Graduation Requirements

• Standard Graduation Requirements
• Requirements for Earning Additional Degrees - Baker College Graduates
• Application for Graduation
• Commencement Ceremony

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 not count towards this requirement.

3. A minimum of 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’s Degree Graduation Requirements

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

1. Fulfill all requirements for the chosen bachelor’s 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’s 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:

You are eligible for one additional major if the following criteria are met:

1. All requirements for the additional major are satisfied.

2. The additional major must be offered within the same bachelor’s degree.

3. At least 30 semester hours is required for the additional major, with 15 semester hours at the 3000 and 4000 levels, completed at Baker College.

4. You must declare the additional major prior to the awarding of your initial bachelor’s degree.

Graduate Degree Graduation Requirements

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

Master’s Degree

1. Complete all required courses for your program with a grade of C or better.

2. Complete at least 21 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

You are eligible for one additional major if the following criteria are met:

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.

Doctorate Degree

1. Complete all required courses for your program with a grade of B or better. 
   • Traditional Doctorate and EdD: complete at least 24 semester hours at the Center for Graduate Studies
   • Doctorate ABD, Dissertation Track: complete at least 25 semester hours at the Center for Graduate Studies
   • Doctorate ABD, Capstone Project Track: complete at least 16 hours at the Center for Graduate Studies
2. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
3. Submit a graduation application.
4. Complete all program requirements within seven years.

*Some programs may have different minimum GPA requirements other than 2.0

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 or higher.*

4. Submit a graduation application.

Bachelor’s Degrees - Additional Degrees

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

1. Fulfill all requirements for the additional bachelor’s degree.

2. Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours, different from any previously earned bachelor’s 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

Graduates who have earned a master’s degree from Baker College are eligible to earn an additional master’s degree from the College. You are eligible to transfer a maximum of 12 semester hours from your initial master’s degree to your second master’s degree. To qualify, the following criteria must be met:

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

Multiple certificates may be earned from Baker College.

*Some programs may have different minimum GPA requirements other than 2.0

Application for Graduation

When you are in your final semester, the next important step is to officially apply for graduation by visiting baker.edu/graduation. Once your application is processed and you are cleared to graduate, you will automatically be welcomed into the Baker College Alumni Community. To help you transition into your next chapter, we will send updates about exclusive alumni events, great discounts, and valuable networking opportunities straight to your personal email, which you can choose to opt out of at any time. Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone-you’ve earned it!

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’s 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 commencement 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.