Degree candidates must meet the graduation requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of graduation or of either of the previous two catalogs, provided that the student was enrolled, at either Briar Cliff University or another institution with which Briar Cliff University has a joint admission articulation, under the chosen catalog. Briar Cliff University reserves the
right to make changes in curricula. However, any time a change is made either in course or program offerings, appendices to the previous two catalogs will be available reflecting alternatives to programs or courses which have undergone significant changes. Students are ultimately responsible for meeting the catalog requirements for which they are eligible.

Students who have not completed all the requirements for graduation may participate in the commencement exercises upon the submission of a written plan documenting how they will be able to complete these requirements. This plan must be approved by the student’s advisor and the academic dean.

Associate Degree
A candidate for an associate degree must meet the following requirements:

• Show credit in a total of 18 term courses and six one-hour courses. The term courses and one-hour courses must total a minimum of 60 credit hours.
• Maintain cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
  Complete intellectual foundations for theology or liberal arts as specified in the catalog.
• Complete at least 15 hours at Briar Cliff.
• Complete the last 15 hours at Briar Cliff, and these may not include credits from any other institution of post secondary education. Exceptions will be made in cases of credit earned from CLEP tests, Regents College Examinations, and departmental proficiency
  examinations.

Bachelor Degree
A candidate for a bachelor degree must meet the following requirements:

• Show credit in a total of 36 term courses and 12 one-hour courses. Of these 12 one-hour courses, six must be different mini courses and no more than two of these may be developmental courses. Six of the one-hour courses must be IR. The 36 term courses and 12 one-hour courses must total a minimum of 120 credit hours. While some mini courses may be taken more than once, for graduation requirements a mini course will only be counted one time.
• Maintain a cumulative and major grade-point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 system. No more than one “D” will be accepted in the major requirements; the same rule applies to the term courses for the minor.
• Complete the three components of Briar Cliff ’s general education program: Intellectual Foundations, Competencies, and Service.
• Complete a major field of concentration. A student may count no more than 13 term courses with the same prefix toward the total of 36 term courses.
• Complete at least 30 semester hours at Briar Cliff University.
• Complete the last 30 credits at Briar Cliff University and these may not include credits transferred from any other institution of post-secondary education. Exceptions will be made in cases of credits earned from CLEP tests, Regents College Examination (formerly ACT), and departmental proficiency examinations.
• Students who have fulfilled requirements for a double major may count up to three term courses from either or both majors to fulfill the general education requirements. While students completing double majors are strongly urged to complete all the required IRs for
  both majors, the student may petition the departments to reduce the total number of IRs to ten. Granting such a request is the prerogative of the departments.
• Students pre-registered for coursework to be taken during the fall term to complete their degree will be allowed to participate in the preceding May graduation ceremony.

Second Bachelor Degree
To receive a second baccalaureate degree at Briar Cliff University a student must:

• Meet in previous or future work the foundation requirements at Briar Cliff.
• Complete in previous or future work the required 36 semester hours for the new major,including a minimum of five term courses and three IRs in the second major at Briar Cliff.
• Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours in residence at Briar Cliff.