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

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. Students awarded these academic honors receive a certificate at the Honors Convocation the following fall. This recognition becomes part of the official record and appears on the transcript.

• 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.

• 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. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 60 units in undergraduate residence at the University of Arizona, with letter grades that carry a grade-point value in a minimum of 45 units. Also, in computing the above grade-point averages, only work in residence is considered.

For Juris Doctor degrees, summa cum laude is awarded to candidates whose grade average is 3.5 or higher; magna cum laude, to candidates whose average is 3.4999 to 3.2500; cum laude, to candidates whose average is 3.2499 to 3.0000. In computing these averages, only work carrying University credit and applicable to the Juris Doctor degree is considered. To be eligible for distinction at graduation, Juris Doctor degree candidates must have completed at least 40 units of such work.

• 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. (UAC)