Special consideration may be given to awarding a degree to an undergraduate or graduate/professional student who has a terminal illness, confirmed by a qualified healthcare provider or the University physician, where such illness prevents continued progress towards degree completion. A terminal illness is an illness or condition which cannot be cured and will lead to death and where projected life expectancy prevents the student from completion of the degree. To be considered, students must be active and in good standing with significant progress toward the degree completed (e.g., 80% of the credit hour completion for undergraduate students and similar progress for graduate/professional students is recommended).
Requests for degrees granted under special circumstances may be initiated by the student, student’s family, the faculty of the department/school/college, or an MSU administrator. Requests from the student and/or student’s family should be made to the department/school/college for initial review. The Provost will be notified by the Dean or the Vice Provost for Undergraduate or Graduate Education of the request for a Degree Granted under Special Circumstances. Requests require approval of the respective Dean, the Provost, and the President. If approved, the degree will be noted as “Degree Granted under Special Circumstances” on the transcript.