Degrees with Honors

Latin Honors

Honor designations for baccalaureate degrees are cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude.

  • Cum laude is awarded to a degree candidate who has completed at least 90 quarter hours at the University with a minimum GPA of 3.75 in all course work taken at DU. For candidates with fewer than 90 quarter hours, cum laude is awarded if the student received a recommendation from the major department and if he or she achieved a minimum GPA of 3.75 at the University.
  • Magna cum laude is awarded to a degree candidate who has completed at least 90 quarter hours at the University with a minimum GPA of 3.85 in all course work taken at DU. A candidate for this honor must present a thesis or project, or receive distinction in his or her major. For candidates with fewer than 90 quarter hours, magna cum laude is awarded if the student received a recommendation from the major department and if he or she achieved a minimum GPA of 3.85 at the University.
  • Summa cum laude is awarded to a degree candidate who has earned a minimum of 90 quarter hours at the Univer­sity with a minimum GPA of 3.95. A candidate for this honor must present a thesis or project, or receive distinc­tion in his or her major. For candidates with fewer than 90 quarter hours, summa cum laude is awarded if the student received a recommendation from the major department and if he or she achieved a minimum GPA of 3.95 at the University.

University Honors

University Honors Program students who successfully complete honors course requirements along with distinc­tion in their major are recognized upon graduation with both university honors and distinction in the major.

Distinction in the Major

Most departments offer recognition in the form of distinc­tion in the major. These programs typically include special course requirements and completion of a senior thesis or project. Timing and requirements for entry and completion vary by department, so students should contact a major advisor for details and consult distinction requirements listed in this bulletin under individual programs. Graduation with university honors requires completion of distinction in the major, but students not in the University Honors Program can earn distinction in most departments as well.