Print this page

Honor Cords and Graduating with Honors

Graduates who are graduating with honors will receive their honor cords with their caps and gowns prior to Commencement. Honors are determined based on GPA at the end of the Fall semester prior to spring commencement. Please note that recognition on the Dean's List and graduating with honors have different criteria; inclusion on the Dean's List does not necessarily mean the student meets honors criteria at Commencement. 

Honors level criteria are outlined below: 

  • "with honors" for associate degree students with a GPA above 3.5
  • "with distinction" for students whose GPA is in the top 5% of the associate degree graduating class
  • "cum laude" for bachelor degree students with a GPA of 3.5 - 3.69
  • "magna cum laude" for bachelor degree students with a GPA of 3.7 - 3.85
  • "summa cum laude" for bachelor degree students with a GPA of 3.86 - 4.0