University Academic Honors
Honors are bestowed as recognition of outstanding academic achievement and
as a means to further encourage sound scholarship. They are awarded to every
undergraduate student attaining the required proficiency. For some awards,
students also receive plaques and certificates. The University of Arizona
supports academic achievement and is pleased to recognize and reward
undergraduate students whose performance merits special attention.
Dean's List
(Policy updated June 26, 2003: clarification on how
students are recognized by their primary
college.)
Three categories are awarded every semester based on units completed for
credit and letter grade (excluding all Pass/Fail and "S" grades).
Also, all grades of "I" must be made up before the honor is
bestowed.
- Dean's List with Distinction -- is based on 15 units and a 4.000
grade-point average.
- Dean's List -- is based on 15 units and a grade-point average of
3.500-3.999.
- Honorable Mention -- is based on 12 units of 3.500 and above
grade-point average.
Students awarded these academic honors are recognized by their primary college
(i.e. the college of their first major or their first degree program), either
at the Honors Convocation the following fall or through other means determined
by the college. This recognition becomes part of the official record and
appears on the transcript.
Academic Distinction
Two categories are awarded annually based on units completed for credit and
letter grade (excluding all Pass/Fail and "S" grades). Also, all
grades of "I" must be made up before the honor is bestowed.
- Highest Academic Distinction -- is based on 30 units and a 4.000
grade-point average.
- Academic Distinction -- is based on 30 units and a grade- point
average of 3.500-3.999.
Students awarded these academic honors are recognized at the Honors
Convocation the following fall. Those students with a 4.000 grade-point
average receive plaques. Those students with a 3.500-3.999 grade-point average
receive certificates.
Graduation with Academic Distinction
(Policy updated August 25, 2003: reference to
graduates with the Juris Doctor Degrees deleted per request of the College of
Law.)
Three categories are awarded for superior scholarship in work leading to
the bachelor's degree. This honor, based upon graduation grade-point average,
becomes part of the official record, is awarded upon graduation and appears on
the transcript and diploma of the recipient.
- Summa Cum Laude -- is awarded to candidates whose grade-point
average is 3.900 or higher.
- Magna Cum Laude -- is awarded to candidates whose grade-point
average is 3.700-3.899.
- Cum Laude -- is awarded to candidates whose grade-point average
is 3.5000-3.699.
To be eligible for distinction at graduation, bachelor's degree candidates
must have completed at least 45 graded units with letter grades that carry the
required grade-point average. Also, in computing the above grade-point
averages, only work in residence is considered. This policy applies to all
students graduating in December 1998 or later.
Graduation with Honors
Graduation with Honors is bestowed on students who have completed all
requirements of the University-wide Honors Program. This academic recognition
becomes part of the official record and is noted on the transcript and diploma
of the recipient. Honors students also wear a special stole at graduation.
Other Awards and Honors
Other awards and honors in recognition of outstanding academic achievement
are bestowed through the various colleges and departments. Also, colleges and
departments offer participation in discipline-based honor societies and
associations. Interested students should contact departmental and college
advisors.