Posthumous Academic Degrees
PERTINENT INFORMATION
Occasionally, a student may die prior to completing degree requirements. Although the dean has the discretion to waive degree requirements, consistency is important to ensure the quality and integrity of the UTHSCSA degree and meet accreditation standards. This policy sets forth guidelines for awarding posthumous academic degree to deceased UTHSCSA students.
UNIVERSITY POLICY
Upon recommendation from the appropriate department or academic program, approval by the appropriate dean and the VPAFSA, academic degrees may be awarded posthumously. The normal guidelines and conditions for awarding the posthumous degree are outlined below.
UNIVERSITY PROCEDURE
Posthumous Baccalaureate Degrees
Unfulfilled graduation requirements shall be waived, and a posthumous baccalaureate degree awarded, if the following conditions are met at the time of a student’s death:
- The student was making progress toward the degree when last enrolled and had attained a cumulative UTHSCSA grade point average of 2.00 or higher; and,
- The student either (a) was within fifteen semester credit hours of completing all requirements for the degree, or (b) was in the final semester leading to completion, or (c) there is sufficient evidence that the deceased student would likely have completed all requirements and receive the degree.
Posthumous Master’s Degrees
Unfulfilled graduation requirements shall be waived, and a posthumous master's degree awarded, if the following conditions are met at the time of a student’s death:
- The student was making progress toward the degree when last enrolled and had attained a cumulative UTHSCSA grade point average of 3.00 or higher; and,
- The student either (a) was within nine semester credit hours of completing all requirements for the degree, or (b) was in the final semester leading to completion, or (c) there is sufficient evidence that the deceased student would likely have completed all requirements and receive the degree.
Posthumous Doctoral or Professional Degrees
Unfulfilled graduation requirements shall be waived, and a posthumous doctoral or professional degree awarded, if the following conditions are met at the time of a student’s death:
- The student had completed all course requirements for the degree, was making progress toward the degree, and had attained a cumulative UTHSCSA grade point average of 3.00 or higher; and,
- The student was enrolled for dissertation hours when last enrolled; and,
- The student either was within six semester credit hours of completing all dissertation requirements, or there is sufficient evidence that the deceased student would most likely have fulfilled all dissertation requirements and received the degree.
Awarding of Posthumous Degrees
The posthumous degree will be announced publicly. Family member's may attend the commencement ceremony in honor of the student. The Office of the University Registrar will mail the diploma to a family member designated in the student's official student record.
Posthumous Degrees with Special Circumstances
In rare instances, the president may consider awarding a posthumous degree for circumstances that fall outside these policy guidelines. The president will provide a written statement of special circumstances.
Contact List
Office of the President
Mary Delay- 210-567-2010; Delay@uthscsa.edu
VP-Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs
Jacqueline Mok- 210-567-2004; Mok@uthscsa.edu
Assistant Deans of Students
Joshua Hanson, Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Leadership Training, Long School of Medicine- 210-567-5656; Hansonj4@uthscsa.edu
Stefanie Seitz, Assistant Dean for Students and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, School of Dentistry- 210-567-3180; Seitz@uthscsa.edu
David Henzi, Associate for Academic and Student Affairs- 210-567-4818; Henzi@uthscsa.edu
Vanessa Meling, Associate Dean for Admissions, Student Success, and Engagement, School of Nursing
Jessica Nute, Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Office of Student Life
Le’Keisha Johnson- 210-567-2651; Johnsonld@uthscsa.edu
Student Counseling Service
Mia Veve- 210-567-2648; Veve@uthscsa.edu
Student Health Center
Cindy Sickora- 210-567-5889; Sickora@uthscsa.edu
Office of the Bursar
Diana Gonzalez- 210-567-0635; Gonzalezd5@uthscsa.edu
Office of the Registrar
Blanca Guerra- 210-567-2629; Guerrabe@uthscsa.edu
Office of Veteran Services & Financial Aid
Ellen Nystrom- 210-567-2640; Nystrom@uthscsa.edu