BSU Catalog Home

Section IV

Graduation

Requirements for All Baccalaureate Degrees (B.A., B.F.A., B.S., B.A.S.)

1. Scholarship
   1. General Scholarship - minimum cumulative 2.00 ("C") GPA. Some programs require higher GPAs, such as those in Professional Education, Nursing, Social Work, and Mass Communication. Please refer to the appropriate catalog sections.
   2. Major Field - minimum 2.25 GPA - the major field includes all courses taken at Bemidji State University in the area of study. Some majors require higher GPAs, such as those in Professional Education. Please refer to the appropriate catalog sections.
   3. Minor Field - minimum 2.00 GPA.
2. Graduation plan forms should be submitted for approval two (2) semesters before graduation. Forms are available online at the BSU Web site, www.bemidjistate.edu (click on Records).
3. All financial obligations, incomplete grades, or other course problems must be cleared by the end of the last semester before graduation.
4. Departmental approval for a major or minor in the department.
5. Successful completion of one-hundred twenty (120) semester credits minimum for all B.A., B.F.A., B.S., and B.A.S degrees, (select majors up to 136 minimum credits). Note: No credits from courses numbered 0800-0899 may be used to fulfill graduation requirements. A maximum of four (4) credits from courses numbered 0900-0999 may be used to fulfill graduation requirements.
6. A minimum of forty (40) semester credits at the 3000 level or above must be completed through four-year degree-granting institutions.
7. Thirty (30) residence semester credits must be completed through Bemidji State University.
8. Transfer Students: At least one-third of the credits to be included in the major must be successfully completed at Bemidji State University.
9. Students are encouraged to discuss with their advisor the option of a second major, minor, or field of emphasis that might strengthen or complement their major.
10. Liberal Education requirements or completion of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.
11. Contact the major department for specific information on screening criteria for entry into the major program.

Requirements for the Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree

1. Sixty (60) semester credits minimum, meeting all Liberal Education requirements plus electives. All transfer students must complete a minimum of one semester at Bemidji State University. In addition, twenty (20) semester credits must be completed at Bemidji State University.
2. Minimum 2.00 ("C") GPA.

Multiple Majors

Students are encouraged to pursue more than one major to enhance their educational background. A student completing two or more majors with different degree designations will be awarded the degree associated with the primary major. However, if one of the majors is in a field of professional teaching, the B.S. degree shall be awarded. Graduation planning forms must be filed in the Records and Registration Office for all majors.

Multiple Degrees

A student completing two or more majors with different degree designations (B.A., B.F.A., B.S., or B.A.S. only) who wishes both degrees will be required to complete at least thirty (30) additional semester credits beyond the first degree.

An A.A. or A.S. degree will not be awarded simultaneously with or subsequent to a four-year degree.

A student who holds a baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution may earn an additional baccalaureate degree from Bemidji State University by completing all of the course requirements for that degree with at least thirty (30) additional semester credits in residence at Bemidji State University.

Graduation Plans

Students seeking an undergraduate degree from Bemidji State University are asked to submit graduation plans two (2) semesters before their anticipated term of graduation. The graduation plan process is detailed online at www.bemidjistate.edu/offices/records_registration/ (under Graduation Planning). Upon attaining eighty (80) earned semester credits toward graduation, students are notified through their DARS report that they should submit graduation plans. Graduation plans are submitted directly to the Records and Registration Office. Subsequent notification of approval or specific deficiencies are sent to students by the Records and Registration Office.

Questions regarding the graduation planning process or the status of specific graduation plans should be directed to the Records and Registration Office, Deputy 101 (218-755-2020).

Commencement

Commencement exercises are held at the close of spring semester. Students who graduate during the prior fall or subsequent summer term may attend spring exercises with the spring semester graduates.

In order to qualify for participation in the annual spring commencement exercise, a student must be in good academic standing and have no more than twelve (12) semester credits of course work to complete by September 1 following commencement. These courses must be outlined in the student's graduation plan forms and filed with the Records and Registration Office. Attendance at commencement exercises does not signify completion of all degree requirements.

Students are required to wear traditional cap and gown apparel at commencement exercises.