Graduation and Commencement

Associate 

Concordia University confers the degree of Associate in Arts on a student of good character who has met the following requirements:

  1. a cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.00 for all academic credit earned at Concordia University;
  2. satisfied any program-specific requirements; and
  3. met all financial obligations to the University.

Bachelor 

Concordia University confers the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or Bachelor of Social Work on a student of good character who has met the following requirements:

  1. accumulated a cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.00 for all academic credit earned at Concordia University;
  2. satisfied all program-specific requirements; and
  3. met all financial obligations to the University.

Graduation Application

Each candidate for graduation must complete a Graduation Application online by the assigned deadline, prior to commencement.  Graduation Application deadline dates are the following:

Fall - October 1

Spring - February 1

Summer - June 1

Graduation Application Eligibility 

Students who have applied to graduate but become ineligible (low grade point average, missed prerequisite, did not defend their dissertation, etc.) must contact the Registrar’s Office to have their graduation application removed by November 1st for December graduation and April 1st for May graduation. Students must reapply for the appropriate semester.

  • Students can only apply to graduate in a given program once.
  • Students can only attend one commencement ceremony for a given program.
  • Removing ineligible graduates will ensure that a student’s name is not inaccurately listed in the commencement bulletin which allows for their name to be included in the correct ceremony.
  • Graduate names will only appear in one commencement bulletin for a given program.

Commencement Participation

In order to participate in commencement, the student must have:

  • completed all coursework toward the degree (or be currently in or registered for the final class);
  • completed the Graduation Application

Students who are enrolled for (their final) six or fewer Concordia credits in the summer or who are registered for a culminating clinical experience in the summer, will be eligible to walk in the May commencement ceremony.

Diploma Covers

Diploma covers are only given at commencement.  Students not attending commencement will not receive a diploma cover.

Degree Awarding

Degrees are awarded at the end of each semester and mini-session.  There are 7 degree awarding timeframes found on the Academic Calendar.

Graduation with Honors

  • A candidate who achieves a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 or better will be graduated Summa Cum Laude
  • One who achieves a cumulative grade point average of 3.80 or better will be graduated Magna Cum Laude
  • One who achieves a cumulative grade point average of 3.60 or better will be graduated Cum Laude

Graduation Cords for Honor Students

For recognition in the commencement ceremony, students’ GPA and credits are calculated through their second to last CUWAA semester. The final semester grades, which have not yet been finalized, cannot be included for honors to be recognized. Adjustments are made to diplomas and transcripts as warranted after the inclusion of final semester grades and credits.  

  • Summa Cum Laude - Solid Gold
  • Magna Cum Laude - Solid Silver
  • Cum Laude - Bronze

Concordia considers it right and proper to recognize through special awards unusual proficiency and performance in a certain area of learning as well as in worthwhile and purposeful co-curricular activity. Many such awards are given annually to students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement or who have made unusual contributions. From time to time, friends of Concordia have established such awards and have usually stipulated conditions under which the respective award should be given. Since in these instances the recognition aspect is more important than the financial element, Concordia has listed these as awards rather than scholarships. Such awards include:

  • American Bicentennial Award in Business
  • Walter W. Stuenkel Award
  • E .R . Brann Citizenship Award
  • Science Awards in Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences
  • Moeller Award in English, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, and Spanish
  • Religion Award
  • Northup-Bartelt Memorial Music Award
  • Nightingale Nursing Award
  • Charles W. Finke Health and Human Performance Award
  • Marsha Konz Student Educator Award
  • Marsha Konz Graduate Educator Award
  • CUW Visual Arts Award
  • Søren Kierkegaard Philosophy Award
  • Zondervan Publishing House Award in Greek, Hebrew, and Theology

Transcripts

An official transcript bears the seal of the University and the signature of the Registrar or his/her representative. Official transcripts may be ordered by students or alumni through the National Student Clearinghouse e-transcripts system and can be sent electronically through to institutions or persons considering the applicant for admission or for employment.