Graduation Requirements

Degrees are awarded by vote of the faculty of the college and the Board of Trustees to students who have completed the liberal education, major program, and residence requirements.

Professional Studies guidelines:

  • Students must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 and have completed a minimum of 120 credits for the baccalaureate degree or 60 credits for the associate degree.
  • Students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 in all courses that count for a declared major and minor with the exception for programs that have specific, restrictive requirements. Since some programs require a higher grade point average in the major, students should consult appropriate sections of the catalog for specific major program requirements. It is the responsibility of students to know the minimum quantitative and qualitative requirements of programs and to fulfill those requirements.
  • Students who participate in a commencement ceremony prior to completion of all graduation requirements will be eligible for graduation honors once they have completed requirements.
  • Students who have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher, but do not have a GPA of 2.00 or higher in the major, may participate in the graduation ceremony, but will not receive their degrees until the minimum GPA of the major is achieved.

Graduate guidelines:

  • For MSN degrees, students must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 and have completed all classes required for their degree as listed in the catalog. Students must also earn a minimum grade of 2.7 in all of their graduate program classes. Please consult this catalog for specific degree information.
  • For the MSES and MBA degree, students must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 and have completed all classes required for their degree as listed in the catalog. Please consult this catalog for specific degree information.
  • For MSW and DNP degrees, students must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and have completed all classes required for their degree as listed in the catalog. Students must also earn a minimum grade of 3.0 in all of their graduate program classes. Please consult this catalog for specific degree information.

During each academic year, there are four graduation dates: August, October, December, and May. Following are the deadlines for these graduation dates. Students who miss these deadlines may need to wait until the next official graduation date. Diplomas will not be issued without a completed form on file.

  • August graduation
    • Students planning to complete graduation requirements to graduate in August must have completed all course work and have official grades on file in the Registrar’s Office by August 20.
  • October graduation
    • Students planning to complete graduation requirements to graduate in October must have completed all course work and have official grades on file in the Registrar’s Office by September 1.
  • December graduation
    • Students planning to complete graduation requirements to graduate in December must have completed all course work and have official grades on file in the Registrar’s Office by November 20.
  • May graduation
    • Students planning to complete graduation requirements to graduate in May must have completed all course work and have official grades on file in the Registrar’s Office no later than the Tuesday preceding the commencement ceremony.

The college holds one commencement ceremony annually at the end of the spring semester.

  • Students who plan to graduate in August, October, or December may choose to participate in the commencement ceremony held in the previous May or the ceremony held in the following May.
  • To participate in the previous May commencement ceremony, graduate students must have earned the required minimum GPA for their specific program and earned a minimum of 87% of the required credits by the Tuesday preceding the commencement ceremony.
  • To participate in the previous May commencement ceremony, baccalaureate candidate students must have earned a minimum 2.00 GPA and earned at least 104 credits by the Tuesday preceding the commencement ceremony.
  • Associate degree candidates must have earned a minimum 2.00 GPA and have at least 53 credits successfully completed by the Tuesday preceding the commencement ceremony.
  • Please note that you will not be able to participate in the graduation ceremony or receive your diploma if you have an outstanding balance on your account. Please contact Financial Services at 603.526.3744 if you see a Business Office Hold on your account.

Final Credits Residency Requirements

To earn a degree from Colby-Sawyer College, students must take a prescribed number of credits at this institution. This includes Colby-Sawyer College online courses, summer residential classes and off-campus experiences, such as internships and enrollment through Colby-Sawyer College at a New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC) campus.

  • To earn a graduate degree, students must complete all of the final course requirements as listed in the catalog.
  • To earn a bachelor’s degree, the final 30 credit hours must be Colby-Sawyer College sponsored whether taken on or off campus.
  • To earn an associate degree, the final 15 credits must be Colby-Sawyer College sponsored whether taken on or off campus.
  • A student who takes all courses required in the degree program, but who is deficient in credits and/ or grade point average, should consult with their advisor. The student also may write to the registrar for permission to compensate for deficiency at another regionally accredited institution. Permission is granted through the approval of the permission form.
  • Students must fill out a permission form located on myRegistrar to take a course at another institution. This form needs to be submitted and approved prior to enrolling in the course.

Liberal Education Requirements

  • Students must fulfill the Liberal Education Program requirements that were published in the catalog the year in which they entered the college.
  • All B.S. students must complete 40 credits of Liberal Education requirements.
  • All A.S. students must complete 20 credits of Liberal Education requirements.

Major Course Requirements

Students are responsible for completing requirements for the major listed in the Catalog for the year in which they entered Colby-Sawyer College. The registrar must approve exceptions to this. Refer to the requirements listed for each major.