Graduate Dean’s Citation Criteria and Guidelines

Dean's Citation for Excellence

In order to maintain the Dean's Citation for Excellence as a prestigious award, the total number of awards will not exceed three percent of the graduating class. All nominations will be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the Graduate Council with recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate School for final selection.

Criteria

• A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.75 during graduate study.
• Exceptional Achievement: Be aware, many recent nominees for this award have been submitted with only the GPA criteria documented. Without documented accomplishments beyond normal classroom performance, nominees will not be competitive for this award. Superior accomplishment beyond excellence in course work may include publications and/or presentations, thesis/dissertation of exceptional quality, active involvement in regional or national professional organizations, discipline-related community service, etc.

Guidelines

• Eligible students include students who have applied for graduation. Students who are graduating in the summer semester and walking at the spring ceremony may also be nominated.
• Nomination letters from two faculty members OR submit one letter with two or more faculty signatures.
• Submit an electronic copy of the student’s resume.

NOTE: A student may be nominated for both the Dean’s Citation for Excellence AND for Outstanding Thesis/Dissertation/Doctoral Scholarly Project.

Outstanding Thesis/Dissertation

Four awards — two for outstanding master's thesis (capstones would be reviewed with other theses) and two for outstanding doctoral dissertation may be awarded each commencement. Faculty may nominate a thesis/dissertation/doctoral scholarly project at any time until the specified deadline.

Criteria

• A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.75 during graduate study.
• Submit an electronic copy of the student’s resume.
• Letter of nomination should specify contributions of the study to the discipline.
• An electronic copy of the thesis/dissertation/capstone must be available for review in the Graduate School.

Guidelines

• Eligible students include students who have applied for graduation. Students who are graduating in the summer semester and walking at the spring ceremony may also be nominated for this award.
• Nomination letters from two faculty members OR submit one letter with two or more faculty signatures.