Graduation with Distinction/Honors

"Distinction?" "Honors?" What's it all about, you ask? Read on!

Candidates for Associates degree graduation who demonstrate high levels of scholarship through their coursework will graduate with distinction. "With Distinction" is awarded when students achieve a GPA of 3.50 or better for all undergraduate coursework at Kent State University.

In order for students to be considered for graduation "With Distinction" and have it inscribed on their diploma, a minimum of 32 credit hours must be completed at Kent State University. The student's GPA (which should be unadjusted by the application of the Academic Forgiveness Policy or Course Repeat Policy), will be used in determining "With Distinction."

Candidates for Baccalaureate degrees who demonstrate high levels of scholarship throughout their undergraduate years are graduated with institutional honors. Graduation with Institutional Honors is conferred on students who earn baccalaureate degrees with a GPA of at least:

  • 3.50 cum laude
  • 3.70 magna cum laude
  • 3.90 summa cum laude

Institutional Honors are based solely on the GPA earned in all coursework taken at Kent State University, including original grades forgiven under other policies. A minimum of 60 semester hours must be earned at Kent State University to qualify. For the purposes of computing the final GPA and determining honors awards, the GPA is extended to three decimal places and not rounded up.

Honor citations are inscribed on diplomas as follows: cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude.

Honors candidates will be distinguished at the commencement ceremony based on all their institutional academic work completed prior to those courses taken during their final term of enrollment.