Posthumous Degree Policy - UTDPP1117

Policy Statement

A deceased student may be considered a candidate for a posthumous degree when nominated by the dean of the school in which the student was enrolled at or prior to their death. Posthumous degrees may be awarded provided minimum academic degree requirements have been satisfied and verified.

Requirements for Nomination

1. The student must have been in good academic standing with the institution at the time of death. University requirements for earned credits in residence must have been satisfied.
2. The student must have been enrolled at the time of death (summer excluded) or is/was on an approved leave of absence.
3. An undergraduate student must have been a UT Dallas student for at least two (2) semesters and have completed at least 90 total SCH (semester credit hours) of coursework to be nominated for a posthumous degree.
4. A graduate student who was not required to complete a dissertation or thesis as part of their plan of study must have been within 75% of degree completion to be nominated for a posthumous degree.
5. A graduate student who was required to complete a dissertation or thesis as part of their plan of study must have completed an adequate amount of research and writing toward a complete dissertation or thesis as determined by the department/program and school in which the student was enrolled.

Nomination/Approval Process

1. The formal process of nominating a candidate for a posthumous degree award can be initiated by any individual with knowledge of the academic profile/record of the student. The nomination is made to the dean of the appropriate school for consideration.
2. The dean of the school, in consultation with the academic program, will verify that the nomination, degree plan, and progress toward degree completion meets the specified requirements.
3. The dean of the school in which the student was enrolled, will recommend the candidate for a posthumous degree in the form of a formal written request to the provost and vice president for academic affairs. The request must include the name and ID of the student, the degree/program/plan to be awarded, and the recommended semester for degree conferral. The provost may choose to present this to the Dean's Caucus for review/discussion.
4. If supported by the provost, the provost will submit the recommendation to the University president for formal approval. If approved by the president,
   1. The provost or dean will notify the registrar to begin the process for degree posting and commencement proceedings, if applicable.
   2. The dean will inform the immediate family of the University's decision and desire to recognize their student with this honor (this process should be kept confidential until and unless approved at all levels). If the family desires to represent the student and receive the diploma at a commencement ceremony, this must be relayed to the registrar for planning.

Miscellaneous Details/Considerations

1. A posthumous degree will be printed in commencement programs within the appropriate school section. If the family chooses not to participate, this award may still be read during the ceremony (unless explicitly requested otherwise by the family).
2. If the student had a financial debt to the University, this debt will be waived.
3. Exceptions to the aforementioned minimum requirements may be considered in special cases, with the support of the dean of the school and provost and approval of the president.
4. The statement "awarded posthumously" will be printed on the student's academic record but not on the diploma.