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Seton Hall University

Posthumous Degree Policy

Purpose

The Posthumous Degree Policy is designed to honor the memory of our students and acknowledge their dedication to academic excellence. This policy outlines the guidelines and procedures for awarding posthumous degrees to students as a testament to their academic accomplishments and to offer a measure of consolation to their bereaved families.

Procedure

A student who is near completion of their degree and passes away before the degree is awarded may be awarded their degree posthumously upon request by the immediate family members to the Office of the Provost, in the discretion of the Provost.

Undergraduate

A deceased student who did not complete all requirements for their undergraduate degree at the time of death may be awarded a degree posthumously provided the following conditions are met:

  1. The student was enrolled at the time of death, and
  2. The student has completed 60 credits (at least 30 earned from Seton Hall).

Graduate

A deceased student who did not complete all requirements for their graduate degree at the time of death may be awarded a degree posthumously provided the following conditions are met:

  1. The student was enrolled at the time of death, and
  2. The student had completed at least half the credits required to obtain the degree.

Such a request must be made within five years of the student’s death.

Extraordinary Circumstances

Cases that do not meet the conditions above may be considered for the conferral of a degree when extraordinary circumstances exist. In such cases, the academic department/school, dean, and Provost will be consulted prior to making a recommendation to the President and Board of Trustees.

Degree Conferment

The University Registrar will certify the degree at the appropriate time and handle the addition to the commencement documents for the appropriate ceremony. The graduation program will note the degree was awarded posthumously. The certificate will be presented to the immediate family of the deceased student at an appropriate time by an appropriate academic officer of the University.