307-10-2 Posthumous Degrees

Title:	Posthumous Degrees
Owner:	Registrar
Last Update/Revised:	07/31/2024

Policy: Posthumous degrees are awarded to students who have died prior to completing their degree, so long as they have met the conditions outlined in the Posthumous Degree Policy in the Academic Catalog. Posthumous degrees are meant to provide the family with an acknowledgment of their student’s academic achievements. These requirements are in place to maintain the integrity of the degrees awarded by the University. Requests for posthumous degree conferral should be made to the Office of the Registrar. Final approval for the awarding of posthumous degrees will be approved by the Provost. Students who have passed away without meeting these degree requirements, but who are still in good standing, are eligible to receive a Certificate in Memoriam to honor their progress toward earning their degree. Requests for posthumous certificates should be made to the Office of the Registrar.

Purpose: Aspen University views the awarding of a posthumous degree as compassionate means to celebrate the life and contributions to the university community of a student who dies prior to completion of their degree. The awarding of a posthumous degree may bring closure for the family and friends of the deceased student as well as the university community.