Graduation Honors

General Information

There are three categories of undergraduate graduation honors

  • Department Honors - Students must complete research and a thesis written under supervision of a faculty member (see the Undergraduate Catalog, Special Academic Opportunities section;)
  • Honors College - Students must complete designated honors courses, submit and successfully defend a thesis, and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in honors courses of 3.35 (see the Undergraduate Catalog, Special Academic Opportunities section;)
  • University Honors (Latin Honors) - Students who have earned consistently superior grades in their course work at Millersville University (MU) are recognized for their achievements at the commencement ceremony with the designation of Latin Honors. The diploma and transcript carry the earned honors designation.

Calculation of University Latin Honors

A student must have a minimum MU CGPA of 3.50 to be considered for graduation honors eligibility (see detailed criteria below). Since final grades are posted to the academic record after commencement has taken place, "in progress" courses cannot be included in calculating honors status. Therefore, a student's current MU CGPA, excluding in-progress work, will be used to determine the honors level for a degree candidate to wear a Latin Honors cord at the commencement ceremony and to print the candidate's honors level in the ceremony program. After final grades are posted, academic honors eligibility for all degree candidates will be recalculated. Any changes in the honors designations will be reflected on the graduate's diploma and transcript.

University Latin Honors Criteria

Students are recognized at commencement and their diploma and transcript reflect the following honors levels based on the CGPA:

  • cum laude 3.50-3.74
  • magna cum laude 3.75-3.94
  • summa cum laude 3.95-4.00 (the highest earned academic honor the University can bestow)

Baccalaureate Degree Candidates

To qualify for Latin honors, candidates must:

  • Earn a CGPA of 3.50 or higher in work done at MU, and
  • Complete at least 60 credits of MU course work.

Second Baccalaureate Degree Candidates

Students completing a second baccalaureate degree program at MU are not eligible for Latin honors.

Associate Degree Candidates

To qualify for the designation “with honors” on their diploma and transcript, associate degree candidates must:

  • Earn a CGPA of 3.50 or higher, and
  • Complete at least 30 credits with grades of A through D- of MU course work.