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 University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio degree and meet accreditation standards. This policy sets forth guidelines for awarding posthumous academic degrees to deceased UT Health San Antonio students.

UNIVERSITY POLICY

Upon recommendation from the appropriate department or academic program, approval by the appropriate dean and the Vice President for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs, 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:

  1. 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,
  2. 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:

  1. The student was making progress toward the degree when last enrolled and had attained a cumulative UT Health San Antonio grade point average of 3.00 or higher; and,
  2. The student either (a) was within nine semester credit hours of completing all requirements for the degree, (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:

  1. The student had completed all course requirements for the degree, was making progress toward the degree, and had attained a cumulative UT Health San Antonio grade point average of 3.00 or higher; and,
  2. The student was enrolled for dissertation hours when last enrolled; and,
  3. 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 members 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
Kathryn Keeton- 210-567-2010; Keetonk@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 Affairs and Well-Being, School of Dentistry- 210-567-3180; Seitz@uthscsa.edu

David Henzi, Senior Associate Dean, School of Health Professions- 210-567-4818;  Henzi@uthscsa.edu 

Vanessa Meling, Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Success, School of Nursing- 210-567-5893, Meling@uthscsa.edu

Jessica Nute, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences-210-567-1361; Nute@uthscsa.edu

Office of Student Life
Le’Keisha Johnson- 210-567-2651; Johnsonld@uthscsa.edu 

Student Counseling Service
Mia Veve- 210-567-2648; Veve@uthscsa.edu

UT Health San Antonio Wellness 360
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