Graduation Requirements for Master's Programs

In order to qualify for any of the master’s degrees, a candidate must complete all of the degree requirements with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. The student must officially apply for graduation. The student must meet all requirements to graduate in the semester of application to graduate. The student is cautioned that (1) application for graduation must be made before the published deadline (See Academic Calendar) and preferably at least one semester before the semester of graduation, (2) all grades must be officially transmitted to the Registrar’s Office by the final grades due deadline posted in the Academic Calendar, and (3) applicants who apply for graduation and fail to meet requirements must reapply for graduation. Note: If the student does not apply for graduation in the semester in which requirements are completed, then the degree will be posted in the next graduation date after the official application has been received.

All Graduating Students must pay the previous and the present account balances in full by the time designated in the graduation application materials provided by the Registrar’s Office, or the student will be denied the privilege of participation in commencement exercises and access to his or her diploma and transcript upon graduation.  The student will be allowed to participate in a commencement exercise only after the previous and present balances are paid in full.  Students requesting to walk in a future commencement must have a zero balance. It is the graduate’s responsibility to contact the Registrar’s Office when they have paid their balance. Only after the graduate contacts the Registrar’s Office will the graduate have their name added to the next available commencement ceremony and be allowed to participate in the ceremony.

All requirements for a master's degree must be completed within a period of six years from the date of initial enrollment in the program. The six-year time allowance begins when a graduate student enrolls in their first course. Students who have been continually active in their program for longer than six years may seek a waiver of the six-year time allowance from their program director and Graduate Admissions. However, if a student has been inactive in a program for more than 24 months, the student must re-apply (see Master’s Programs Admissions Procedures) to the graduate program and be granted readmission. The six-year time allowance then begins again with the date of enrollment at readmission. Previously completed courses older than six years may be used to satisfy current degree requirements with the approval of the Program Director. Each degree earned at DBU must satisfy its own residency requirement as referred to under “Transfer of Credit for Master’s Programs.” For accelerated degrees, both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree residency requirements must be met. For dual degrees, both master’s degrees must meet their specified residency requirement.