Posthumous Degree Policy

East Stroudsburg University may recognize a student’s work by conferring a degree or special certificate posthumously. In the event of a death of a student, the university may confer the degree or certificate. For awarding of a degree, the student will have completed all or nearly all of the requirements. For awarding of a letter of completion, the student will have completed at least one year at ESU.

For Undergraduate Students:

In the event of the death of an East Stroudsburg undergraduate student, the University may grant the degree/diploma posthumously to the family based upon the following criteria:

• student had earned a minimum of 90 credits
• student was in good academic standing
• student had no pending disciplinary sanctions
• the student’s death was not the result of illegal behavior on his or her part

In the event that the student has not completed 90 credits, but had successfully completed one year of coursework (24 credits minimum), and met all the other criteria stated above, the University may grant a letter of completion posthumously to the family.

For Graduate Students: In the event of the death of an East Stroudsburg University graduate student, the University may grant the degree/diploma posthumously to the family based upon the following criteria:

• student was in or entering the final semester of the program at the time of death
• student was in good academic and professional standing
• the majority of the program’s graduate faculty support conferral of the degree
• the student’s death was not the result of illegal behavior on his/her part

In the event that a graduate student was not in his/her final semester of graduate work, but had successfully completed one year of coursework (18 graduate credits minimum) and met all other criteria as stated above, the University may grant a graduate letter of completion posthumously to the family.

Reason for Policy

To recognize the achievement of its students who have died, East Stroudsburg University may award degrees or letters of completion posthumously to the families where the students have completed enough of the planned degree program.

Appeal Statement

N/A

Definitions

Posthumous: following or occurring after one’s death

Other Relevant Information

Posthumous Degree Procedure