General Degree Requirements:

• Complete all shared curriculum requirements.
• Complete all requirements and performance standards for the major as well as one writing-intensive course in the major, as set forth in the catalog effective at time of matriculation. (Major requirements are presented in the catalog under the appropriate discipline.) Students may change to a subsequent catalog governing their degree requirements, but must meet all requirements of that catalog.
• Complete a minimum of 36 credits at the junior/senior level (courses numbered 300 or above).
• Degree-seeking students: Earn a minimum of 32 credits in residence.
• Complete a minimum of 126 credit hours with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0. Of these 126 credit hours, a maximum of eight semester-credit hours (12 quarter-credit hours) can be PE, athletics or fitness/wellness credits. This includes institutional and/or transfer credits of this kind.
• Thirty-two of the last 40 credits required for graduation must be taken at Whitworth.
• Complete all degree requirements within six years of matriculation.
• Complete an application for graduation.

I. Requirements for Major

Complete all requirements and performance standards for the major and one writing-intensive course as set forth in the catalog effective at time of matriculation. (Major requirements are presented in the catalog under the appropriate discipline.) Students may change to a subsequent catalog governing their degree requirements, but they must meet all requirements of that catalog.

II. Upper-Division Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits at the junior/senior level (courses numbered 300 or above).

III. Residency

At least 32 semester credits must be completed in residence at Whitworth for each program level (undergraduate or graduate) that the student pursues.

IV. Grade-Point Average

A student must earn at least a 2.0 average in 1) all Whitworth courses and 2) all courses in the declared major. Education and athletic training students, see School of Education and athletic training department for GPA requirements.

V. Degree-Completion Requirements

Thirty-two of the last 40 credits needed for the degree must be taken at Whitworth. Students must complete all degree requirements within six years from the time of matriculation. Part-time students may petition this policy. Students who withdraw from Whitworth and return after an absence of more than two years must meet the graduation requirements in effect at the time of their return and must complete all degree requirements within six years of the time of their return (matriculation). Students must complete a minimum of one course if the above-mentioned requirements have been met. Additional information may be obtained from the registrar’s office.

VI. Application for Graduation and Commencement Participation

Students must complete an application for graduation during the fall of the academic year in which they will complete their degree. The graduation application is available in Self-Service. In order to be eligible to apply for graduation, and subsequently, participate in the May commencement ceremony, a student’s coursework at Whitworth must be completed before the start of the next academic year.

Students who apply for graduation and are unable to complete their degree requirements by their anticipated completion date must submit a second application for graduation if all their degree requirements are not met within one year of their original anticipated graduation date and are subject to all applicable fees.

Detailed commencement information will be sent to all students who have been approved to graduate and indicate they will participate in the commencement ceremony.

Double Majors

A student may graduate with more than one major if all requirements are met for each major. Some departments restrict double majors within their department. Talk with your advisor regarding your department's policy.

Requirements for a Second Baccalaureate Degree

A Whitworth graduate seeking a second bachelor’s degree must meet the major requirements of the second major, successfully reapply for admission, satisfy the shared curriculum requirements in place at the time the second degree is initiated, and complete 30 credits of work beyond the first degree. A second degree will not be awarded unless the graduate re-enrolls at Whitworth and completes a minimum of one course (if the above-mentioned requirements have been met). 

Students with a bachelor’s degree from another institution who pursue a B.A. or B.S. at Whitworth will be expected to meet all the major and degree requirements, including the residency requirement (32 credits) and the shared curriculum requirements, in place at the time the second degree is initiated; they must also earn a degree in a field other than the field of the first degree.