Latin Honors
Academic honors are designated only for undergraduate students completing their baccalaureate degrees.
To qualify to graduate with the recognition of Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude as an undergraduate student the following criteria must be met:
- Achieve a minimum Sam Houston State University grade point average of 3.50 computed on all resident classroom instruction.
- Achieve not less than a 3.50 cumulative grade point average computed on all accepted transfer resident classroom instruction and Sam Houston State University resident classroom instruction.
- Completed not fewer than thirty term credit hours in residence at Sam Houston State University; not fewer than twenty-four of hours must be advanced.
Completed all other requirements for graduation at Sam Houston State University.
| UNDERGRADUATE LATIN HONORS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cum Laude | Magna Cum Laude | Summa Cum Laude |
| SHSU grade point average must be in the 3.50 - 3.66 range. | SHSU grade point average must be in the 3.67 - 3.85 range. | SHSU grade point average must be in the 3.86 - 4.00 range. |
| Cumulative grade point average must be in the 3.50 - 3.66 range. | Cumulative grade point average must be in the 3.67 - 3.85 range. | Cumulative grade point average must be in the 3.86 - 4.00 range. |
The cumulative grade point average is an average of all transfer course work and the Sam Houston State University course work.
Both the cumulative grade point average and the Sam Houston grade point average must fall within the parameters above for the designation of Latin Honors.
A Latin Honor is awarded only to students receiving baccalaureate degrees at the undergraduate level who meet the grade point average as prescribed in our Academic Policy
Please note that the honor recognized at commencement is based on the grade point average as of the 12th class day of the current term (4th class day of the summer term for summer graduates). Because grades are not official and the term is not completed until after commencement, the current term grades are not taken into consideration when recognizing Latin Honors at commencement. However, the current term grades are used in determining the Latin Honor posted to the transcript record and the diploma.
Cords for Honors: The university provides cords for those students recognized with graduation honors which are the Latin Honors of Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude, and Honors/Honors College honors, or Academic Distinction in a specific discipline. Those degree candidates determined to be recognized with graduation honors will be corded during the line-up by the University Faculty Marshals. The Registrar's Office will provide a listing of those available to be recognized with these honors and will designate the honor by printing it on the seating card. The graduation honor is read by the university name caller when the student crosses the stage.