This policy defines the circumstances under which a student nearing the completion of their degree at RPI, who passes away while enrolled but before the degree is conferred, may be awarded a degree or certificate posthumously. 

Criteria for Undergraduate Students 

A deceased student who has not completed all requirements for their undergraduate degree at the time of death may be awarded a degree/certificate posthumously based on the percentage of curriculum completed: 

Degree that the student was pursuing will be posthumously awarded provided: 

1. The student was in good standing at the time of death with no disciplinary actions pending.
2. The student was within 16 credits (one semester) of completing all degree requirements.
3. The Dean of the school associated with the student’s primary major approves the degree, having verified that the above conditions have been met. 

Degree with B.S. in General Engineering, B.S. in General Management, etc. (depending on the student’s school) may be awarded if the student completed more than 75% of the degree requirements but did not meet the criteria outlined in (1). 

A certificate of achievement may be awarded if the student was in good standing at the time of death with no disciplinary actions pending and completed less than 75% of the degree requirements but completed at least one semester at RPI 

Criteria for Graduate Students 

A deceased student who has not completed all requirements for their graduate degree at the time of death may be awarded the degree/certificate they were pursuing posthumously, provided the following conditions are met: 

Degree that the student was pursuing will be posthumously awarded provided: 

1. The student was in good standing at the time of death with no disciplinary actions pending.
2. For a master’s student: The student was enrolled in the final semester of credits required to earn their degree or within 9 credits of completing all degree requirements.
3. For a doctoral student: The student has completed all required coursework for their degree but has not yet submitted and/or defended the final dissertation. The student’s doctoral committee will determine whether the work completed merits the awarding of the degree.
4. The Dean of the school associated with the student’s primary major approves the degree after verifying that either condition (1b) or (1c) above have been met. 

A certificate of achievement may be awarded if the student was in good standing at the time of death with no disciplinary actions pending and completed at least 9 credits but less than the requirements listed in (1) above.