of the Registrar. The transferring student may be required to provide Delgado Community College with a copy of the catalog from each of the other institutions attended by the student.

Graduation with Distinction Associate Degree Recipients

Students with the highest academic achievement are designated as Chancellor’s Honor Graduates. Their academic record must consist of (1) a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.8 on the college work attempted at Delgado Community College (excluding work on which academic amnesty has been declared); (2) a minimum of 45 credit hours at Delgado Community College; and (3) completion of the final 15 semester hours in required courses at Delgado Community College.

In order to receive the distinction of Honor Graduate, the student’s academic record must consist of (1) a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 on the college work attempted at Delgado Community College (excluding work on which academic amnesty has been declared); (2) a minimum of 45 semester hours at Delgado Community College; and (3) completion of 12 of the final 15 semester hours in required courses at Delgado Community College.


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