Policy 3.09
Program Graduation Requirements
Part 1. Purpose
To ensure that students successfully complete all program requirements and comply with Minnesota State and Minneapolis College program guidelines.
Part 2. General Requirements
Minneapolis College grants Associate of Arts degrees, Associate of Science degrees, Associate of Applied Science degrees, Associate of Fine Arts degrees, along with diplomas and certificates. As provided in Minneapolis College Policy 3.03, a student must successfully complete all requirements established by the program and meet all requirements established in this policy to graduate from Minneapolis College.
Grade Point Average
A student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher for all college-level coursework that is required for the specific program.
Graduation Application
A student must submit a completed online graduation application by the published deadline. Graduation applications received after the published deadline will be processed at the discretion of the Registrar’s office. If it is determined that a student has met the requirements for a degree, diploma, or certificate, Minneapolis College reserves the right to post completions to the students' academic record upon verification that all degree requirements have been satisfied.
A student with a 3.5 or higher GPA at the time a degree (not diploma or certificate) is conferred, the "With Honors" distinction is added to the degree notation on their academic transcript.
Students who wish to rescind a graduation application must do so in writing before the end of the term they have applied for.
Catalog Requirement Eligibility
Students may graduate under the requirements as published in the college catalog that are in effect at the time the degree, diploma, or certificate is certified; or under the requirements in effect for any of the previous four academic years, provided they were enrolled for at least one course from the program during the academic year they are following requirements for.
Students whose initial enrollment in a program was more than four years prior may graduate under the requirements in effect at the time they began their program at Minneapolis College if the course or credit options exist to meet any outstanding program requirements.
For new programs or program changes, graduation will be posted at the end of the semester under which the catalog has taken effect.
Students must meet the requirements from one college catalog; program requirements may not be combined from more than one catalog year.
Financial Obligations
A student must meet all financial obligations to the college and have no financial holds to be eligible for graduation from Minneapolis college.
Part 3. Residency Requirements of Credits Earned at Minneapolis College
Degree Programs
A student who is seeking a degree from the College must earn a minimum of 20 credits at Minneapolis College to earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree from the College.
Diploma and Certificate Programs
A student must earn a minimum of one-third of the credits required by the program at Minneapolis College to earn a diploma or certificate from the College.
Transferring Students
A student who is transferring from another institution within the Minnesota State Colleges and University system or the University of Minnesota must earn a minimum of 12 credits at Minneapolis College to earn an associate of arts degree from the College.
Owner(s) Title: Vice President of Academic Affairs
Date of Adoption: 3/31/2005
Date of Implementation (if different from adoption date): N/A
Date Last Amended: 3/24/2022
History and Subject of Revisions: 3/24/2022 (Comprehensive review and update. Addition of or changes to GPA requirements, graduation application, addition of catalog requirement eligibility)
Regulatory Authority (e.g. Minnesota State policy, federal or state law): Minneapolis College policy 3.03 Degrees, Diploma’s and Certificates, Minnesota State Board policy 3.36 and System Procedure 3.36.1 Academic Programs.