Graduation Requirements

Application for Graduation (Degree Candidacy)

Students need to submit an Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar.  The submission deadline for May commencement is the previous August 31st. The submission deadline for August or December completion is the previous January 31st.  The application is available on MyPBA, under the Students tab, on the Commencement page. Applicants who apply for graduation and fail to meet requirements by the specified projected graduation date will be deferred to a later semester. Students will receive a deferral email following the entry of final grades and a review of all requirements.

To locate the online application:

1. Go to: https://my.pba.edu/ICS/Students/Commencement.jnz
2. Log into myPBA.
3. The “Application for Graduation” is highlighted. Click the link, in the window, to get started.

Commencement Participation

Commencement will be held once a year at the conclusion of the spring semester. All students completing their degree requirements in any given academic year  will be eligible to participate in the annual spring Commencement ceremonies for that academic year  (fall, spring, summer). Students whose degrees are conferred at the conclusion of the fall semester will be eligible to participate in the following spring Commencement ceremony. Students who are projected to finish all degree requirements in the summer semester will be eligible to participate in the prior spring Commencement.

In order to participate in commencement a student must have cleared all account holds prior to the commencement ceremony.

Commencement ceremonies for Palm Beach Atlantic University are typically held on the weekend immediately following final examinations of the spring semester. There may be multiple ceremonies divided by schools, usually on the same day. It is expected that all candidates for graduation will participate in Commencement ceremonies.

No diploma or transcript will be released if there are any holds on the student’s record. All Business Office and Financial Aid obligations must be cleared as well.

Graduation Requirements – Master’s Level

It is the student’s responsibility to see that all graduation requirements are met. The general requirements are outlined below. See individual degree/program information for specific requirements. 

1. Completion of an approved program of study outlined below.
2. Completion of all undergraduate prerequisites as applicable to the program of study.
3. Maintenance of an appropriate cumulative grade point average on all courses in the approved program of study.
4. Submission of an online Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar no later than August 31st for May degree completion or January 31st for August or December degree completion.
5. Completion of all degree requirements within a period of six years from the date of initial enrollment in the program.
6. Approval by the faculty for graduation.
7. Discharge of all financial obligations to the university.
8. Applicants who apply for graduation and fail to meet the above requirements by the specified projected graduation date will be deferred to a later semester.

Master of Accountancy

Master of Business Administration

1. Completion of the prescribed curriculum of 36 credit hours.
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Master of Divinity

1. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade of “C-” on all coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
2. Completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours in residence. Credit hours are considered “in residence” when at least 1/3 of the class (12 hours per 3 credit hour course) is delivered with the faculty and student physically present on the main campus.
3. Students must complete all degree requirements within 10 years from matriculation into the degree program.

Master of Arts, Christian Studies

1. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade of “C-” on all coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
2. Completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours in residence. Credit hours are considered “in residence” when at least 1/3 of the class (12 hours per 3 credit hour course) is delivered with the faculty and student physically present on the main campus.
3. Students must complete all degree requirements within 6 years from matriculation into the degree program.

Master of Arts, Intercultural Studies

1. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade of “C-” on all coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
2. Students must complete all degree requirements within 6 years from matriculation into the degree program.

Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion

1. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade of “C-” on all coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
2. Completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours in residence.
3. Students must complete all degree requirements within 6 years from matriculation into the degree program.

MACS + Master of Science, International Development

1. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade of “C-” on all coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all MACS coursework.
2. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade of “C” on all coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all International Development coursework
3. Completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours in residence. Credit hours are considered “in residence” when at least 1/3 of the class (12 hours per 3 credit hour course) is delivered with the faculty and student physically present on the main campus.
4. Students must complete all degree requirements within 6 years from matriculation into the degree program.

Regardless of academic achievement, a student on disciplinary probation may not graduate from PBA until the probation has been removed.

Master of Divinity/Master of Business Administration

1. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade of “C-” on all M.Div. coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
2. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade of “C” on all MBA coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
3. Completion of a minimum of 55 credit hours in residence. Credit hours are considered “in residence” when at least 1/3 of the class (12 hours per 3 credit hour course) is delivered with the faculty and student physically present on the main campus.
4. Students must complete all degree requirements within 10 years from matriculation into the degree program.

M.DIV. + Master of Science, Mental Health Counseling

1. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade of “C-” on all M.Div. coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
2. Completion of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade of “B” on all counseling coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
3. Completion of a minimum of 48 M.Div. credit hours in residence. Credit hours are considered “in residence” when at least 1/3 of the class (12 hours per 3 credit hour course) is delivered with the faculty and student physically present on the main campus.
4. Students must complete all M.Div. degree requirements within 10 years from matriculation into the degree program.
5. Students must complete all counseling degree requirements within 6 years from matriculation into the degree program.

Master of Science in Clinical Mental HealthCounseling/Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling/School Counseling/General Counseling (Non licensure)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling major: Successful completion of the prescribed curriculum of 60 credit hours with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a grade of “B” or higher in COU 5133 - Counseling Skills and Characteristics, COU 5123 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards, and COU 5263 – Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling, as well as practicum and internship courses; 1,000 hours of supervised practicum and internship under a supervisor approved by the program faculty; and an exit exam.

Marriage, Couple, and Family major: Successful completion of the prescribed curriculum of 60 credit hours with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a grade of “B” or higher in COU 5133 - Counseling Skills and Characteristics, COU 5123 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards, and COU 5263 – Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling, as well as practicum and internship courses; 700 hours of supervised practicum and internship under a supervisor approved by the program faculty; and an exit exam.

School Counseling major: Successful completion of the prescribed curriculum of 60 credit hours with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a grade of “B” or higher in COU 5133 - Counseling Skills and Characteristics, COU 5123 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards, and COU 5322 - Psychosocial Issues of Childhood and Adolescence, as well as practicum and internship courses; 700 hours of supervised practicum and internship under a supervisor approved by the program faculty; and an exit exam.

General Counseling Studies major: Successful completion of the prescribed curriculum of 36 credit hours with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a grade of “B” or higher in COU 5133 - Counseling Skills and Characteristics and COU 5123 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards.

In addition to the graduation requirements specific to each major, student performance is assessed throughout the program in key performance indicators, overall progress, and professional dispositions, as outlined in the Counselor Education Handbook.

Master of Science in Ethics and Organizational Behavior

1. Minimum completion of 30 credit hours of program-approved courses.
2. Be in good standing with the academic program.
3. Maintenance of a 3.0 cumulative GPA is required.
4. Only one course below a grade of B- can be repeated.
5. Completion of the required Capstone Project and all requirements associated with the Capstone Project.
6. Submission of online application for graduation from the Program.
7. Approval for graduation from the Program Director.

Master of Science in Nursing

1. Successful completion of approved curriculum.
2. Maintenance of a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA and at least a grade of “B” in all graduate classes in the School of Nursing.
3. Successful completion of a minimum of 360 clinical hours in graduate nursing.
4. Discharge of all financial and library obligations to the university.
5. Submission of an online Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar no later than the census date one semester prior to all degree requirements being completed.
6. Applicants who apply for graduation and fail to meet the above requirements by the specified projected graduation date will be deferred to a later semester.

Master of Science in Health Science

1. Minimum completion of 30 credit hours of program approved courses.
2. Be in good-standing with the academic program.
3. Maintain a minimum grade of B on all coursework (any coursework below a B grade must be repeated).
4. Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all course work in the MS in Health Science program.
5. Completion of the required Capstone Project and all requirements associated with the Capstone Project.
6. Submission of online application for graduation from the MS in Health Science program.
7. Approval for graduation from the MS in Health Science Program Director.
8. Discharge of all financial obligations to the university.

Graduation Requirements - Doctor’s Level

Doctor of Nursing Practice

To receive the DNP degree from Palm Beach Atlantic, a student must meet the following requirements:

1. Successful completion all graduate nursing coursework at PBA.
2. Maintenance of a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA and at least a grade of “B” in all graduate classes in the School of Nursing.
3. Successful completion of a minimum of 1000 clinical hours in graduate nursing.
4. Successful completion of the scholarly project and capstone course.
5. Approval of DNP Scholarly Project Advisory Committee.
6. Discharge of all financial and library obligations to the university.
7. Submission of an online Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar no later than the end of the add/drop period one semester prior to all degree requirements being completed.
8. Applicants who apply for graduation and fail to meet the above requirements by the specified projected graduation date will be deferred to a later semester.

Doctor of Pharmacy

To receive the Pharm.D. degree from Palm Beach Atlantic, a student must meet the following requirements:

1. Successfully complete all prerequisite coursework for admission.
2. Successfully complete all pharmacy coursework at PBA.
3. Successfully complete the didactic portion of the curriculum within 5 years.
4. Maintenance of a 2.00 cumulative GPA and a passing grade in all classes in the School of Pharmacy.
5. Completion of community service and Chapel requirements, as applicable.
6. Completion of all co-curricular and interprofessional education requirements. 
7. Discharge of all financial and library obligations to the university.
8. Submission of an online Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar no later than the end of the add/drop period one semester prior to all degree requirements being completed.
9. Satisfactorily complete all activities of Senior Summit.
10. Submit all longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) requirements.
11. Attend the Hooding Ceremony and Graduation.

Ph.D. in Practical Theology

See Graduation Requirements for the Ph.D. in Practical Theology.