Can a university revoke your degree if you get in trouble with the law?

Maybe it could happen; but, it appears to me that it’s usually the honorary degrees that are revoked due to questionable behavior.

Yes most can, usually it stems from academic dishonesty in pursuit of the degree but not discovered until after the degree is awarded. Generally it’s for actions that violate code of conduct or other rules during the period of working on the degree.

what @ARE_you_kidding_me said.
I doubt they would take your degree if you shoplifted, for example. They probably only would if it was related to your degree in the sense of you lied about graduating high school or you provided fake info that leads to you getting accepted.

No. The university did not give the degree, a student earned the degree.

@MollyMcGuire It’s rare but yes they can.

In trying to locate a better answer, I became more confused…one officer of a university said NO they couldn’t & then another person of equal status said YES they could. So, I kept on looking. According to Howard University’s Revocation Policy, YES they can; but they opt NOT to unless in the case of a severe infraction.Like many things in life, they cover their butt…just in case…then choose NOT to!!!

Five universities revoke Bill Cosby’s honorary degrees after sexual assault conviction

Honorary degrees are handed out to the rich in hopes of a financial return where the average degree is paid for with cash & a lot of hard work. Now, IF someone with a honorary degree doesn’t uphold the implied honor, the school will snatch it back in a second. However, those who bought & paid for their degree with their own blood, sweat, & tears are not held to the same standards. It seems most universities have a policy in place to cover them IF a student does something so horrendous that they lose their honor that the school has the ability to pull their degree. Still, the school often opt to not invoke the policy & allow the law to deal with the problem.

Yes, this can definitely be done if you misuse your degree for unlawful activities. E.g. A physician, who is not authorised to perform an abortion, is caught while carrying out unauthorised medical termination of pregnancy will be jailed and have his/her degree revoked.

@PIN_24, Are you sure you don’t mean license to practice, rather than an academic degree?

@Jeruba Both can be revoked in such situations.

The answer is no.

@MollyMcGuire the answer is yes, but only in certain situations/degrees

Not in this country.

It can happen in America what are you talking about