Posthumous Degree

Policy Administrator: Provost
Authority: N.J.S.A. 18A:64:6
Effective Date: November 19, 1982; November 10, 2009; February 16, 2011; July 17, 2024
Index Cross-References: Procedure 3930 Student Death Notification
Policy File Number: II-22
Approved By: Board of Trustees

A degree may be awarded posthumously under the following conditions:

1. A deceased student is eligible for a posthumous degree if they have completed a minimum of 50% of their degree program and are in good standing.

2. A family member of the deceased student or other interested party may complete the posthumous degree form on the Registrar’s website.

3. If a deceased student has completed less than 50% of their degree program or is not in good standing, the program faculty may be petitioned for posthumous
degree conferral. This includes the program faculty agreeing to waive remaining degree requirements. The Provost has the final authority to review eligibility, waive any remaining degree requirements and confer the posthumous degree.

4. The posthumous degree may be noted in the commencement program but not on the diploma. A deceased student’s next of kin will be afforded a choice as to whether they want the conferral listed in the commencement program.

Review History: Date Policy Administrator 01/22/2022 AA Leadership 08/15/2022 Faculty Senate 02/16/2024 Divisional Executive 03/05/2024 Counsel 03/25/2024 Cabinet 04/04/2024 President 04/04/2024 Board of Trustees 07/17/2024