Academic Honors Thresholds

Eligibility for determining Latin honors at graduation and Dean’s Honors/Dean’s High Honors at the end of each semester is calculated based on a system of GPA thresholds that varies slightly from year to year, depending on the grade point averages of the four previous graduating classes.

The College awards Latin honors based on all coursework taken after secondary school. The degree of Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude is awarded to graduating students whose cumulative grade point average is greater than or equal to the alpha number. The degree of Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude is awarded to graduating students whose cumulative grade point average is less than the alpha number and greater than or equal to the beta number. The degree of Bachelor of Arts cum laude is awarded to graduating students whose cumulative grade point average is less than the beta number and greater than or equal to the gamma number.


For the 2023-2024 academic year, the thresholds are as follows: Summa cum laude: 3.96 Magna cum laude: 3.91 Cum laude: 3.82 Dean's High Honors: 3.91 Dean's Honors: 3.82 Major GPA Calculation for Academic Honors Use the Major GPA Calculator to determine GPA within the major. The major GPA includes all courses taken by a student that can count toward the major. Students who have questions about whether a course may be counted toward the major should contact their faculty adviser, department chair, or program director. The College awards the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors Study in the Major Field to graduating students who have completed their Honors Study with a grade of A or A-. The College awards the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors Study and Distinction in the Major Field to graduating students who have completed their Honors Study with a grade of A or A- and who have a grade point average of at least 3.7 in all courses that may be counted toward the major, including those taken during the first-year or its equivalent. The College awards the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in the Major Field to graduating students whose grade point average is at least 3.7 in all courses that may be counted toward the major, including those taken during the first-year or its equivalent.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, the thresholds are as follows:

Summa cum laude: 3.96
Magna cum laude: 3.91
Cum laude: 3.82

Dean's High Honors: 3.91
Dean's Honors: 3.82

Major GPA Calculation for Academic Honors

Use the Major GPA Calculator to determine GPA within the major. The major GPA includes all courses taken by a student that can count toward the major. Students who have questions about whether a course may be counted toward the major should contact their faculty adviser, department chair, or program director.

The College awards the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors Study in the Major Field to graduating students who have completed their Honors Study with a grade of A or A-. The College awards the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors Study and Distinction in the Major Field to graduating students who have completed their Honors Study with a grade of A or A- and who have a grade point average of at least 3.7 in all courses that may be counted toward the major, including those taken during the first-year or its equivalent.

The College awards the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in the Major Field to graduating students whose grade point average is at least 3.7 in all courses that may be counted toward the major, including those taken during the first-year or its equivalent.