Registrar's Office
Student & Administrative Services Center, Rm. 1020 · (570) 327-4772 · (800) 367-9222 · Fax: 570.321.5536
Graduation Requirements
A student is responsible for meeting all requirements for graduation. Faculty advisors may assist in planning majors, but the final responsibility for meeting graduation requirements rests with each student. Any deviations from the standard courses must be documented in the Registrar’s Office by an “Approval Form for Course Substitution or Equivalency” or other official document.
Bachelor Degree
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Science degree at Penn College requires a minimum of 120 credits. The standard range of credits for the B.S. graduate will be 120 to 136 credits, or 15 to 17 credits per semester for eight semesters. Extended range requirements may require up to 144 credits allowable if a major contains a cooperative education or internship component. In addition, bachelor degree graduates must meet the following requirements:
- Complete course requirements in their specific major, as set forth in the College Catalog. Students may substitute courses with prior written permission of the appropriate Dean. Written approvals for substitutions should be submitted concurrent with scheduling. Only courses numbered 100 and above can be applied toward meeting graduation requirements for a bachelor degree.
- Complete 36 of the final 60 credits at Penn College.
- Complete all course requirements and earn at least a “C” (2.0 cumulative grade point average) for all courses taken at Penn College and at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in all major courses.
- Satisfy all core requirements as stated in a student’s curriculum.
- Fulfill all financial obligations to the College. Diplomas will not be issued to students with holds on their grades.
Associate Degree
The successful completion of a two-year major identified as an Associate Degree in this catalog leads to an Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, an Associate of Arts, or an Associate of Applied Arts Degree. To be eligible for an Associate Degree, the student is expected to satisfy the following:
- Complete courses required in a specific major as set forth in the College Catalog. Students may substitute courses with prior written permission of the appropriate Dean. Written approval for substitutions should be submitted concurrent with scheduling. Only courses numbered 100 and above can be applied toward meeting graduation requirements for an associate degree.
- Complete a minimum of 30 credits in courses offered at Penn College. Credit earned by advanced placement, credit by examination, or work/life experience may be included in the 30 credit minimum. A student must be enrolled in courses at the College for at least 18 credits of the final 30 credits of a major.
- Earn at least a “C” average (2.0 cumulative grade point average) and complete all required courses with a grade of “D” or better.
- Satisfy all core requirements as stated in a student’s curriculum.
- Fulfill all financial obligations to the College. Diplomas will not be issued to students with holds on their grades.
Certificates
Certificates will be awarded for the successful completion of a major identified as a Certificate in the College catalog. To be eligible for a Certificate, the student is expected to satisfy the following:
- Complete a recommended major as set forth in the College Catalog. Students may substitute courses with prior written permission of the appropriate Assistant Dean or Dean. Written approval for substitutions is processed concurrently with the scheduling process. Courses numbered 001-009 cannot be used to meet graduation requirements.
- Complete at least half of the credits required, including the last semester, in courses offered by the College. This includes credit received for advanced placement, credit by examination, or work/life experience. A student must be enrolled in courses at Penn College for at least 12 credits of the final 30 credits.
- Earn at least a “C” average (2.0 cumulative grade point average) in all courses and complete all required courses with a grade of “D” or better.
- Fulfill all financial obligations to the College. Diplomas will not be issued to students with holds on their grades.
Additional Information
If, after completing the final semester, the student has not earned all the credits required for an associate degree or certificate, he/she may, with prior approval of the Chief Academic Officer, be permitted to take two courses - eight (8) credits maximum - from another accredited college/institution to fulfill requirements for a degree or certificate from Penn College. Such work must be completed within two years after the last semester in which the student attended classes at Penn College. After two years, the student must reenroll. Only grades of “C” or better are acceptable for such transfer credit. (Grades for transfer credits are not included in the student’s cumulative grade point average.)
All exceptions to graduation requirements must be approved by the Chief Academic Officer or his/her designee.