Academic Distinction, Dean's List, Honors and Awards

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 certificates. The University of Arizona supports academic achievement and is pleased to recognize and reward undergraduate students whose performance merits special attention. For more information see the Honors College section.

Dean's List

Three categories of Dean's List are awarded every semester based on units completed for credit and letter grade (excluding all Pass/Fail [P/F] and Superior/Pass [S/P] grades). Also, all Incomplete (I) grades must be made up before the honor is bestowed.

1. Dean's List with Distinction -- is based on 15 units and a 4.000 grade-point-average.
2. Dean's List -- is based on 15 units and a grade-point average of 3.500-3.999.
3. 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 of Distinction are awarded annually based on units completed for credit and letter grade (excluding all Pass/Fail [P/F] and Superior/Pass [S/P] grades). Also, all Incomplete (I) grades must be made up before the honor is bestowed. Distinction is based on all University credit completed in the prior year, beginning with Summer Pre-session and inclusive of other Summer Sessions, Fall, Winter, and Spring terms, and Dynamically Dated courses. During each regular semester (i.e. Fall and Spring), students must complete a minimum of 12 graded units.

1. Highest Academic Distinction -- is based on 30 units and a 4.000 grade-point-average.
2. 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 of their primary college (i.e. the college of their first major or their first degree program) the following Fall. Students awarded either category of Distinction will receive a certificate from their primary college.

Graduation with Academic Distinction

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.

1. Summa Cum Laude -- is awarded to candidates whose grade-point-average is 3.900 or higher.
2. Magna Cum Laude -- is awarded to candidates whose grade-point-average is 3.700-3.899.
3. 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 University Credit 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 cord and medallion 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 academic advisors.