Graduation Honors
The required grade point average (GPA) scale for Concordia College graduation honors is 3.5 for cum laude, 3.7 for magna cum laude and 3.9 for summa cum laude. Honors listed in the Commencement program are based on grades up to but not including the final semester. The final honors status is determined after all grades are complete and will then be placed on the transcript and diploma accordingly. Students do not receive cords for institutional honors.
Commencement Participation
It is required that students submit a completed Application for Graduation by the deadline listed on the Registrar's Office Dates & Deadlines calendar to participate in the Commencement ceremony. A student will not be listed in the Commencement program without having submitted this form by the deadline. Students will not have their degrees conferred nor will they receive diplomas until all graduation requirements are met.
August graduates will participate in the May Commencement ceremony immediately preceding their August graduation date. These students must be:
- be in good academic standing,
- have 8 or fewer outstanding credits,
- be registered for all remaining degree requirements by mid-March preceding commencement and able to complete them by the end of the summer.
December graduates typically will participate in the May Commencement ceremony after graduation. However, December graduates may elect to participate in the Commencement ceremony preceding graduation if they:
- are in good academic standing,
- have 17 or fewer outstanding credits,
- are registered for all remaining degree requirements by mid-March preceding commencement.
Graduates who do not meet the early participation criteria may request an exception by submitting a Petition of Academic Policy along with a plan for completing their degree requirements. These requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and decisions are final.
Diplomas
Diplomas are printed and released only to students who have satisfied all graduation requirements and who have settled all financial obligations with the Business Office.