Honors

Graduating with Departmental Distinction

There are three requirements to graduate with departmental distinction:

  1. An overall GPA of at least 3.3.
  2. A departmental GPA of at least 3.5.
  3. Completion of Sociology 495, Junior-Senior Honors Seminar or Sociology 490, Honors Independent Study

Enrollment in Sociology 495 is restricted to juniors and seniors who have permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Keep in mind that Sociology 495 is usually offered only in the Spring semester.

Although Departmental Distinction is not represented on your transcript, you will receive a certificate, and an item for your resume!

Graduating with LAS College Honors

To be eligible to graduate with LAS College Honors, you must do one of the following:

  • Graduate with departmental distinction.
  • Complete 25 hours of honors courses (see the Timetable).
  • Earn 35 hours of advanced course work (see LAS Student Handbook).

To actually receive college honors, you must graduate within the top 12% of your class. The three levels of college honors, and approximate GPAs needed are:

College Honors
Approximate GPA Needed
Summa cum laude Top 3% of graduating class 3.93
Magna cum laude Top 7% of graduating class 3.85
Cum laude Top 12% of graduating class 3.76