To earn the distinction Fulbright College Scholar Cum Laude at graduation, a student must successfully complete the honors core curriculum (approximately 50 hours), maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 (students who fall under the 2006 catalog year or earlier are required to maintain a 3.25 GPA), and satisfy requirements for Departmental Honors in the major field of study, including preparation and oral defense of an honors thesis.

Follow the links below to view the 4-Year Honors Core Requirement Checklists

Graduating with Honors

Summa
Minimum GPA 3.9
Minimum Honors Hours 24
Minimum Defense Score 6.5

Magna
Minimum GPA 3.8
Minimum Honors Hours 18
Minimum Defense Score 3.5

Cum
Minimum GPA 3.25 (3.50 beginning with 2007-2008 Catalog year)
Minimum Honors Hours 12
Minimum Defense Score 1.0

The Honors Council will award the level of Honors based on this recommendation and the student’s overall program including the cumulative GPA and the number of honors hours. The Honors Council meets at the end of each semester to determine levels of honors distinction. A student must meet the minimum criteria in each area—grade point average, number of Honors hours, and thesis defense score—to receive a respective level.

Because the Honors Council meets before Final Exams of a given term, the Council considers the student’s cumulative grade point average at the end of the previous semester. For spring 2010 graduates, the fall 2009 final GPA will be used in determining honors distinction.