Overview
Graduation from a Reinhardt University doctoral or advanced graduate program marks the formal recognition of a student's completion of all degree requirements. This section describes the requirements for graduation eligibility, the degree conferral process, and commencement participation for students enrolled in the Education Specialist (EdS), Doctor of Education (EdD), and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs.
Graduation Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for graduation, a student must have:
- Completed all required credit hours for their program and track or concentration
- Earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
- Received a grade of Satisfactory Completion (S) in all capstone courses (EdD and DBA only)
- Resolved all incomplete grades, academic deficiencies, and academic integrity matters
- Met all financial obligations to the University
- Submitted a completed Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar
Program-Specific Completion Requirements
Program | Final Requirement for Graduation Eligibility |
|---|---|
EdS | Successful completion of all 30 required credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher |
EdD | Successful completion of all 54 required credit hours, including a passing grade on the Applied Capstone Project final defense (EDU 900) |
DBA | Successful completion of all 54 required credit hours, including a passing grade on the Applied Doctoral Capstone final defense (DBA 890) |
Application for Graduation
Students must submit a formal Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar prior to the term in which they intend to complete all degree requirements. Submitting an application initiates the graduation audit process, during which the Registrar's Office verifies that all degree requirements have been met.
Degree Conferral
Degrees are conferred at the end of the term in which all graduation requirements are satisfied. Reinhardt University confers degrees at the conclusion of each academic term — fall, spring, and summer.
A student who completes all requirements mid-term will have their degree conferred at the end of that term. Students may not receive degree conferral prior to the end of the term in which final requirements are completed.
Transcript Notation & Diploma
Following degree conferral, the student's official transcript will reflect the degree awarded, the program and track or concentration completed, and the conferral date. A diploma will be issued to the student following the conferral term.
Commencement & Hooding Ceremony
Reinhardt University holds a formal commencement ceremony each May. Doctoral and advanced graduate students who have their degree conferred at the end of the fall, spring, or summer term are eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony following their conferral.
Doctoral graduates participate in a formal hooding ceremony as part of commencement, recognizing the completion of the terminal or advanced graduate degree.
Participation in commencement is encouraged but not required for degree conferral. A student's degree is conferred at the end of their completing term regardless of commencement participation.
Mid-Program EdS Conferral for EdD Students
EdD students who did not enter the program holding an Education Specialist (EdS) degree are eligible to have the EdS degree conferred automatically upon satisfying EdS degree requirements in the course of their EdD studies.
Eligibility for Mid-Program EdS Conferral
The EdD program's 39 credit hours of pre-capstone coursework include the same 30 credit hours required for the EdS degree. EdD students who:
- Complete the 30 credit hours that satisfy EdS degree requirements, and
- Meet all EdS academic standards (cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, no unresolved academic deficiencies)
...are eligible to have the EdS degree conferred at that point in their EdD progression, without any additional coursework or application.
Students interested in EdS conferral during their EdD program should notify the Office of the Registrar upon completing the qualifying 30 credit hours.