Graduation Requirements & Eligibility

To qualify for a KPU credential, a student must successfully complete the program requirements as published in the University Calendar in effect at the time of admission. If requirements change during a student’s enrolment, the student may declare a later University Calendar Year and be evaluated under those requirements.

Program requirements include both program-specific and general requirements, such as minimum credit totals, restrictions on transfer and previously granted credentials, grade point average requirements, and time limits.

Program requirements may be satisfied through a combination of KPU coursework, approved transfer credit, and prior learning assessment. In some cases, a student may be granted an exemption from an introductory or prerequisite course based on prior education and experience; however, exemptions do not reduce the total number of credits required for the credential, and exempted courses may not subsequently be taken for credit.

In exceptional circumstances, course substitutions may be approved by the appropriate Dean. All transfer credit, exemptions, substitutions, and other assessments must be finalized prior to submitting an application for graduation.

Time limits for program completion are 10 years from the date of admission, as per Policy AC14, KPU Credential Framework, unless a shorter limit is specified in the University Calendar.

Breadth Requirement

All baccalaureate degrees require the completion of a minimum of 15 credit hours from courses in at least 3 different academic disciplines besides the focal academic discipline(s) of the credential program, including 3 credits from courses numbered 3000 or higher. Breadth courses should expose students to concepts and ideas from a range of academic disciplines and perspectives outside of their specific academic discipline(s) of study or defined cross-disciplinary area.  

Quantitative (QUAN) Requirement

All baccalaureate degrees require the completion of at least one Quantitative (QUAN) course (minimum 3 credits) designated as QUAN by Senate. Courses with the QUAN designation should assist students to develop quantitative reasoning (e.g. numerical, geometric, statistical, or probabilistic), or formal reasoning (mathematical or logically deductive), or scientific reasoning (involving the scientific method in general, and/or the methodology or content of a specific scientific discipline) as a basic principle in their primary subject matter.

University Writing Instruction (WRIT) Requirement

All baccalaureate degrees require the completion of one of the following Writing Instruction (WRIT) requirements:

• Introduction to University Writing (ENGL 1100). This course requirement should be incorporated into the initial 30 credit hours of a program’s curriculum and should be part of any declaration requirements, or
• A minimum of 60 credits at the undergraduate level from another recognized postsecondary institution where English is the primary language of instruction, including successful completion of one undergraduate English course, or
• A baccalaureate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution where English is the primary language of instruction. 

Writing Intensive (WI) Requirement

All baccalaureate degrees require the completion of at least one Writing Intensive (WI) course (minimum 3 credits) designated as WI by Senate. Courses with the WI designation should assist students to learn the course content through the process of writing, revision, and assessment of writing within the context of a particular academic discipline. 

Minimum Grade Point Averages

Each KPU credential will require a minimum Institutional CGPA of 2.0 and minimum Program GPA (PGPA) as follows:

Credential-Specific Requirements

Credential	Requirement
Master's Degree	Minimum Program GPA of 3.00
Graduate Diploma, Certificate	Minimum Program GPA of 2.67
Post Baccalaureate Diploma, Certificate	Minimum Program GPA of 2.50
Baccalaureate Degree	Minimum Program GPA of 2.00
Associate Degree, Diploma, Certificate, Citation	Minimum Program GPA of 2.00

Residency Requirements

The following residency requirements must be fulfilled in order to graduate:

Credential-Specific Requirements

Credential	Requirement
KPU Baccalaureate Degree	Requires the completion at KPU of upper-level course requirements that comprise a minimum of 25% of the total credits required for the credential being sought at KPU.
KPU Associate Degree, Diploma, Certificate, or Citation	Requires the completion at KPU of course requirements that comprise a minimum of 50% of the total credits required for the credential being sought at KPU.
KPU Graduate Degree, Graduate Diploma, or Graduate Certificate	Requires the completion at KPU of course requirements that comprise a minimum of 75% of the total credits required for the credential being sought at KPU.

Individual programs may establish residency requirements that are higher. Such requirements must be approved by Senate and published in the University Calendar. 

Multiple Credentials

Multiple credentials occur when a student receives more than one credential at the University.

• Multiple credentials require satisfactory completion of all requirements of each of the individual credentials.
• Multiple credentials may be completed either concurrently or sequentially.
• Where multiple credentials are sought, earned credits from one credential may fulfill up to 50% of the requirements of an additional credential.
• Where program laddering results in a preceding credential fulfilling a pre-defined and standardized portion of the requirements of the subsequently sought credential, earned credits from the preceding credential may fulfill up to 75% of the requirements of the subsequently sought credential. All uses of the 75% threshold must be approved by Senate and noted in the University Calendar. 

Graduation with Distinction

Students who graduate with a minimum Program Grade Point Average (Program GPA) of 3.75 from a program which utilizes letter grades will be considered to have graduated with distinction. Students who graduate with outstanding achievement (as determined by program faculty) from a program which does not utilize letter grades will be considered to have graduated with distinction. The phrase “With Distinction” will appear on the student’s transcript and credential. 

For further details, see Policy AR7, Graduation with Distinction.

Graduation Process

Graduation is not automatic once program requirements are complete. In order to graduate, students must apply to graduate. The following steps outline the graduation process from application to convocation: