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Policy 1.5: Program Duration & Graduation Eligibility  

Applies to: A/BSN, CIPCT, DNP, Certs, PhD

I. Policy Statement

The School of Nursing is committed to supporting timely degree completion and ensuring that students meet graduation eligibility standards consistent with university policies. Degree requirements, including allowable time to degree, are defined by the University and detailed in applicable Graduate School and undergraduate policies.

Students are responsible for maintaining awareness of academic requirements and timelines for their program. Faculty and staff provide guidance and monitoring to support student progression.

Graduation eligibility is determined by the University of Washington and the School of Nursing based on:

  • Completion of all degree requirements (curriculum, milestones, clinical hours, and final project/thesis/dissertation as applicable)
  • Meeting minimum GPA and credit requirements
  • Satisfying all professionalism and essential qualifications standards
  • Submission of all required graduation applications and approvals within stated deadlines

II. Program Duration

A. Undergraduate (A/BSN) Students

  • ABSN: Expected to complete within 4 academic quarters (1 calendar year)
  • BSN: Expected to complete within 6 academic quarters (2 academic years)
  • Altered progression plans must be reviewed and approved by the BSN Coordinating Committee (BSNCC).

B. Graduate (CIPCT, DNP, PhD) Students

Graduate students must complete all degree requirements within the maximum timeframes below. Time-to-degree is measured from the student’s initial quarter of enrollment in the program.

  • CIPCT: 6 years
  • DNP: 4 years
  • PhD: 10 years
  • Altered progression plans must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate Program Coordinating Committee (DNPCC, M/PhDCC).

III. Graduation Eligibility Requirements

A. Undergraduate (A/BSN) Students

To be eligible to graduate, students must:

  • Complete all SoN program requirements, including coursework, clinical hours, and meet essential qualifications/professional standards.
  • Meet UW undergraduate degree requirements:
    • Cumulative GPA ≥ 2.0
    • Satisfy general education and writing requirements
    • Earn at least 45 credits in residence at UW
  • Complete the graduation application process:
    • The undergraduate adviser submits the online graduation application to the UW Registrar and uploads the degree audit.
    • The student receives an email from the Registrar with a link to review and confirm the application.

B. Graduate (CIPCT, DNP, PhD) Students

To be eligible to graduate, students must:

  • Complete all SoN program requirements, including coursework, milestones, and any required final project, thesis, or dissertation.
  • Meet Graduate School requirements:
    • Cumulative GPA ≥ 3.0
    • Be registered for the quarter of degree conferral
    • Submit the Graduation Request via MyGrad by the posted Graduate School deadline
  • Have no unresolved academic or professionalism concerns under Graduate School Policy 3.7 or SoN policies.
  • Submit any required final materials to the Graduate School (e.g., ETD for PhD dissertations).

IV. Process

A. Undergraduate (A/BSN) Students

  • OSAA monitors progression each quarter.
  • Near program completion, the undergraduate adviser submits the graduation application to the Registrar, uploads the degree audit, and triggers the student confirmation process.
  • Students must confirm the application via the Registrar’s email link and resolve any outstanding degree requirement issues prior to the end of their final quarter.

B. Graduate (CIPCT, DNP, PhD) Students

  • OSAA and program staff monitor progression and communicate with students nearing degree completion.
  • CIPCT, DNP, and PhD students must submit a Graduation Request in MyGrad by the Graduate School deadline for the intended quarter of graduation. Students must be registered for the quarter in which the degree is conferred.
  • OSAA and the Coordinating Committee verify that all degree requirements are complete before approving the MyGrad request.
  • Students complete any required final Graduate School submissions (e.g., ETD for PhD dissertations).

V. Eligibility to Participate in UW Commencement, School of Nursing Convocation, and Pinning Ceremonies

Participation in the University of Washington Commencement, the School of Nursing Convocation, and School of Nursing pinning ceremonies are celebratory events and do not constitute degree conferral. Degree conferral is determined solely by the University of Washington upon successful completion of all graduation requirements.

A. University of Washington Commencement

All undergraduate and graduate students may participate in the University’s Commencement ceremony at the end of Spring quarter in accordance with UW Commencement participation guidelines.

B. School of Nursing Convocation

  • Standard eligibility: Students who have graduated between the prior Summer quarter and the current Spring quarter of the academic year.
  • ABSN students: SBoth Autumn and Spring ABSN cohorts may participate at the end of Spring quarter during their program enrollment.
  • Graduate case-by-case exception: A graduate student may participate if:
    • They have a committee-approved Summer defense (master’s) or final exam (doctoral) date, and
    • Their supervisory committee chair (and program adviser, if applicable) confirms all other degree requirements are fulfilled, and
    • The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs grants written approval at least 14 calendar days before Convocation.

C. Pinning Ceremonies

  • ABSN Autumn-entry cohort: pinning ceremony at the end of Summer quarter.
  • ABSN Spring-entry cohort: pinning ceremony at the end of Winter quarter.
  • BSN students: Pinning ceremony occurs in the second (final) year of the program at the end of Spring quarter, either before or after Convocation.
  • DNP students: Pinning ceremony occurs at the end of Winter quarter.

D. Event Selection

Students may choose to participate in one, multiple, or none of these celebratory events in a given academic year.

VI. RACI Table: Program Duration & Graduation Eligibility

Task / Role Student OSAA Coordinating Committee Associate Dean for Student & Academic Affairs
Monitor time-to-degree and graduation eligibility R R A C
Initiate graduation application and planning R R I I
Review altered progression requests R C A I
Review and communicate completion of degree requirements I R/A I C
Determine and confirm eligibility for UW Commencement, Convocation, and Pinning R R/A A (case-by-case convocation approval)

RACI Legend:

  • R = Responsible: Performs the task
  • A = Accountable: Ultimately answerable
  • C = Consulted: Provides input
  • I = Informed: Kept up to date

Related Policies & References

Last updated: September 2025