Graduation Guarantees

The four‐year guarantee for undergraduate graduation is the University of Nebraska’s promise, to those students who so desire, to do our part to support your academic journey and completion of an undergraduate degree within four years. While every student’s path is different, degree plans support students who are planning to complete their degree in four years, as well as support students who prefer their own flexible schedule.

For those students looking to complete a degree within four years, it is, of course, critical to have appropriate high school preparation, pursue a course of study that is intended for four‐year completion and follow these prudent practices:

• Select a major early (by your third semester) in college and stay with that major.
• Fulfill the bachelor’s degree requirements* and general studies requirements as outlined in the academic catalog.
• Follow the four‐year course of study plan published by your major and pass all required courses on the first attempt (no deficient grades as defined by your major).
• Meet with your advisor every semester and respond promptly to all communications from academic advisors, the registrar, and Advising and Career Services staff.
• Sign up for classes during each semester’s priority period.
• Register for and complete at least 15 credit hours per semester for eight semesters with acceptable grades.
• When a required course is not available, notify the department chair in a timely fashion (one week).
• Not be subject to any disciplinary action per the Student Code of Conduct during your time as a student that restricts your academic progress.
• Apply for graduation by the deadline.

In turn, the university guarantees the student will be able to enroll in courses that permit graduation in four years. If that is not possible, the university will provide alternatives or substitutions. If a student fulfills the requirements detailed above and isn’t able to graduate in four years, the University of Nebraska will cover 100% of tuition for any additional course(s) needed to graduate. Of course, not all students are in a position or desire to graduate in four years. Some may need or prefer to engage in experiential or service‐learning opportunities, represent their school on a collegiate team, or work more hours and attend school part‐time, or they may be enrolled in a program that requires more than four years. Others may choose a different pace or the opportunity to take a wider range of courses that are not directly related to their field of study. Additionally, those students seeking dual degrees or multiple majors may need more time to complete their work. This program is designed for those who want to complete their degree program as quickly as possible.

The Four‐Year Graduation Guarantee was approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in 2002. The program recognizes the importance of Nebraska undergraduate students being able to earn their bachelor’s or first‐professional degrees in a timely fashion.

* Unless specified by an accreditor and approved by the Provost, the Board of Regents requires that University of Nebraska undergraduate programs be completed in 120 credit hours.

The Undergraduate Transfer Student Graduation Guarantee is the University of Nebraska’s promise to do our part to support the academic journey of transfer students and facilitate completion of their degrees in a timely fashion. This program is designed for those who want to complete their degree program as quickly as possible and are committed to successfully completing their approved course of study as initially developed with their University of Nebraska (NU) academic advisor.

The length of time enrolled at NU will vary depending on the number of credits transferred, the number of degree requirements fulfilled through transfer credits, and a student’s semester course‐load. Every transfer student’s path is different. Of course, students may ultimately need or just choose a different pace to take a wider range of courses that are not directly related to their field of study, engage in experiential or service‐learning opportunities, represent their school on a collegiate team, or attend school part‐time. Additionally, those seeking dual degrees, multiple majors, or certain academic concentrations may need more time to complete their work.

For students looking to complete a degree in as little time as possible, it is critical to have appropriate high school preparation, pursue a course of study that is intended for four‐year completion, and follow these prudent practices:

• Students should select a major early in college and stay with that major. Courses taken as part of Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees generally transfer better than courses taken as part of Associate of Applied Science degrees.
• Students should contact an academic advisor or admissions representative well before enrollment on one of the University of Nebraska campuses so that they can learn more about coursework requirements and review a plan of study for their anticipated major. Resources such as Transfer.Nebraska.edu and Transferology.com should be used to obtain information about the transfer of credits from previous institution(s), and the applicability of those credits to an intended NU major.

The University of Nebraska’s goal is that transfer students who follow prudent practices will be able to graduate in four years of post‐secondary work, but not longer than the timeline agreed upon with their academic advisor during the first semester of enrollment at the University of Nebraska.

The University of Nebraska guarantees that transfer students will be able to enroll in courses that permit graduation consistent with the agreed upon academic plan of study. If that is not possible, NU will work with the student to offer approved alternatives or substitutions that will fit into the agreed upon course of study time frame. To be eligible for the guarantee, transfer students shall:

• Schedule a meeting and meet with their academic advisor, no later than during their second month at NU, to develop and finalize a specific plan of study to complete degree requirements for their declared major. Ideally, transfer students will take 15 credit hours or more each semester with acceptable grades after transferring to the University of Nebraska.
• Sign up for classes during each semester’s priority registration period.
• Pass all courses listed on their program of study on the first attempt (no deficient grades as defined by the college and major).
• Meet with their advisor every semester and respond promptly to all communications from academic advisors, faculty advisors, the registrar, and Advising and Career Services staff.
• Notify their academic advisor and their college Dean’s Office, during the applicable semester’s priority registration period, when program‐of‐study planned coursework is not available for enrollment.
• Not be subject to any disciplinary action per the Student Code of Conduct that restricts academic progress.
• Apply for University of Nebraska graduation by the campus specific deadline.

If a student fulfills the requirements detailed above and is not able to graduate according to the agreed upon program of study time frame, the University of Nebraska will cover 100% of tuition for any additional course(s) needed to graduate.

The Undergraduate Returning/Re‐admitted Student Degree Completion Guarantee is the University of Nebraska’s promise to do our part to support the academic journey of undergraduate students who have paused their attendance from a University of Nebraska campus and to facilitate completion of their degree. This program is designed for those who want to complete their degree program as quickly as possible and are committed to successfully completing an approved course of study developed with their University of Nebraska (NU) academic advisor.

Students who have paused their attendance from colleges and universities other than the University of Nebraska and wish to complete their degree at the University of Nebraska should refer to our Undergraduate Transfer Student Degree Completion Guarantee policy. Likewise, students who started at one NU campus but wish to complete their degree at another NU campus also should refer to the Transfer Student policy.

The length of time required to earn a NU degree will vary depending on the number of credits successfully completed, the number of degree requirements fulfilled, and a student’s semester course‐load. Every student’s path is different. Of course, students may ultimately need or just choose a different pace to take a wider range of courses that are not directly related to their field of study, engage in experiential or service‐learning opportunities, represent their school on a collegiate team, or attend school part‐time. Additionally, those seeking dual degrees, multiple majors, or certain academic concentrations may need more time to complete their work.

For students looking to complete a degree in as little time as possible, it is important to pursue a course of study that leverages previously completed coursework that meets degree requirements, and to follow these prudent practices:

• Students should contact an academic advisor or admissions representative well before re‐enrollment so that they can learn more about coursework requirements and review a plan of study for their anticipated major. Resources such as Transfer.Nebraska.edu and Transferology.com should be used to obtain information about the transfer of credits from any other institution(s), and the applicability of those credits to an intended NU major.
• Prior to re‐applying, students should select or reconfirm their major and stay with that major through graduation.

The University of Nebraska’s goal is that students returning to higher education who follow prudent practices will be able to graduate in a total of four years of post‐secondary work, but not longer than the timeline agreed upon with their academic advisor during the first semester of reenrollment at the University of Nebraska. The University of Nebraska guarantees that re‐admitted students will be able to enroll in courses that permit graduation consistent with a newly agreed upon academic plan of study. If that is not possible, NU will work with the student to offer approved alternatives or substitutions that will fit into the agreed upon course of study time frame.

To be eligible for the guarantee, re‐admitted students shall:

• Schedule a meeting and meet with their academic advisor, no later than during their second month at NU, to develop and finalize a specific plan of study (including an agreed upon timeframe) to complete degree requirements for their declared major.
• Sign up for classes during each semester’s priority registration period.
• Pass all courses listed on their program of study on the first attempt (no deficient grades as defined by the college and major).
• Meet with their advisor every semester and respond promptly to all communications from academic advisors, faculty advisors, the registrar, and Advising and Career Services staff.
• Notify their academic advisor and their college Dean’s Office, during the applicable semester’s priority registration period, when program‐of‐study planned coursework is not available for enrollment.
• Not be subject to any disciplinary action per the Student Code of Conduct that restricts academic progress.
• Apply for University of Nebraska graduation by the campus specific deadline.

If a student fulfills the requirements detailed above and is not able to graduate according to the agreed upon program of study time frame, the University of Nebraska will cover 100% of tuition for any additional course(s) needed to graduate.