Posthumous Degrees Policy

Effective: June 1, 2020  

Policy owner: Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs  

Policy contact: University Registrar, registrar@colorado.edu  

Applies to: Faculty, administrative staff, departments, and programs involved in awarding degrees  

I. Introduction

A posthumous degree is a University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) degree that is awarded to a deceased student in recognition of the student’s academic progress and achievement. This policy establishes minimum eligibility criteria for a posthumous degree to uphold academic and institutional integrity. 

II. Definitions 

Academic progress: The documented completion of coursework and other academic requirements toward a degree program, as reflected in the student’s official academic record. 

Academic record: The official record maintained by the university that documents a student’s enrollment history, coursework, grades, and progress toward completion of degree requirements. 

Degree program: An approved course of study leading to the awarding of an academic degree by the University of Colorado Boulder. 

Degree requirements: All academic conditions (including required courses, credit hours, and other programmatic requirements) that must be satisfied to earn a specific degree, as defined by the relevant academic department, program, college, or school and recorded in the CU Boulder university catalog.  

Good academic standing: A status indicating that a student is eligible to continue enrollment at the university and is not subject to academic suspension, dismissal, or other academic sanctions that would prevent continued progress toward a degree. 

Major: The primary academic discipline or field of study in which a student is enrolled within a degree program. 

Posthumous degree: A degree awarded by the University of Colorado Boulder after a student’s death in recognition of the student’s academic progress toward completion of an approved course of study, when the eligibility criteria defined in this policy are met. 

III. Roles and Responsibilities 

Board of Regents: Awards academic degrees upon recommendation of the faculty of the relevant school or college in accordance with Regent Law Article 4.B, including degrees recommended for posthumous conferral. 

College or School Dean (or designee): Reviews the student's academic record to determine whether the eligibility requirements for a posthumous degree are met; communicates approval or denial of the request to the relevant designated administrator of the degree program; and notifies the Office of the Registrar when a recommendation for a posthumous degree is approved. 

Dean of Students: Upon notification of a student's death, informs the dean of the college(s) or school(s) in which the student was last enrolled to initiate review of eligibility for a posthumous degree. 

Designated administrator of the degree program: Reviews eligibility information provided by the college or school, including documentation of the student’s academic standing and progress toward completion of degree requirements, and may submit a formal request recommending that a posthumous degree be awarded. 

University Registrar: Serves as the administrative policy contact responsible for providing guidance regarding interpretation and implementation of the policy; records approved posthumous degree awards in the student academic record; coordinates diploma production; and ensures that the award is reflected in commencement materials. 

Vice Chancellor for Academic Planning and Assessment: Oversees institutional coordination and implementation of the Posthumous Degrees Policy. 

IV. Policy Statement

  1. Regent Law Article 4.B. provides that upon the recommendation of the faculty of a school or college, the Board of Regents shall award the appropriate academic degrees to students who have successfully completed an approved course of study. CU Boulder may recommend the award of a posthumous degree to a student who, at the time of death, was in good academic standing and had completed sufficient academic work, as defined by this policy. 
  2. The dean of a school or college may recommend a deceased student for a posthumous degree if: 
    1. The student was registered in at least one course during an academic term at CU Boulder at the time of death, unless enrollment was interrupted by injury, illness, military deployment or similar circumstance or unless the time of death was during summer term or winter break and the student was not enrolled at that time. 
    2. The student was in good academic standing at the time of death. 
    3. The dean of the school or college offering the degree determines that the student completed 75% of the requirements for the degree. 
  3. More than one posthumous degree may be awarded to a student who is eligible. 

V. Procedures

  1. Upon learning of the death of a current student, the dean of students informs the dean of the college(s) or school(s) in which the student was last enrolled. 
  2. The dean of the college or school (or designee) reviews the student’s academic record to determine if the student meets the eligibility criteria in this policy. If the student is eligible for a posthumous degree, the dean of the college or school (or designee) notifies the designated administrator of the degree program, typically the department chair or program director. 
  3. The designated administrator of the degree program may submit a formal request for approval of a posthumous degree to the dean with details including the student's name, degree and major and the term of enrollment, student’s academic standing, and student’s progress toward completing degree requirements at the time of death. For students enrolled in multiple degrees or multiple majors, more than one degree program may submit a request. 
  4. Upon approving a posthumous degree, the dean notifies the designated administrator of the degree program and the Office of the Registrar. 
  5. If a posthumous degree is not approved, the dean informs the designated administrator of the degree program with reasons for the denial. The dean’s decision is final and not subject to appeal. 
  6. A designated university official notifies the student’s family that the student has been recommended for the degree. 
  7. The Office of the Registrar posts the award of the degree, includes the award in the commencement program, and orders the diploma. The diploma is mailed unless presented during a ceremony. 
  8. A deceased student ineligible for a posthumous degree award may be otherwise recognized, memorialized or commemorated by a school, college, department or program at the discretion of the dean, chair or director. 

VI. Related Policies, Forms, Guidelines, and Other Resources 

VII. History 

  1. Adopted: June 1, 2020 
  2. Revised: N/A 
  3. Last Reviewed: April 6, 2026