Baccalaureate Examination

Baccalaureate Examination Overview

The baccalaureate examination, conducted by the baccalaureate committee, is an oral defense of the student’s performance in three areas: the senior thesis, the Area(s) of Concentration, and the student's undergraduate education in general. It is typically the final requirement for graduation, coming in the final semester and presupposing completion of the senior thesis and substantial completion of the requirements for the Area(s) of Concentration. No student may graduate until the quality of their educational achievement has been closely examined and approved by three faculty members. The ability to express ideas and information orally is assessed as part of the baccalaureate examination process. The baccalaureate examination usually is held two or three weeks prior to the semester's end, but examinations can be scheduled earlier. The dates reserved for baccalaureate exams are announced in the academic calendar.