Graduation Honors
Honors awarded to Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) students at graduation are based on the number of credits earned at UMW. If your goal is to graduate with honors, please carefully read the information below to understand how they are calculated.
Academic and Departmental Honors
For complete information, visit the Academic Honors page in the UMW Academic Catalog.
Academic Honors/Distinctions are printed on your transcript underneath the degree you earned. You can verify this information at any time by looking at your transcript.
A: Students who have completed between 30 and 59 residential credits on which GPA can be calculated will be eligible for Distinction Honors. This information can be found on your transcript.
Distinction | 3.30 – 3.74 |
Highest Distinction | 3.75 – 4.00 |
Students who have completed 60+ residential credits on which GPA can be calculated will be eligible for Academic Honors. This information can be found on your transcript.
Cum Laude | 3.25 – 3.49 |
Magna Cum Laude | 3.50 – 3.74 |
Summa Cum Laude | 3.75 – 4.00 |
This is noted on your diploma and on your permanent record. If you have questions about this, please contact the Office of the Registrar at (540) 654-1063.
The GPA for honors is calculated through the completion of the senior year.
A: Many academic departments have programs in place to recognize exceptional work in the major or in another area. Departmental Honors may include an extensive research paper or project. Whatever type of work is required by the individual department must be submitted to the library after honors have been awarded. In the middle of the spring semester, each department will be solicited for potential candidates for honors. Departmental Honors are noted on the student’s permanent record and in the commencement program.