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Academic Residency Requirements for Degree Program (Policy 28)

Approved By:

Interim President Corey Bradford

Issued:

Revised:

08/01/1983, 04/07/2021, 05/27/2025

Last Reviewed:

Related Policies:

Policy Owner / Contact Person:

Provost's Office

Additional References:

Higher Learning Commission Policy on Assumed Practices

Policy Categories:

Academic Policies

  1. Purpose

    This policy establishes residency requirements for baccalaureate and graduate degrees awarded by Governors State University (GovState). This policy aligns with the Policies of the Higher Learning Commission.

  2. Definitions
    1. Residency is the minimum number of credits that must be taken at GovState for awarding a degree.
  3. The Policy
    1. Scope
      1. The policy establishes a minimum residency for degrees at GovState.
    2. Residency Requirements
      1. Undergraduate degree-seeking students working on their first baccalaureate degree are required to earn a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework taken at GovState prior to the awarding of the degree. 
      2. Second baccalaureate degree-seeking students are required to complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework taken at GovState prior to the awarding of the degree. 
      3. All graduate degree-seeking students are required to earn a minimum of 25% of coursework taken at GovState prior to the awarding of each graduate degree sought.
      4. Individual programs may establish additional residency requirements to align with accreditation, licensure requirements, curriculum, and program needs.
    3. Acknowledgement
      1. Higher Learning Commission Policy on Assumed Practices