To graduate, a student must meet University, college or school, and departmental requirements. Only University requirements are listed in this section. Requirements of colleges, schools, and departments appear in the section pertaining to the college, school, or department concerned.
To be eligible for the baccalaureate degree, a student must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all work done in residence at the University.
The graduation GPA is computed when the student has completed all work for the degree and includes only credits earned while in residence at the University.
University General Education and Proficiency Requirements
Beginning Autumn quarter 2007, credits earned in military training courses can be
counted in the basic 180 credits required for graduation.
Prior to Autumn quarter 2007, credits earned in first- and second-year military training courses cannot be counted in the basic 180 credits required for graduation.
Limitation on Physical Education Activity Credits
No more than 3 physical education activity credits can apply toward a degree.
Final-Year Residence Requirement
To be recommended for a first or subsequent baccalaureate degree, a student must complete 45 of the
final 60 credits as a matriculated student in residence at the University. The granting of exceptions
to this rule is the responsibility of the dean of the college or school awarding the degree. If an
exception is granted, the student still must present a minimum of 45 credits taken in residence as a
matriculated student to be awarded a UW degree.
Effective Date for Graduation Requirements
If fewer than ten years have elapsed since a student's admission into her or his major program,
she or he may choose to graduate under the major program requirements in effect at the time of
admission, or under any subsequent requirements. The choice shall be subject to approval of the
student's departmental chair and dean, according to the procedures established in Section 23-48
of the Faculty Code.
If the student wishes to obtain a degree after a lapse of more than ten years from the date of
admission to the major program, she or he must meet the requirements in effect at the time of
graduation unless permission to use earlier requirements is granted, either as a general policy or
expressly for the individual student, by the department, school, or college whose requirements are
in question.
These provisions do not apply to the requirements for teaching certificates, which are prescribed
by the College of Education at the time the certificate is to be granted.
Waiver of Graduation Requirements
A request for waiver of college or University graduation requirements is petitioned to the college
graduation committee, which refers the petition to the Committee on Admissions and Academic
Standards if an all-University requirement is involved. These petition forms are available at the
Graduation and Academic Records Office or the advisory office. A student should see his or her
academic adviser to initiate a petition. Because the Committee on Admissions and Academic
Standards meets only quarterly, petitions involving University requirements should be filed early in
the quarter.
An exemption from an all-University graduation requirement that is granted by the Committee on
Admissions and Academic Standards becomes void at the end of two calendar years from the
date such exemption is granted if all degree requirements have not been completed within that
period.
Graduation Requirements for ROTC Students
As a prerequisite for graduation from the University, students accepted for
the third- and fourth-year advanced ROTC program must complete the advanced
program unless excused or dismissed from this requirement by regulations
prescribed by the Secretary of the Army, the Navy, or the Air Force, whoever
has the authority in the individual case.
2006-2008 UW General Catalog
gencat@u.washington.edu
Modified: April 30, 2007