| Date | activity | Location |
| February 19, 2025 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Graduate Fair to order regalia (cap & gown) | Campus Store |
| April 8, 2025 | Deadline to order regalia (cap & gown) |
Herff Jones Webpage |
| Contact DPS | Deadline to request handicapped parking permits | Department of Public Safety |
| April 30, 2025 Noon |
Clear All Financial Obligations | Business Office |
| May 3, 2025 | Commencement 2025 | Gold Dome |
Before Graduation
Diploma Contents
To support the use of diploma for external requirements within the United States and internationally, the diploma displays the legal name of the individual as it appears in our official records, the degree earned (BA, BS, MAT, or MBA), and the date the degree was awarded along with the seal of the College and signatures of presiding academic officers. Centenary College's academic programs and degrees offered align with accreditation standards and require Board of Trustees approval.
Diplomas are published in English on card stock paper with the University seal embossed in a gold foil.
Distinction Between Graduation and Commencement
Graduation is the completion of all graduation requirements and official posting of a student's degree to his/her academic record.
All coursework and all other degree requirements must be completed prior to the degree conferral date for the graduation term. A degree cannot be conferred unless all coursework has received a final grade (NOTE: “I” grades are not final). Students enrolled as a visiting student at another institution during their final semester must complete all course work and the final grade(s) at the visited institution must be submitted by the final grade deadline date for graduation candidates as stated on Centenary College of Louisiana’s academic calendar.
Commencement is the ceremony for participating students who are eligible to graduate. The College confers degrees at the end of the spring only. The commencement ceremony recognizes summer, fall, and spring degree candidates.
Note: Participation in the commencement ceremony DOES NOT constitute official graduation from the College.
Graduation Procedures
It is the responsibility of each student to become familiar with degree requirements, graduation requirements, and all other aspects of satisfactory academic progress. Each student is assigned an academic advisor to assist in planning course schedules and give advice on timely graduation planning. However, the ultimate responsibility for understanding and completing degree requirements lies with the student. Click here to access the graduation application for undergraduate or graduate degrees.
Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Degrees
- Earn no fewer than 124 credit hours. No more than eight hours may be earned in activity courses (1). The last thirty credit hours required for graduation must be taken in residence. At least sixty credit hours must be taken at Centenary.
- Earn at least thirty hours numbered 300 or above.
- Earn at least twenty hours of electives (not used to satisfy Core requirements and that cannot be used to satisfy requirements for a major (including all concentrations within a major), supportive courses, prerequisite courses or courses listed in the major department. These twenty hours may not include cross-listed courses which could count toward the major).
- Meet the basic requirements for the degree to be earned.
- Meet all requirements for a major field of study.
- Maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all work taken at Centenary.
- Maintain a grade point average of 2.0 in all Centenary College courses within the major. If a student takes a course that can contribute to the major, excluding supportive courses, then the grade for that course is included in the GPA calculation.
- Discharge all financial obligations to the College.
- Meet the requirements of a catalogue published in one year of attendance and within five years of the proposed graduation date.
- Submit to the Registrar an approved degree plan and an application for graduation candidacy by the deadlines printed in the catalogue under “Graduation Candidacy.”
- Be approved for graduation candidacy by the Centenary faculty and Board of Trustees.
- Be present at the Commencement exercises to receive the degree conferred, unless an exception is approved by the Provost’s office.
Additional Graduation Requirements
Liberal Arts Explorations
- Humanities - 3 courses (12 hours)
- Natural Sciences - 2 courses that include one laboratory course (8 hours)
- Social Sciences - 2 courses (6-8 hours)
- Symbolic Reasoning - 1 course (3-4 hours)
TREK
- Credo
- Challenge (pre 2021-2022 Catalogue)
- Community
- Career
- Culture
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- proficiency in a language other than English equivalent to the first year
Bachelor of Science (BS)
- proficiency in mathematics equivalent to a course in calculus and a second course in calculus or one course in statistics
Double or Multiple Majors
Students who satisfy all requirements of more than one major in a single degree may have all majors entered upon their transcripts. Students who meet all requirements stated in the Section, “Second Degree,” may receive two diplomas simultaneously for work earned in two or more major fields of study. Students who are double majoring in B.A. and B.S. majors simultaneously must fulfill the requirements for both B.A. and B.S. degrees.
Second Degree
To qualify for a second baccalaureate degree, graduates of Centenary must present a minimum of thirty additional credit hours. Students with a baccalaureate degree from another institution must meet all core requirements, either by acceptable credits transferred from the first degree or by work at Centenary, and successfully complete a minimum of sixty hours in residence. Students must meet the degree requirements listed under the Degree Requirements section, and meet all requirements of the catalogue of the year they enrolled for the second degree and complete them within five years. No student is eligible for more than two undergraduate degrees at Centenary. Students who satisfy all of the requirements for a second degree may have both degrees conferred in a single ceremony and will receive two diplomas. Students may lose eligibility for undergraduate financial aid once they earn a baccalaureate degree. They should check with the Financial Aid Office before determining whether to earn two baccalaureate degrees simultaneously.
The total number of “Pass-Fail” hours under both first and second degrees may not exceed sixteen credit hours. (See exceptions under “Pass/Fail Courses.”) Students wishing to apply to a second major who have already taken a Pass-Fail course under the first degree should consult the chairperson of their major department.
Distinction Between a Double Major and a Dual Degree
Double Major
Students earn one degree with two majors. They receive one diploma.
Main Points
- Students must earn a minimum of 124 hours.
- Students must meet all degree requirements for each major.
- Students can complete a double major in any two degree programs (ex. two BA degrees, two BS degrees, or a BA and BS).
Dual Degree
Students earn two distinct degrees. They receive two diplomas.
Main Points
- Students must earn a minimum of 154 hours.
- Students must meet all degree requirements for each major program. This includes having a concentration if the major requires a concentration.
- Students must meet the specific requirements for each degree, to include the different proficiency requirements (one year of foreign language for a BA and Calculus I and Calculus II or a Statistics course for a BS).
Institutional Honors
Students who achieve certain academic distinction through earned grade point averages will graduate with honors. The cumulative grade point average determines the level of distinction. The following standards apply:
- 3.90 and above (summa cum laude)
- 3.70 - 3.89 (magna cum laude)
- 3.5 - 3.69 (cum laude)
NOTE: To be eligible for such recognition a student must have at least 60 graded hours (hours used for the calculation of ones GPA) taken at Centenary. The overall average of all work attempted at Centenary will be used to determine eligibility for honors as well as the level of honor earned.
Dean’s List
Each semester, students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or better in twelve or more credit hours taken at Centenary for a letter grade are accorded the academic honor of being on the “Dean’s List.”
Departmental Honors
Students pursuing departmental honors must collaborate with a faculty supervisor. The student and the supervisor will select one or more other faculty members who will join with the supervisor in a committee to oversee the student’s project. One committee member must be from outside the student’s major field of study. When the committee is formed, the Nomination for Departmental Honors form must be filed in duplicate with the Registrar’s Office. Upon completion of the project, all committee members must again sign the application form reporting the results.
Interested students should consult the chairperson of their major department or the department in which major field of study is located for specific information. Please reference the Catalogue for more information.
Honor Societies
Alpha Chi - (the highest academic recognition) National scholastic honor society for juniors and seniors ranked in the top ten percent of their class.
Omicron Delta Kappa
National honorary fraternity for men and women, recognizes leadership, scholarship, and service in various fields of activity. Outstanding students are elected to this fraternity from the junior and senior classes by members of the circle.
Maroon Jackets
Another of the high honors that can be bestowed upon a Centenary student. The Maroon Jackets are selected from among students who will be entering their final year, who have excelled scholastically (3.0 average required) and have shown outstanding leadership and service to the College.
A number of honorary fraternities and service organizations which recognize scholarship in a particular field have chapters on the Centenary campus. Students interested in these organizations should consult with the chair of their major department about the requirements for election.
Resident Credit Requirements
At least sixty credit hours must be taken at Centenary. The last thirty credit hours required for graduation must be taken in residence.
Graduation Requirements - Graduate Students
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING
To receive a graduate degree from Centenary College, a candidate must have:
- Completed all required coursework as stated in this catalog.
- Achieved a grade point average of at least 3.0 on all work pursued for graduate credit.
- Received no more than one “C” in all work pursued for graduate credit.
- Received no grade lower than a “C” on any course pursued for graduate credit.
- Passed all required PRAXIS tests for the area of certification pursued.
- Successfully completed all Residency requirements.
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Students must satisfy the following in order to graduate:
- Completion of all required course work.
- Submission of approved entrepreneurial project.
- Minimum of 3.0 grade point average.
- No outstanding College bills.
All graduate students are responsible for obtaining the academic gown, cap, and hood to be worn to Commencement.
Alternate Commencement Participation Option
Students who are within 8 hours or less of the total credits required for graduation following the spring semester may request permission to participate in the Commencement Ceremony if they meet the specified criteria.
Students who complete and submit the Degree Completion Plan must have an approved graduation application and degree plan on file in the Registrar’s Office.
A new graduation application is required if degree requirements are not met during the timeframe noted on the Degree Completion Plan.
Name Pronunciation at Commencement
Getting your name right is important to us. Although the pronunciation of many names is obvious, some require special attention.
Centenary College of Louisiana has partnered with StageClip to ensure correct name pronunciation at the commencement ceremony.
With the NameCheck tool, each graduate will be able to hear their name pronounced and provide approval or feedback.
Grads can also upload their own recording to make sure everything is just right for the big day.
Here’s How the NameCheck Pronunciation Tool Works
- The College will upload the list of graduate names to the NameCheck tool to generate a pronunciation.
- Graduates will receive a link to listen to the AI generated name pronunciation and make adjustments, if necessary.
- The name reader will have access to listen to the correct pronunciations before the big day.
Financial Aid Exit Information
To verify the loan servicer and to complete the Exit Counseling, please visit https://studentaid.gov and look under ‘Manage Loans,’ then ‘Complete Exit Counseling.’ Note: After logging in and selecting the school that you wish to receive the exit information, you can click on ‘Aid Summary’ to see the type of loans you have received (Subsidized, Unsubsidized), the disbursement amounts and dates, and it will also display the servicer agency information. You should create a log in with your servicer so that you may stay in contact with them.
General Information
- Any student who has not cleared all financial obligations to Centenary College of Louisiana by the Wednesday before the Commencement ceremony (at Noon) will not be permitted to participate in commencement exercises, receive his/her diploma or a copy of his/her transcript until all financial indebtedness has been paid.
- All graduates are strongly encouraged to secure regalia (cap and gown) from the Campus Store.
- The appropriate cap for all degrees is the familiar black “mortarboard.” The tassel should hang to the right of the face. Following conferral of the degree, the tassel is moved to the left. The mortarboard is worn straight on the head with the point of the cap in the center of the forehead. While you are allowed to decorate the mortarboard (cap), please ensure no items are hanging off or protruding from the top of the cap. Failure to comply will result in removal from the processional.
- We recognize that this will be a joyous occasion for you; however, the College requests that you conduct yourselves with the dignity befitting this solemn occasion. Furthermore, adornments not sanctioned by the College added to the caps and gowns (e.g., decoration of the robe) are not allowed. If your attire is deemed inappropriate, you will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. The College wishes to maintain the dignified decorum this occasion deserves.
- Ask your guests to be seated at least 15 minutes before Commencement Exercises are scheduled to begin. Once Commencement Exercises begin, no one will be allowed to enter until the processional is completed. You are free to invite as many of your family and friends as you like. NO admit card or invitation is required for them to attend.
- Graduates are strongly encouraged to park on campus and walk to the Gold Dome. Parking at the Gold Dome may be challenging considering the volume of staff, faculty and guests. Families and guests are urged to arrive in time to be seated 15 minutes before the start of the exercises. Ushers will be available to assist with seating.
- A commercial photographer will photograph each graduate as degrees are presented. Students are encouraged to view the photos posted to the College’s Zenfolio account.
- Parents or guests will not be allowed to block the aisles or approach the stage to take pictures of graduates coming on or off the stage. You and your guests will have ample opportunity to take pictures immediately following the Commencement Ceremony.
- Balloons are prohibited in the Gold Dome.
Graduate Exit Survey
The Graduate Exit Survey is administered annually to prospective candidates for graduation enrolled in all undergraduate programs. The primary purpose of the survey is to obtain information about students’ satisfaction with a range of academic and co-academic experiences during their matriculation and to inquire about their plans for the future.
Each prospective graduate will receive a detailed email about the survey.
Graduate Fair
The Campus Store will host a Graduation Fair on (date to be determined). The event will include regalia fittings and purchasing. Candidates will have an opportunity to order announcements, class rings, and diploma frames.
Graduating Student Resources
Click here to access additional resources for graduation preparation.
Hold Status
In order to participate in the commencement ceremony, students must clear all holds on their accounts. To determine your hold status, follow the steps outlined below:
- Log into BannerWeb using your student email and password.
- Click on Student Self Service
- Click on Profile
- Look at the term above your photo to be sure that the current term is selected. Remember that if you are looking for your registration time for the next term, you need to select that term, not the current term. Click the down arrow next to the term and select the desired term from the dropdown menu.
- In the upper-right corner, below your name, you'll see two items. One is Registration Notices and the other is Holds. If you have any of these, there will be a red square with a number. Click on this square to see what they are.
- Holds shows you the active holds on your account. Depending on the type of hold, you may be prevented from adding or dropping classes, viewing your transcript, seeing your grades, or sending your official transcript. Click on the white down arrow to see when the hold was placed and what it prevents. Please contact the office that issued the hold to find out how to remove the hold.
Senior Week
The week between Preparation Week and Commencement is Senior Week for our graduating class - an opportunity to celebrate the graduates while providing opportunities for the seniors to find closure to their time at Centenary College in a fun and meaningful way. Senior Week programming includes Beast Feast, Brinner, Commencement Preview, Honors Convocation and more! Information on specific events for Senior Week 2025 will be added to this page as the Spring semester progresses. Any questions regarding Senior Week can be sent to rrebollarbecerra@centenary.edu.
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