Awarding of Posthumous Degrees

Authority: Academic Affairs
Date Enacted or Revised: October 6, 2015; Revised February 24, 2025

In accordance with Part Two, Chapter I, Section VI of University of Louisiana System Board Rules, a deceased student who did not complete all requirements for their undergraduate degree at the time of death may be awarded a degree posthumously provided the following conditions are met:

  • The student was enrolled at the time of death.
  • The student had earned the appropriate cumulative or degree GPA.
  • The student had completed all requirements for their degree up to the last semester.
  • The academic department head and dean of the deceased student’s primary major recommends the action.

When a degree is awarded posthumously, this action will be noted when the student’s name is announced at commencement and will be noted in the commencement program. The diploma will be presented to the immediate family of the deceased student by an appropriate official of the University.

All posthumous degrees will be reported to the University of Louisiana System as they are awarded.

Communication

This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.