Undergraduate Graduation

Commencement

Commencement ceremonies are held in Joliet, IL in May and December. Consult the USF Academic Calendar for the commencement dates. Specific information on the graduation activities is e-mailed to each graduate prior to the commencement date. Diplomas are mailed approximately 6 weeks following the awarding of the degree. Students who have holds on their account will not be allowed to attend the commencement ceremony and their diploma and transcripts will be held until the holds are released.

Undergraduate Graduation Requirements

Candidates for the bachelor’s degree must complete the following:

  • complete the Application for Graduation available through the MyUSF Portal (consult the Academic Calendar for specific deadlines); declaring a certificate is also due by the graduation application deadline
  • earn a minimum of 120 credit hours of college credit
  • complete the residency requirement of a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved undergraduate credit at USF. All students must complete a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of upper division (300-400) course work, in the major, in residence at USF. In addition, thirty (30) of the last thirty-six (36) hours taken before graduation must be USF courses. (Note: individual colleges may have additional residency requirements)
  • complete all requirements with respect to the major program, support courses, general education, and electives
  • achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher at USF
  • earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses required by the major (including any specific General Education course(s) required by the major) and any minor programs (if applicable)
  • satisfy all financial requirements with the Business and Financial Aid Offices

It is the responsibility of the student to see that all graduation requirements are met. If a student withdraws for more than one semester, the catalog and regulations in effect at the time of their return will apply. Students completing a double major must select which degree they wish to receive since the University only awards one degree at graduation (however, the second major will appear on the transcript). If a student returns to complete a second major, they may apply for a second degree only if the new major leads to a different degree and they have met the current general education requirements in place at the time of awarding.

Earning a Certificate

USF offers certificates at the undergraduate levels. A formal application is required for a certificate to be awarded. The Application for Certificate is available through the MyUSF Portal (consult the Academic Calendar for specific deadlines). Students earning only a certificate are not eligible to participate in Commencement. Certificates are mailed approximately 6 weeks after the term has ended.

Graduation Honors

Graduation honors are awarded to undergraduate students who have attended the University of St. Francis full time (12 hours or more) for at least two years (four semesters), or have earned at least 60 credit hours at USF. The award is given on the basis of the cumulative grade point average earned at USF.

3.5 - 3.69 receives the baccalaureate degree cum laude

3.7 - 3.89 receives the baccalaureate degree magna cum laude

3.9 - 4.00 receives the baccalaureate degree summa cum laude

Honors designation does not apply for graduate and certificate students. For commencement purposes, graduation honors will be based on qualification at the time of the previous completed semester at USF. Final honors will be indicated on the student's diploma and final transcript.

Graduation Awards

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Student Leadership Award – Awarded to the student within an ACBSP accredited business program who expresses leadership in his or her field.

Amy Lynn D’Amico Outstanding Student Teacher Award - The Outstanding Student Teacher Award is named in honor of the memory of Amy Lynn D’Amico and is presented to the student teacher who demonstrates Amy’s spirit, leadership, caring, and commitment to education. The recipient, like Amy, exemplifies the College of Education’s conceptual framework through an understanding of children, selfless service, and unfailing professionalism.

Angela Y. Davis Criminal and Social Justice Award – Awarded to an outstanding Criminal and Social Justice graduate who has demonstrated excellence in the discipline through course work, presentation, and research, with a GPA of 3.5 or greater.

Business Student Achievement Award – Awarded to the graduating senior who has attained both academic distinction and exceptional scholastic achievement in the School of Business.

Dorothy Kenney Busse Award – This award was established by Dorothy Kenney Busse’s daughter, Kathy French, to honor her mother’s legacy in Nursing and is awarded to a graduating senior nursing student who is passionate about his/her field of study.

DNP Scholarship Award – Presented to the graduating DNP student whose culminating thesis has direct implications for health care practice improvement, exemplifying high standards of knowledge exchange, synthesis and ethically sound application.

Elizabeth McGuire Masek Award - This award honors the memory of Elizabeth McGuire Masek, RN, who exemplified, both as an alumna and as a faculty member, the motto of the College of Nursing, "Pro Deo et Humanitate." The award is given each credit to a basic nursing student - full time (12) credit hours or more - with the highest cumulative grade point average in the nursing major.

Joan Nahas Ramuta Computer Science Award - Presented to a junior or senior who exhibits academic excellence (3.5 or above GPA), demonstrates exemplary character standards, and has performed outstanding service to the department serving as a role model to his/her peers.

Lincoln Laureate – The Lincoln Academy’s Student Laureate Awards are presented by the Governor of Illinois to an outstanding senior from every four-year college and university in the State to recognize overall excellence in curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Lois K. Benich Award – This award is given to the graduate who has shown outstanding character and concern for his or her fellow man through the giving of time and energy. The award is given in honor of Lois Benich, the first president of the College of Nursing, who for many years demonstrated her outstanding character and set a fine example for students and faculty.

Margaret Brophy Award – This award is presented to the student(s) recognized by the faculty and his/her peers as having contributed significantly to the College of Nursing & Allied Health. Contributions include the generous giving of time and effort to promote the goals of the College, the welfare of the student body and the image of the College within the community. The award honors the contributions of Margaret Brophy who succeeded Sister Priscilla as director of the School of Nursing.

Meritorious Service Award - Students who make a significant contribution of outstanding service to the University of St. Francis are eligible to receive the Meritorious Service Award.

Outstanding Advanced Practice Nursing Student Award – Awarded to the student who has achieved throughout his/her studies a high GPA and exemplifies qualities seen by the faculty that display the essence of this profession, intellectual virtue, a passion for seeking beyond what looks apparent, and adheres to the Franciscan values of respect, service, integrity, and compassion.

Professional Service Award – Awarded to the student in the Leach College of Nursing who exhibits exemplary dedication, spirit, and selfless commitment of time, energy, and resources in contributing to a professional organization.

Scholar Athlete Award – Presented to the senior student-athlete who has earned the highest GPA of his/her graduating class.

Sister Beatrice Schiller English Award - Awarded to a graduating English major who exemplifies intellectual growth, commitment to the study of literature and effective communication.

Sister Claudia Zeller Excellence in Mathematical Achievement Award - The Sister Claudia Zeller Excellence in Mathematical Achievement Award is presented to the graduating mathematics major who successfully completed the mathematics senior capstone, exhibits outstanding academic achievement in the discipline, along with scholarly work in mathematics and/or service to the department.

Sister M. Priscilla Sapp Award - The Sister M. Priscilla Sapp award is presented to the Registered Nurse student who holds the highest GPA from among the registered nurse graduates each spring and fall semesters (in case of a tie in GPA, the highest number of GPA hours will be used to decide the award recipient). The Sapp award recognizes recipients for their academic achievement while maintaining full- or part-time employment as Registered Nurses. The award honors the memory of Sister M. Priscilla Sapp O.S.F., the former Director of Saint Joseph Hospital School of Nursing. Through her forward vision of nursing education, Sister Priscilla laid the foundation for the College of Nursing.

Sister Rosemary Small Franciscan Values Award – This award is in honor of Sr. Rosemary Small’s legacy; College of St. Francis alumna, member of the founding congregation and vice president emerita. Awarded to the student whom has exemplified the four Franciscan values of respect, integrity, service, and compassion during the course of his/her years of study at USF.

Sister Mary Vincent Kirk Award - The award is given to the graduating senior who has distinguished him or herself academically within the biology major, and whose undergraduate career best reflects Sr. Kirk's breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm for learning science.

Frank P. Weberg Award - An award to the outstanding graduating senior who has majored in history or political science. Criteria include academic excellence; distinguished service to the department, the University or the community; good character; and the submission of a truly scholarly paper. The award memorializes former history professor Dr. Frank Weberg.

C. Vann Woodward Award - C. Vann Woodward was a prominent scholar whose works not only made an outstanding contribution to historical knowledge, but also made a significant impact on American society. The Woodward award is given to a senior history major whose academic work demonstrates careful, quality scholarship and whose activities or example show great promise of leadership in the future. The Woodward award is endowed by friends of the history department.

Visionary Leadership Award – This award, created and funded by the Alumni Association, engages our future alumni leaders as students. Applicants will describe their leadership qualities and develop an event/program geared towards keeping alumni connected with their alma mater. Up to $3,000 is awarded annually to selected undergraduate students. You must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA and be involved as a leader in student clubs, athletics, or extracurricular activities.