Graduation Policies, Honors, and Awards

University Policy of Awarding Degrees

Second Graduate Degree Policy

The conferral of two associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and professional degrees should be reserved to recognize that a student has competencies in two essentially different areas.

Students who wish to pursue a second graduate degree at Pace must apply separately and be admitted to the second graduate program. Each degree must represent a distinct academic discipline or area of study.

To earn a second graduate degree at Pace, students must complete a minimum of 24 additional graduate credits beyond those used for the first degree. Courses may not be double counted among degrees unless approved by the Dean of the school in which the program resides and the Office of the Provost. In such cases, students are permitted to use a maximum of two courses, with final grades of “B” or better, from their first degree to apply to requirements for the second/additional degree. For each graduate degree at Pace, students are required to complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) graduate credits in residence at the University.

Each degree program must have its own capstone, thesis, or culminating project. All requirements for the second degree must be completed within the standard time limit for graduate programs.

Requirements for Graduation - Certain time limits are set for completion of all degree requirements:

Under extenuating circumstances, a request for extension of time may be submitted for consideration by the department chair or Dean of the School, dependent on departmental policies. 

To qualify for a degree or certificate, each student is required to meet the course requirements of their program of study and satisfy a minimum number of approved courses in residence at the University.  In addition, the student must obtain a cumulative quality point average of at least 3.00 to graduate.

See individual schools in this catalog for specific requirements appropriate to each degree program.

Commencement - Commencement exercises are scheduled once a year, every May. Degree recipients in December, or students who are expected to complete their degree requirements in May or August of the same year, are eligible to participate in commencement exercises in May.