Minimum credit hour requirements are 60 hours for an associate degree, 120 hours for a bachelor degree, and 32 hours for a master’s degree. Applied associate degrees generally exceed 64 hours and may be as high as 73 hours. Most students exceed minimum requirements for graduation. In addition, for the bachelor degree, the student must take at least thirty-three (33) hours at the 30000-40000 level unless exception is made for the program by the Academic Policy Committee. Associate degree candidates must complete the General Education Program and an area of concentration for the Associate of Arts Degree or the prescribed program for an associate degree in a technical area. For the bachelor degree, students must complete the General Education Program and at least one of the following: (1) a major and minor program, (2) a comprehensive major, or (3) an approved teacher licensure program. Students seeking a degree from the University and Community College must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Declare and complete the prescribed program of studies;
2. Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for all courses, for each major, and for each minor. Some programs or parts of programs may require higher grade point averages for graduation.
3. For an associate degree, a student must be enrolled in the University and the Community College for the last 20 hours and must take at least two courses in the area of concentration. Students seeking the Associate Degree in Nursing must complete all degree requirements within five years of their semester of initial enrollment in the Nursing Program. Students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree must complete all degree requirements within seven (7) years of their semester of initial enrollment in the R.N. – B.S.N. Program.
4. For a transfer student seeking a baccalaureate degree, a minimum of 30 hours must be taken at the University. At least 20 of these hours must be in upper level (30000 and 40000) courses. At least 10 of these 20 upper level course hours must be in the major.
5. Credit earned through experiential learning (i.e., Life Experience Credit) does not count toward the residency requirement for any degree or program.
6. Apply for awarding of degree and for participation in the Commencement upon senior standing.
7. Complete assessment activities for appropriate major and General Education. The results of such assessment activities will in no way affect a student’s grades or academic status, but will be utilized by the University Assessment Program to assess and further improve the quality of instruction and student learning.
8. Where any major/minor combination has certain identical course requirements for a baccalaureate degree, then said courses may apply to applicable areas, except the BSW. However, the school(s) involved reserve(s) the right to recommend to the Academic Policy Committee additional/special requirements.

1. Complete the Application for Awarding of Degree
   PLEASE CLEARLY PRINT OR TYPE NAME AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON THE DIPLOMA AND IN THE COMMENCEMENT
   PROGRAM.
   This information is solely used for the Commencement Program and diploma. Report any changes immediately to the
   Registrar. Submitting a Change of Name/Address Form with the Registrar’s Office will NOT automatically update the
   Commencement Program.
2. Submit the application and cap & gown order to the Registrar’s Office.
   Applications may be submitted via fax to 740-245-7445, e-mailed to records@rio.edu, or in person in the Reardon One-Stop.
   Rio Grande’s commencement ceremony is held annually in the spring. Late applications are subject to refusal. CHECK THE
   RIO CALENDAR FOR DATES!
3. Graduation Fee.
   The graduation fee is non-refundable and is due regardless of ceremony participation. If degree requirements are
   not completed as scheduled, a new application and fee must be submitted for the next commencement ceremony. Several
   payment options are available; contact the Business Office at 740-245-7226 or businessoffice@rio.edu for more information.
   Please consult the current “Tuition and Fees” listing on the Business Office website at:
   http://www.rio.edu/business-office for fee schedule.
4. Commencement Ceremony Participation.
   Participation is a graduation requirement. If absence is unavoidable, permission must be requested in writing to the
   Registrar, Olivia Bevan via mail: Attn: Olivia Bevan, University of Rio Grande, Registrar’s Office, P O Box 500, Rio Grande, OH
   45674 or via e-mail: obevan@rio.edu
5. Participation as a “summer” graduate (walking prior to completion of requirements).
   In order to “walk” in the ceremony but complete academic work during the summer, all coursework must be completed by
   the end of the second summer session with the ending date as published in the Rio calendar. Final honors will appear on
   the transcript after the posting of summer grades.
   In addition, there must be no more than 12 semester hours to complete. MARK THE FORM SUMMER.
6. GRANDE FINALE & CAREER FAIR
   Grande Finale, which is held in March, is the final opportunity to confirm the accuracy of commencement information;
   receive financial aid exit counseling; confirm account status; and speak with an alumni representative. For information
   regarding Grande Finale, please contact Sherri Jarrell at sjarrell@rio.edu or 740-245-7368.
   The Career Fair is also held during Spring Semester. For additional information regarding the Career Fair, contact Susan Haft
   at 740-245-7276.
7. Seeking employment? Make an appointment with the New Student Advising Office, Testing & Career Services.
   The New Student Advising, Testing & Career Services Office offers services such as resume assistance, mock interviews, and
   registration on College Central Network, Rio’s online job board. The office also hosts the annual Rio Career Fair, and the
   Teacher Recruitment Consortium both of which are held in the spring. Please stop by Rhodes Center, Room 115.
8. Caps and gowns will be available for pick up the week of commencement, as well as prior to the ceremony in the Rio
   Bookstore. Caps and gowns not claimed within two weeks following the ceremony will be forfeited.
   Diplomas are not distributed during the ceremony. A notice will be inside the folder with information regarding
   distribution dates.

Grad Application Procedure