Policy for Awarding Posthumous Degrees and Certificates at NJIT

Adopted as of November 07, 2023

A posthumous degree may be conferred by NJIT upon a student who was active in their studies but passed away, according to the conditions outlined below. NJIT awards these degrees to honor the academic achievements of the deceased student. This act serves as an acknowledgment by the University of the loss experienced by the university community, the student's family and friends, and offers a chance for them to celebrate the academic accomplishments of the student. 

The University may posthumously grant undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, as well as certificates of completion. 

1. Degrees to Students who Completed their Course of Study:

a. If a College determines that a deceased (undergraduate or graduate) student has completed sufficient coursework to be awarded a degree, the College would follow the normal procedures for awarding a degree to that student. Graduate students must have completed enough work toward a thesis or dissertation, if required for the degree. 

b. The Commencement Program will note that the degree was awarded posthumously. The diploma will be presented to the immediate family of the deceased student by an appropriate academic officer of the University. 

2. Degrees to Students who were Close to Completing their Course of Study:

a. A deceased undergraduate student who did not complete all requirements for his/her degree at the time of death may be awarded a degree posthumously provided the following conditions are met:

i. The student was in good standing at the time of death. 

ii. The student was within 20 credits of completing all requirements for their degree. 

iii. The faculty of the College associated with the deceased student’s primary major and the College’s Dean recommended the awarding of the degree. 

b. A deceased graduate student who did not complete all requirements for their degree at the time of death may be awarded a degree posthumously provided the following conditions are met:

i. The student was in good standing at the time of death. 

ii. The student was scheduled to complete the program during the last semester during which they were enrolled, or was within 9 credits of completing all requirements for their degree. 

iii. The faculty of the College associated with the deceased student’s primary major and the College’s Dean recommended the awarding of the degree. 

c. The Commencement Program will note that the degree was awarded posthumously. The diploma will be presented to the immediate family of the deceased student by an appropriate academic officer of the University. 

3. Other Students – Certificate of Completion:

a. If the circumstances of a deceased undergraduate student do not meet the conditions for being awarded a degree (numbers 1 and 2 above), but the student had successfully completed one year of coursework (24 credits minimum), the University may grant a certificate of completion posthumously to the student’s immediate family. 

b. If the circumstances of a deceased graduate student do not meet the conditions for being awarded a degree (numbers 1 and 2 above), but the student had successfully completed one year of coursework (18 graduate credits minimum), the University may grant a certificate of completion posthumously to the student’s immediate family. 

4. Extraordinary Circumstances: 

Cases that do not meet the conditions in numbers (1)-(3) may be considered for the conferring of a degree or certificate of completion when extraordinary circumstances prevail. For example, if the student died while carrying out a heroic deed, or while performing outstanding service to the University or community, or after having completed an outstanding academic record, an outstanding piece of original research, or an outstanding creative project. In such cases, the appropriate faculty, Department Chair, Dean, and the Provost will be consulted prior to a recommendation being prepared for consideration by the President and Board of Trustees.