ACADEMIC LOAD
SECTION 62. ACADEMIC AWARDS. A student who completes his/her program in the graduate and undergraduate levels with the following averages, computed on the basis of units, shall graduate with honors:
Academic Awards Average Lowest Grade
Summa Cum Laude 1.00 to 1.20 1.50
Magna Cum Laude 1.21 to 1.45 1.75
Cum Laude 1.46 to 1.75 2
The candidate for honors in the undergraduate level should not have any grade lower than 2.0, any dropped course and an unremoved “Incomplete” or “Inc” in any academic course, whether prescribed or not in his/her curriculum, taken in BPSU or in any other educational institution, prior to his/her coming to BPSU.
In the graduate level, the candidate for honors should not have any grade lower than 1.75, any dropped course and an unremoved “Incomplete” or “Inc” in any academic course, whether prescribed or not in his/her curriculum, taken in BPSU or in any other educational institution, prior to his/her coming to BPSU.
A Graduate School student is expected to finish a master’s and doctorate degree within four (4) years. No honors will be given if the candidate (a) finished the degree beyond its residency limit; and (b) incurred incomplete mark that was not completed within the specified period or failing grade in any course or research requirements.
Candidates may be given academic honors based on the following ranges of Grade Point Average (GPA) provided they obtained marks of High Pass in Written Comprehensive Examination (WCE) and in the final thesis/dissertation oral examination:
Students who have completed their graduate program with the following averages shall be awarded academic honors.
Graduate Level
Distinction Average Lowest Grade
With Highest Distinction 1.00 to 1.05 1.50
With High Distinction 1.06 to 1.10 1.50
With Distinction 1.11 to 1.15 1.50
Subject to the recommendation of the Dean and approval of the Graduate School Academic Council, special awards may be given to students who demonstrated excellence in leadership and exemplary performance in extension and co-curricular activities that significantly enriched students’ life in the Graduate School.
The Graduate School Local Academic Council shall screen and recommend to the University Academic Council the candidates for such Awards.
For non-degree programs, a student who completes his/her course with the following averages, computed on the basis of units shall graduate with honor.
Distinction Non-Degree Courses
Average Lowest Grade
With Highest Distinction 1.00 to 1.20 1.50
With High Distinction 1.21 to 1.45 1.75
With Distinction 1.46 to 1.75 2.00
The candidate for honors in the undergraduate level should have passed/completed NSTP.
The candidates are required to face a panel of interviewers designated by the concerned College Dean for an oral discussion of contemporary and scholarly issues. A candidate whose GPA is within the limits set, but fails the interview will be granted academic commendation, but not an academic honor.
SECTION 63. SPECIAL AWARDS. Aside from academic awards, senior students shall be recognized for their non-academic achievements in various fields of literary, culture, arts, skills and leadership during graduation day. List of special awardees shall be endorsed by the concerned offices, to the University Academic Council and shall be approved by the Board of Regents.
SECTION 64. HONORIS CAUSA. The University through the Academic Council and upon approval of the Board of Regents may confer a doctoral degree honoriscausa to any person with distinguished achievement in national or international level.
Other honorary titles may be conferred by the University upon approval of the Board of Regents on individuals who manifested exemplary support and contribution to the University and the country.
SECTION 65. REVOCATION OF DEGREES CONFERRED. Revocation of degrees must be done after thorough investigation and due process facilitated by the Academic Council members and upon the recommendation of the latter to the Board of Regents.
SECTION 66. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. Requirements for graduation will be based on the course of study, however, all students are required to have taken and passed all the subjects prescribed for their program including NSTP 1 and 2. Moreover, On the Job Training (OJT)/ Related Learning Experience (RLE), Field Study courses and Practice Teaching and other forms of Practicum subjects must be fulfilled or complied including payment of appropriate fees.
SECTION 67. COMMENCEMENT AND BACCALAUREATE EXERCISES. BPSU shall hold a formal commencement and baccalaureate graduation program twice a year only which shall be immediately after the end of the first and second semester of every academic year.
Students who officially finish their respective programs in the second semester, or during midyear classes, may join the commencement exercise in the ensuing year, upon payment of the graduation fee.
A committee shall be in charge of activities for commencement.
All graduating students shall attend the commencement exercises as scheduled. Candidates for graduation shall be required to wear academic costumes during the commencement exercises in accordance with the rules and regulations of BPSU
SECTION 68. SIGNATORIES OF DIPLOMA. Signatories of diploma shall include the President and the University Registrar.
SECTION 69. DATE OF GRADUATION. A student who has completed all the requirements of the curriculum, but did not apply for the corresponding degree or title, shall have his/her graduation approved as of the date he/she should have originally graduated.
SECTION 70. GRADUATION FEES. No student shall graduate unless he/she pays the required graduation fee. The university through its Academic Council members shall meet to deliberate and fix the amount of the graduation fee. After which, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, will write a letter of request to the Vice President for Administration and Finance informing the latter about the fees to be collected for the purpose.
The VP for Administration and Finance will then issue a memorandum to university/campus cashiers to collect the graduation fees specified in the request letter of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
SECTION 71. NUMBER OF ALLOWABLE ABSENCES. Number of Allowable Absences. A student is allowed a maximum unexcused absences which is equivalent to 20% only of the entire number of class and laboratory hours for the particular course within a semester.
Absences incurred beyond the allowed number of hours will automatically mean a grade of 5.0 or
“Failed” for the student in the concerned subject
SECTION 72. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. A student who wishes to defer enrolment for a particular semester or academic year may do so provided that he/she applies for a leave of absence from the University.
The request will have to be formally submitted to the Office of the Registrar and endorsed by the Program Coordinator and College Dean of the student. Before approval of the leave of absence, the student is also required to report to the Office of Counselling and Guidance to undergo the necessary interview regarding the application for a leave of absence. It is advised that a student who goes on leave for a particular semester return to the University during the semester that he/
she goes on leave in order for him/her to maintain his/her regular status as a student.
A student is also allowed to go on leave only for one (1) year. Approval for requests of extension of the leave of absence is made on a case-to-case basis.
A student who has not returned after five (5) years of absence from the University will be accepted for enrolment provided that he/she will enroll as a first year student.