Graduation requirements are determined by the individual college and major area of
study. Most degrees require a minimum of 124 hours with a minimum USM grade point
average of 2.0. Of the required hours, 50% must be earned at a senior institution,
and 45 hours of the 50% applied to the degree must be upper division (300-400 level)
courses. Students must earn at least 21 of last 30 semester hours from Southern Miss
The Advisement Report (also called the DPR) includes all the degree requirements necessary
to receive an undergraduate degree.
The DPR (with option of PDF view) is available for students to print via their Academic
Requirements link on their SOAR self service page.
Graduate students print their “GRD11” which includes graduate degree requirements
also via SOAR self service page.
Questions concerning your degree requirements should be directed to your college dean’s
office or the Graduate School for graduate students
Some courses may or may not be substituted for other degree requirements depending
on extenuating circumstances, availability, requirements, GPA, etc. Students must
get ALL substitution requests approved and documented PRIOR to completion.
Students begin the process to file for their degree by completing the degree application
form for their major via the Graduation Application link on their SOAR self service
page.
All undergraduate students at the University will be eligible for Latin distinction
based solely on their Southern Miss GPA, with the following ranges:
Summa cum laude – GPA of 3.85 or higher
Magna cum laude – GPA of 3.70 to 3.84
Cum laude – GPA of 3.50 to 3.69
All undergraduate Honors College students at the University will be eligible for Latin
distinction based on their Southern Miss GPA and completion of various criteria, with
the following ranges:
For additional assistance regarding the graduation ceremony, contact the Degree Auditors
in the Registrar’s Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110.
Diplomas are typically mailed to graduates approximately 5 weeks after graduation
barring any financial obligations to the University.
Students who need a replacement or duplicate diploma may request one by completing
the “Replacement Diploma Request” form from the Registrar’s website (www.usm.edu/registrar/forms)
Replacement diplomas cost $30 per diploma
The Academic Council has placed a capstone requirement for all undergraduates completing
their baccalaureate degree. Students are required to complete capstone designated
courses prior to graduation.
Capstone courses are noted in the class notes and on the transcript as ‘Capstone’
courses.
Capstone courses that are required for degrees vary depending on the student’s major.
See the University Bulletin for specific degree requirements
The Academic Council has placed a writing intensive requirement for all undergraduates
completing their baccalaureate degree. Students are required to complete a minimum
of 9 hours of writing intensive designated courses prior to graduation.
Writing intensive courses are noted in the class notes and on the transcript as ‘Writing
Intensive’ courses.
Writing intensive courses that are required for degrees vary depending on the student’s
major. See the University Bulletin for specific degree requirements.
Contact Us
Office of the Registrar Kennard-Washington Hall (KWH) Room 110 118 College Drive, #5006 Hattiesburg, MS 39406