Posthumous Degree and Posthumous Certificate of Achievement Policy

By Cassidy Bartlett
June 10, 2022
To: Academic Advisors, Student Support Personnel, and Students
From: Office of the Registrar
Subject: Posthumous Degree and Posthumous Certificate of Achievement Policy
Date: Jun 10, 2022

In October 2021, the Office of the Registrar proposed a new policy regarding the awarding of posthumous degrees. The policy outlines the criteria and procedure for requesting a posthumous degree or certificate of achievement.

The new policy was reviewed and approved by the Undergraduate Council, Graduate Council, Undergraduate College Academic Administrators Council, Graduate College Academic Administrators Council, and the Faculty Senate during the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters.

The new policy can be found online.

The new policy is effective beginning Fall 2021.

Notable elements in the Posthumous Degree and Posthumous Certificate of Achievement Policy (full policy can be found in the General Catalog):

  • Eligibility requirements have been established concerning the awarding of Posthumous Degrees; students must meet minimum cumulative GPA and total unit requirements, and have completed at least one semester at the University of Arizona.
  • Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements for a Posthumous Degree may be awarded a newly-created Certificate of Achievement at the request of their family.

Justification/Rationale

  • Although no official policy on posthumous degrees was in place prior to this implementation, the University of Arizona already has a well-established procedure on awarding posthumous degrees. Having an official policy makes the process more transparent and simpler for families to navigate.

Questions about the Posthumous Degree and Posthumous Certificate of Achievement Policy should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar at catalog@arizona.edu.

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