Policies Governing Graduation
In order to graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences, students must meet degree requirements and comply with the following conditions by the dates indicated in the timeline for their expected month of graduation.
Grade Point Average to Graduate
Students must maintain a 2.0 overall grade point average, and a 2.0 average (or better, depending on the department) in major courses.
For More Information about Grade Point Average
Pass/Fail Grade at Graduation
Any courses taken on a pass/fail basis will not automatically apply to a major or minor. Students who wish to use a Pass/Fail course towards the major or minor should consult with the department or program advisor. If that advisor approves, they should email Shannon Fioravanti in the College office. The College will ask the Registrar to uncover the grade. This cannot be done until the student's final semester.
Financial Holds and Obligations
All financial holds must be cleared and resolved before graduation. Graduates who have not resolved these holds may have their diplomas held. Students should contact Student Registration and Financial Services (SRFS) for help resolving their holds.
Graduation Honors
In recognition of distinguished academic achievement and high standards of academic integrity, the University of Pennsylvania awards graduation honors to undergraduate students based on the cumulative g.p.a. on their transcripts at the time of graduation:
- summa cum laude: 3.8 or higher
- magna cum laude: 3.6 or higher, but less than 3.8
- cum laude: 3.4 or higher, but less than 3.6
A student who has received a sanction of probation or greater for a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity, the Code of Student Conduct, or the Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence, and Stalking Policy is not eligible for Graduation Honors. Notation of Graduation Honors will be removed from the transcript if the finding occurs after this honor has been posted.
Major and Minor Certification
Each department, program or individualized major advisor will certify students as having met the requirements for the respective majors and minors.
Seniors should consult with an advisor in the department or program in which they wish to minor, to confirm that the minor has been certified as completed in the Degree Audit in Path and posted to the student’s transcript.
Transcripts
All courses applying towards the undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Degree in Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania before a student receives an undergraduate degree are recorded on the student’s undergraduate transcript. At the date of graduation, the transcript is closed, i.e., no changes may be made thereafter.
Students can view and request official copies of their undergraduate transcript on Path@Penn.