Bachelor's degree graduation requirements

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded to students who have earned a minimum of 180 quarter hours (equivalent to 120 semester credit hours) of appropriate credit in an approved program of study, with an overall cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher, as well as a 3.0 or higher in their major or concentration. Students pursuing a minor must earn a grade-point average of 2.0 or higher in their minor program. To graduate with a double major, students must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in each major and a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.0. The final 45 hours of any degree program must be completed at SCAD (may include SCADnow online and study abroad). Students must complete all academic requirements for undergraduate majors and minors before beginning a SCAD graduate degree.

Bachelor’s degree students must complete the application for graduation at least two quarters before they complete their degree requirements. The graduation application is required whether or not the student plans to participate in a commencement ceremony. A commencement ceremony is held at the end of spring quarter. Students who plan to participate in the commencement ceremony must complete all degree requirements no later than the summer quarter following the ceremony. Students should note that course offerings may be limited in the summer. Students who would like to participate in the commencement ceremony must apply by the deadline and adhere to ceremony participation requirements posted in MySCAD (MySCAD > Resources > Department Directory > Registrar > Graduation and Commencement).

Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree students may be awarded academic honors based on their cumulative grade-point average during their last quarter before commencement. Since commencement is scheduled before final grades are submitted, the cumulative grade-point averages of students who complete their graduation requirements spring quarter are based on their averages the previous quarter. Students who have a cumulative grade-point average below a specific honor level prior to commencement, but earn the required average after grades are calculated, have that honor indicated on their diploma.

Honors
Cum Laude — 3.5 to 3.69 GPA
Magna Cum Laude — 3.7 to 3.89 GPA
Summa Cum Laude — 3.9 to 4.0 GPA 

Students enrolled in B.F.A. programs in art history and architectural history are required to complete a thesis as part of their graduation requirements. Students register for the thesis course at the end of their course of study and are expected to complete the thesis by the end of the final enrollment term. Students who do not finish their theses by the end of the term may request a grade of incomplete subject to the temporary grade of incomplete policy.