Posthumous degrees can be granted to an undergraduate student who, at the time of their death, was pursuing the completion of a University of Waterloo undergraduate degree. If a student is terminally ill, similar criteria can be used, and the approval of the degree expedited.
Senate has delegated the authority to award posthumous degrees to the university registrar and the associate vice president, academic. Typically, the associate provost, students (or designate) and/or associate dean, undergraduate from the student’s home faculty, in collaboration with the relevant academic unit head, initiates the process for recommending a posthumous degree to the university registrar and associate vice president, academic.
Criteria to Grant a Posthumous Degree
Normally, 50% or more of the degree’s total required units are completed successfully.
Notes
- Any declared majors, minors, options, and specializations, with 50% or more units successfully completed, are also noted on the posthumous degree.
- Certificates and diplomas will not be considered to be awarded posthumously.
- If 50% or more of the declared program’s total required units have not been completed, but the student has completed a minimum of 50% of the total required units for a different program, that alternate credential could be noted on the awarded posthumous degree. For example, granting Three-Year General Liberal Studies instead of Honours Anthropology.
- Only the student’s transcript will indicate that the degree was granted posthumously.
Criteria to Grant a Posthumous Certificate of Degree Enrolment
When the 50% academic requirement threshold for a posthumous degree has not been met.
Notes
- The Certificate of Degree Enrolment is not considered a credential and will not be recognized during formal convocation exercises.
- The Certificate of Degree Enrolment will be noted on the transcript as transcript text.