As prescribed by the Charter and Bylaws of the institution, granting a degree from Bethany College is a three step process involving the Registrar, the Faculty, and the Board of Trustees. The Registrar conducts a graduation audit on the date final grades are due at three points in the academic calendar: 1) at the end of Fall Term; 2) at the end of Spring Term; and 3) at the end of Summer Term. Only the names of those students who have completed all the requirements for the degree by one of the dates noted above will be submitted to the Faculty at its next regularly scheduled meeting, at which time the Faculty nominates the members of the list for a degree. The President then presents the list to the Board of Trustees which then confers the degree.
Commencement exercises are held once each year, in May, at which time all degree recipients for that academic year receive diplomas. Students must resolve financial obligations to the College prior to their nomination for the degree, and transcripts will be withheld until the financial obligation is satisfied. Students who have not completed all degree requirements by the time final grades are due will not be permitted to participate in graduation activities that include but are not limited to the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies, including ‘walking’ with the class at these activities.
The only exceptions will be in the case of students who need to fulfill the 120-credits minimum and are short by three credits, and who have presented acceptable evidence that they are enrolled in an approved Summer Term course at an accredited institution in the summer immediately subsequent to the term of the graduation ceremonies in question. ‘Acceptable evidence’ and ‘approved Summer Term course’ will be determined by the Registrar.