Graduation
Degrees are awarded three times a year: August 31 for students completing their degree requirements during the summer; February 1 for students completing their requirements during the fall semester, and at the annual May commencement ceremony on the date designated in the university academic calendar. Students who anticipate completing degree requirements the following August, February or May should submit an “Application for Graduation" through the commencement community page on the myCanisius portal by the deadlines shown below:
| If your requirements will be completed: | Application for Graduation due by: | Your diploma will be available: |
|---|---|---|
| In May | December 15 | At May Commencement |
| In August | August 1 | Approximately August 31 |
| In December | December 2 | Approximately February 1 |
To qualify for the degree of bachelor of arts or bachelor of science, a candidate must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, the core curriculum requirements and all requirements of the major. To qualify for the degree of associate of arts, a candidate must complete satisfactorily 20 three-or four-credit hour courses and a minimum of 60 credit hours.
Satisfactory completion of requirements means that the candidate has maintained the grade point average indicated in the section on Academic Standing and has completed all general and departmental requirements as outlined in this catalog.
Students who owe a balance to the college may be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies. However, a student will not receive a diploma until all accounts are settled.
A student who completes the degree requirements in August or December and wishes to obtain their diploma before the next commencement should call or visit the Student Records and Financial Services Center after August 31 or February 1. Each student’s name should be submitted to the Center exactly as the student wishes it to appear on the diploma.
A fee of $100.00 will be assessed to reprint a diploma if the student wishes to have a different name appear on the diploma than the name submitted.
Graduation Honors
Only students who have completed the last 60 credit hours of academic work at Canisius University are eligible to graduate with honors. The Canisius University cumulative grade point average (truncated at two decimal points) determines graduation with honors according to the following scale:
- Degree is awarded summa cum laude to those whose average is 3.80 or higher.
- Degree is awarded magna cum laude to those whose average is 3.65 or higher.
- Degree is awarded cum laude to those whose average is 3.45 or higher.
