A posthumous degree may be awarded to a student who has died prior to completion of degree requirements if the following requirements are met. A request for awarding a posthumous degree should be directed to the department of the major. A unit leader must complete the appropriate level Posthumous Degree Form posted with this policy on the Office of the Executive Vice President & Provost's website at: unlv.edu/policies.

Criteria

In order for a posthumous degree to be awarded, a student must have met the following criteria at the time of his/her death:

1. Under normal circumstances, if an undergraduate, had achieved senior status.
2. If a non-thesis graduate student, was enrolled in the last semester of the program and had completed all coursework and had registered for capstone requirements.
3. If a thesis graduate student, had completed all coursework and capstone requirements and the majority of research and writing for the thesis, which could be compiled into a final product if desired.
4. If a dissertation graduate student, had completed all coursework, passed comprehensive examinations, and conducted the majority of research and writing for the dissertation, which could be compiled into a final product if desired.
5. The student was in good academic standing and had at least the minimum grade-point average (GPA) required for that particular major.

Recommendation

1. In the case of an undergraduate student, recommendation for award of the degree is made by the Department/Program and subsequently approved by the College/School Dean and the Faculty Senate Academic Standards Committee.
2. In the case of a graduate student, recommendation for award of the degree is made by the student's graduate committee and subsequently approved by the Department/Program, College/School Dean, and the Dean of the Graduate College.
3. All recommendations go to the Executive Vice President & Provost and then to the President for final approval.
4. Exceptions to the above requirements may be approved by the President.