Graduation

Standard Graduation Requirements

Certificate Program Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, you will need to meet the following criteria:

1. Fulfill all requirements for the chosen certificate program.
2. Complete at least one-half of the semester hours required for the certificate program through actual class time at Baker College. Courses below the 1000 level do not count towards this requirement.
3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.*
4. Submit a graduation application.

Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, you will need to meet the following criteria:

1. Fulfill all requirements for the chosen associate degree.
2. Complete at least 15 semester hours required for the degree through actual class time at Baker College. Courses below the 1000 level do do count towards this requirement.
3. A minimum 12 semester hours or 25 percent of your completed courses through Baker College must be within your degree’s major area of study at the 2000 level.
4. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.*
5. Submit a graduation application.

Bachelor Degree Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, you will need to meet the following criteria:

1. Fulfill all requirements for the chosen bachelor degree.
2. Complete at least 30 semester hours required for the degree through actual class time at Baker College. Courses below the 1000 level do not count toward this requirement.
3. At least 15 semester hours completed at Baker College must be within your degree’s major area of study at the 3000 or 4000 levels.
4. To earn a minor within an eligible bachelor degree, you are required to complete a minimum of 6 semester hours at Baker College in the selected minor field. 
5. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.*
6. Submit a graduation application.

Additional Majors:

1. All requirements for the additional major are satisfied.
2. The additional major must be offered within the same bachelor degree.
3. At least 30 semester hours is required for the additional major, with 15 semester hours at the 3000 and 4000 levels.
4. You must declare the additional major prior to the awarding of your initial bachelor degree.

Graduate Degree Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, you will need to meet the following criteria:

1. Complete all required courses for your program with a grade of C or better, or a B or better for DBA students.
2. Complete at least 24 semester hours at the Center for Graduate Studies.
3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
4. Submit a graduation application.
5. Complete all program requirements within seven years.

Additional Majors - Master’s Degree

1. All requirements for the additional major are satisfied.
2. The additional major must be offered within the same master’s degree.
3. The additional major must be a minimum of 9 semester hours different from the initial major.
4. You must declare the additional major prior to the awarding of your initial master’s degree.

Requirements for Earning Additional Degrees - Baker College Graduates

Associate Degrees - Additional Degrees

You are eligible to graduate with an additional associate degree if the following criteria are met:

1. Fulfill all requirements for the additional associate degree.
2. Complete a minimum of 15 semester hours, different from any previously earned associate degree, in actual class time at Baker College. Courses below the 1000 level do not count towards this requirement.
3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 of higher.*
4. Submit a graduation application.

Bachelor Degrees - Additional Degrees

You are eligible to graduate with an additional bachelor degree if the following criteria are met:

1. Fulfill all requirements for the additional bachelor degree.
2. Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours, different from any previously earned bachelor degree, through actual class time at Baker College. Courses below the 1000 level do not count towards this requirement.
3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.*
4. Submit a graduation application.

Master’s Degrees - Additional Degrees

1. Fulfill all requirements for the additional master’s degree.
2. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
3. Submit a graduation application.

Undergraduate Certificates

Application for Graduation

When you are within one semester of completing your degree, you are required to complete a graduation application. Go to baker.edu/graduation to complete the graduation application. Upon completion of the graduation application and clearance for graduation, students will automatically be added to the Baker College Alumni Community. You will receive information about events, discounts, networking opportunities and more to your personal email address until you choose to opt out. Personal Email Address - In order for us to continue to communicate with you after graduation, please make sure to update your personal, non-Baker email address if needed, using the Personal Email Update Form.

Make sure to apply before the deadline for each semester: 

Fall Semester - November 1

Spring Semester - March 4

Summer Semester - July 1

Commencement Ceremony

Baker College hosts one commencement ceremony each year to honor you, our graduate! It is held at the end of the spring semester and includes all students who have finished their degree or certificate program during the current academic year. If you are receiving special honors you will be recognized at this occasion (see Honor Graduates below). To participate in the ceremony, submit your Graduation Application by the deadline. You can find more details on how to do this at baker.edu/graduation!

Honor Graduates:

Undergraduate degree graduates who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are awarded the following honors:

Master degree graduates who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher are awarded the following honors:

Doctorate degree graduates who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher are awarded the following honors:

Unofficial honor status for students at the spring graduation ceremony is determined based on the student’s GPA at the time graduation materials are prepared. If a graduate’s status changes after the final audit, they may obtain the appropriate honor cord.

Graduates who are serving or have served in the military will receive recognition cords and may be eligible for additional SALUTE honor cords.

First Destination Survey

The First Destination Survey aims to collect important data from graduates of Baker College. All graduates are expected to complete this brief survey, which is sent via email and text as students approach graduation and after they have completed all degree program requirements. 

This survey captures outcomes across all degree levels and programs, including:

1. Types of employment (full-time, part-time, contract, freelance, etc.)
2. Further education (e.g., acceptance to graduate or professional schools)
3. Status of seeking employment or further education
4. Starting salary for full-time employed graduates

Additionally, program-specific questions gather feedback on experiences within programs (e.g., physical therapy assistant, early childhood education, etc.). This valuable information supports continuous improvement of programs and the development of resources to enhance student success.

Alumni Community

The Baker College Alumni Community (BCAC) is the official alumni group of Baker College, established. The mission of the BCAC is to foster an inclusive community of lifelong connections through purposeful engagement and activities that support the well-being of alumni, current students, communities, and the College.

Upon graduation, you automatically become a member of the BCAC without needing to sign up.  Membership is free, and you will receive communications about alumni events, discounts, and more in your personal email address on file, until you choose to opt-out. For additional information, visit baker.edu/alumni.