Graduation

2009 GRADUATION - SAVE THE DATE!
 

May 9, 2009, 3 p.m.
Bernice Hansen Athletic Center
Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Campus

Tickets are not required.

For more information visit: Commencement. 

Graduation Requirements:

Participation in Commencement
Graduation Dates and Diplomas

Associate of Science Requirements

Students must complete at least 60-62 semester hours (varies by program). If the total number of credits from specific program coursework, Prior Learning/PST credit, and transfer credit does not meet the required semester hours, additional work must be completed. This is accomplished by 1) taking courses from Cornerstone University; or 2) taking courses from other accredited colleges or universities; or 3) testing: CLEP (College Level Examination Program) or DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support).

A student must complete general education requirements in the following academic areas. All requirements for graduation are met in the Associate of Science in Business Studies (Steps I and II) program and the Associate of Science in Education (Steps I and II) program.

English: ENG-118 or a college writing course including instruction in and production of a research paper

Speech: COM-111 or a communication course that includes oral speech opportunities

Fine Arts: FAR-211 or a course in art or music appreciation 

Humanities: one course from each of the following categories: a) History; b) Literature; c) Philosophy; d)Theology or REL-102; e) Old Testament survey or REL-231; f) New Testament survey or REL-232

Math/Computer Science: MAT-110 or higher

Lab Science: SCI-119 or one lab course (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) 

Social Science: two courses chosen from the following disciplines: a)Sociology; b) Psychology; c)  Economics; d) Political Science; e)Geography

KIN-00 Foundations of Wellness

IDS-100 Foundations of Inquiry/or Electives 
(Students with less than 20 transferable credits must take IDS-100)

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.00 (C) or higher.
  • Credit from remedial or non-college level courses will not count toward graduation credit.
  • A grade of C- or better in ENG 118 and COM 111.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees.
  • Residency requirements: Students must complete at least 24 semester hours at Cornerstone University, including residency for at least 12 semester hours of the major. Prior Learning Assessment credit (i.e., Professional Schools & Training or Life Learning Essay) and credit by exam (iCLEP, DANTES) do not apply to in-residence credit.
  • Graduation application to the Registrar’s office filed no later than November 1 for December graduates and no later than February 1 for May/August graduates.
  • Students with 20 or more semester hours who complete Step II of an associate program will meet graduation requirements for the associate degree by also completing the remaining subject concentration courses in Step I and by fulfilling all general education requirements.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Students must complete divisional requirements in each academic area. Courses that count toward divisional requirements must be at least two semester hours and the total general education core must not be less than 30 semester hours. Divisional requirements (general education credits) can be earned through college coursework, credit by exam or awarded through prior learning assessment.

Divisional Requirements:
*English - a college writing course including instruction in and production of a research paper

*Speech – a communication course that includes oral speech opportunities

Fine Arts - one course in art or music appreciation

Humanities - three courses chosen from at least two of the following categories: a) History; b) Literature c) Modern Foreign Language (one year of college or above); d) Philosophy/Religion

Math/Computer Science - one course (equivalent of MAT-110 or higher)
 


Lab Science - one course (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Social Science - two courses from the following disciplines: a) Sociology; b) Psychology; c) Economics; d) Political Science e) Geography

* These courses are included in the Bachelor programs.

  • Completion of a degree completion program, including a minimum 24 semester-hour major and 15 semester-hour minor.
  • Completion of 120 semester hours. If the total number of credits from the Prior Learning Assessment (PST & LLE), specific program coursework, and transfer credit does not total 120 semester hours, additional work must be completed. This is accomplished by: 1) taking courses from Cornerstone University; or 2) taking courses from other accredited colleges or universities; or 3) obtaining credit through credit by exam (CLEP, DANTES). 
  • A  maximum of 30 credits through Prior Learning Assessment (i.e., PST & LLE) may be awarded.
  • A maximum of 30 credits can be awarded through credit by exam (CLEP, DANTES).
  • Credit from remedial or non-college level courses will not count toward graduation credit.
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.00 (C) or higher overall and a 2.5 GPA or higher in the major.
  • A grade of C- or better in ENG-119 and COM-211.
  • Students completing the Management Major with a Ministry Leadership Specialization must complete 6 semester hours of Bible/religion courses in the following areas outside their program: 

New Testament Survey course - 3 credits
Old Testament Survey course - 3 credits

  • Payment of all tuition and fees.
  • Residency Requirements: Students must complete at least 32 semester hours at Cornerstone University, including residency for at least 12 hours of the major. Prior Learning Assessment (PST and LLE) and credit by exam (CLEP, DANTES) credit do not apply to in-residence credit.
  • Graduation application to the Registrar’s office filed no later than November 1 for December graduates and no later than February 1 for May/August graduates.
  • All prior learning assessment petitions (Life Learning Essays and/or PST Documentation) for credit must be submitted 30 days prior to any of the three graduation dates in order to allow time for evaluation.

Master Program Requirements

  • Completion of the master’s program curriculum with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
  • Any course with a grade less than a C- will not count toward graduation and must be repeated.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees.
  • Completion of all degree requirements within five years of beginning the program.
  • Graduation application to the Registrar’s office filed no later than November 1 for December graduates and no later than February 1 for May/August graduates.
  • Residency Requirements: A minimum of 24 semester hours necessary for graduation must be completed at Cornerstone.

Participation in Commencement

To be eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony, a student must have six (6) semester hours or less of the graduation requirements for their degree to complete by the Thursday before the ceremony. Those who have six or less credits to finish must have a written plan on file in the Registrar's office by March 15 of the same year documenting how those credits will be completed by August 15 of the same year.

Graduation Dates and Diplomas

  • There are three (3) graduation dates during the year: May, August, and December. Transcripts and diplomas will specify one of these dates. Students who complete all degree requirements by the last day of classes in the spring session (traditional program calendar) will receive a May date on their diploma; students who complete their degree requirements before the August graduation date (whcih changes annually) will receive an August graduation date; students who complete their degree requirements after the August graduation date but before the December date (which changes annually) will receive a December graduation date.
     
  • Students taking credit at an institution other than Cornerstone University for completion of Cornerstone University’s degree requirements must have their final, official transcript from that institution on file in the Registrar’s office by the following August 15 to maintain a May graduation date; by the following November 15 to maintain an August graduation date; and by the following March 15 to maintain a December graduation date. Receipt of the transcript after that date will necessitate moving the graduation date to the next regularly occurring graduation date.
     
  • Students must submit a graduation/diploma application and order form to the Registrar's office by November 1 for December graduates or February 1 for May or August graduates.
     
  • All financial obligations must be met. No diploma will be released if any balance remains on the student's account.  
     
  • Students who find they will not complete their requirements by the anticipated date may call or write the Registrar’s office at Cornerstone University to request a change in their graduation date.