Regulations & Policies

Academic Affairs - Enrollment Services

I. PURPOSE

To establish the minimum University eligibility requirements and procedures for awarding a Posthumous or an in Memoriam degree.

II. APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to requests for posthumous and In Memoriam degrees for deceased undergraduate and graduate students or former students.

III.  DEFINITIONS

Posthumous Degree. A degree awarded following a student’s death in recognition of the academic work completed toward the degree. The student must satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements established in this policy.

In Memoriam Degree. A degree awarded following a student’s death in recognition of the student’s connection to the University, regardless of progress toward completing the degree.

IV. STATEMENT OF POLICY

A Posthumous Degree recognizes academic work completed by a student who has made progress toward completion of a degree. In order to receive a Posthumous Degree, the student must have achieved senior status, must have been in good standing at the University of North Florida, and must have met UNF residency requirement or have been enrolled in courses sufficient to meet the residency requirement.

At the graduate level, the student must have completed at least 66% of their degree program, must have been in good academic standing, and must have met UNF residency requirements or have been enrolled in courses sufficient to meet this requirement.

An In Memoriam degree allows for recognition of a student's connection to the University of North Florida regardless of their progress toward completion of degree requirements. In order to receive an In Memoriam degree, the student must have been enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at the time of their death. The University may choose to make this award to other deceased previously enrolled students.

V. STATEMENT OF PROCEDURES

The request for a posthumous or in memoriam degree can be initiated by a family member or friend or upon the recommendation of the faculty.

At the bachelor’s level, the chair of the department that houses the degree will submit the request to the Registrar's Office.

At the graduate level, the chair of the department that houses the degree will submit the request to the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School will then coordinate with the Registrar’s Office.

In the case of a Posthumous Degree, a family member, friend, or designee may elect to accept the diploma at the next available commencement ceremony. If possible, the student’s name will appear in the commencement program indicating “degree awarded posthumously.”

History: New 10/07/1999, Substantive Revisions 11/03/2014, 9/3/2026

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