Subject:

 
Academic Affairs
 
Policy:
Posthumous Degree
 
Effective date:
March 5, 2014
 
Revised date:
March 21, 2022
 
Review date:
March 21, 2025

 

 
Responsible Party:
Provost's Office
 


100.00 Introduction and Purpose

In exceptional circumstances, the university can recommend to the Board of Regents that a degree from Montana State University be awarded posthumously.

An appropriate degree may be awarded on the recommendation of the student’s major department chair, with support from the appropriate college dean and approval by the Provost and the President and approval of the Board of Regents.


200.00 Academic Requirements

To be considered for a posthumous degree, the student must meet the following requirements

  1. the student was enrolled at the time of death,
  2. the student was in good academic standing, and
  3. the student had completed two thirds (2/3) of the requirements for the degree to be awarded.

In the case of graduate students, the major professor, department head and college dean shall recommend to the Graduate Dean and Central Administration potential recipients of posthumous degrees.


300.00 Procedures

The Registrar will announce posthumous degree recipients independently at the respective Faculty Meeting where all degree recipients are approved by faculty vote. Notification of faculty approval of posthumous degree candidates along with honorary degree candidates, and all standard candidates for degrees shall be sent to the President immediately following the meeting.

Upon approval, the Office of the Registrar will be notified and the degree will be awarded at a subsequent commencement ceremony or presented to the student’s family in an appropriate setting. Diplomas for posthumous degrees will be identical to all certified MSU degrees.