ACADEMIC 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 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.

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 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.

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 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 Degree 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.

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 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.


Page last updated:  May 20, 2013


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