Posthumous Degrees
Category: Registrar/ FERPA
Last updated: 12/03/2025
Statement
To provide a degree to students who have or who have nearly completed their degree but who died before graduation.
Purpose
To provide a degree to students who have or who have nearly completed their degree but who died before graduation.
Audience
All members of the St. Olaf community.
Definitions
Policy
Posthumous Degrees
Posthumous degrees provide St. Olaf College with an established avenue for recognizing the academic achievement of students who have completed all or nearly all of their degree requirements but died before graduating. The College may award a posthumous degree to students with senior classification, who are enrolled, or on an approved leave, and who have completed a significant amount of their coursework to warrant the academic award at the time of death. Requests must be approved by the Department Chair, the Associate Dean, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the College President.
Exceptions to This Policy
Policy Implementation
Requests for the granting of a posthumous degree must be approved by the Department Chair, the Associate Dean, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the College President.
Consequences of Violating this Policy
Related Information
https://catalog.stolaf.edu/academic-regulations-procedures/graduation-commencement/
Contacts
For questions about this policy, contact:
| Name/Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Ericka Peterson/Registrar’s Office | 507-786-3015 | registrar@stolaf.edu |
History
The most accurate and up to date policy can be found in the current academic catalog and supersedes priority policy and definition. Prior and original policy for Posthumous Degrees can be found in archived academic catalogs.