Graduation

Students applying for graduation must meet the program/degree requirements set forth by the Catalog of the academic year in which the student declared their major. Degree and certificate requirements must be completed within five academic years after the major was declared. If more than five years have elapsed, students must meet the graduation requirements under the current academic year’s catalog. All students are required to meet with an advisor in order to complete their degree plans

Graduation Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

To be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, students must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete the 120 total semester credit hours of the program requirements: Core Curriculum Courses (42 credit hours), Prerequisites (9 credit hours), RN Courses (36 credits hours), and Upper-Level NURS courses (33 credit hours).
TSI college-level ready status
Complete 25% of coursework at Laredo College (Credit received through other means other than actual course instruction will not be counted in percentage.)
Maintain a minimum program GPA of 2.5 or better while in the program
Submit a graduation application to the Office of Registrars.

Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership (BASORGL)

To be awarded the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership, students must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete the 120 total semester credit hours of the program requirements: Core Curriculum Courses (42 credit hours), Professional Development Courses (48 credit hours), and Upper-Level ORGL courses (30 credit hours)
TSI college-level ready status
Complete 25% of coursework at Laredo College (Credit received through other means other than actual course instruction will not be counted in percentage.)
Maintain a minimum program GPA of 2.5 or better while in the program
Submit a graduation application to the Office of Registrars.

Associate of Arts (AA)

To be awarded the Associate of Arts degree, students must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete the appropriate course of study for an Associate of Arts program as listed in the College Catalog.
TSI college-level ready status
Complete 25% of coursework at Laredo College (Credit received through other means other than actual course instruction will not be counted in percentage.)
Maintain a minimum program GPA of 2.0
Submit a graduation application to the Office of Registrars.

Associate of Science (AS)

To be awarded the Associate of Science degree, students must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete the appropriate course of study for an Associate of Science program as listed in the College Catalog.
TSI college-level ready status
Complete 25% of coursework at Laredo College (Credit received through other means other than actual course instruction will not be counted in percentage.)
Maintain a minimum program GPA of 2.0
Submit a graduation application to the Office of Registrars.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

To be awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree, students must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete the appropriate course of study for an Associate of Applied Science program as listed in the College Catalog.
TSI college-level ready status
Complete 25% of coursework at Laredo College (Credit received through other means other than actual course instruction will not be counted in percentage.)
Maintain a minimum program GPA of 2.0 (Some Programs may require a higher minimum GPA)
Submit a graduation application to the Office of Registrars.

Certificate and Occupational Skills Award (CERT) (OSA)

To be awarded the certificate/award, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete the prescribed semester credit hours of coursework
TSI college-level ready status (if applicable)
Complete 25% of coursework at Laredo College (Credit received through other means other than actual course instruction will not be counted in percentage.)
Maintain a minimum program GPA of 2.0
Submit a graduation application to the Office of Registrars

The Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science curriculum suggested in this Catalog satisfies the requirements of most senior institutions. However, it is the student’s responsibility to identify, as early as possible, the institution to which they will transfer. The student should then ascertain the specific requirements of that institution for the freshman and sophomore years. Each student’s curriculum should be planned by the student and an advisor with a specific institution in mind. If Laredo College does not have an articulation agreement with a specific four-year institution, the student should request an agreement in writing from that institution regarding the acceptance of Laredo College's coursework.

Note: No more than twelve semester credit hours earned by correspondence, extension, CLEP, Advanced Placement, Department, or Challenge exams, may be accepted for credit toward any degree or certificate at Laredo College.

Application Process

Students anticipating the completion of a program from Laredo College must apply for graduation to receive their degree/certificate. Students must have a degree audit processed by the Office of the Registrar staff during the student's last semester. During the degree audit process or the final semester of study, the student should apply timely according to the deadlines of the awarding period. Degrees and certificates are awarded three (3) times throughout the academic year. Students can visit the Office of the Registrar’s website for application deadlines.

Commencement

Commencement exercises are held in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. All students are encouraged to attend the commencement ceremony to celebrate the completion of their academic career. Students who want to participate in the Commencement exercises must participate in the ceremony for the semester in which they are expected to graduate. Students must notify the Office of the Registrar of their intent to participate in the ceremony.

Institutional Honors

Only those candidates who have applied for Bachelor’s and Associate’s Degrees are eligible to graduate with Institutional Honors. Graduates will be granted institutional honors respective to their cumulative GPA excluding non-developmental courses. The criterion is as follows:

Cum Laude: GPA of at least 3.2 but less than 3.5

Magna Cum Laude: GPA of at least 3.5 but less than 3.8

Summa Cum Laude: GPA of at least 3.8

Institutional Honors

Only those candidates who have applied for an Associate Degree are eligible to graduate with Institutional Honors. Graduates will be granted institutional honors respective to their cumulative GPA excluding non-developmental courses. The criterion is as follows: