Graduation Guide: Distinction and Honors
Academic distinction is granted to undergraduate students. It is determined approximately three weeks before graduation using the institutional GPA (GPA of courses taken at East Texas A&M) from the prior semester. We refer to grades from the previous semester because final grades will not have been officially been posted at the time of the ceremony. Students who achieve academic distinction will be provided a medallion at no cost on the day of the commencement ceremony. Stoles and cords are not provided for academic distinction.
If you are a student in the College of Innovation and Design (competency-based), you may or may not be awarded distinction at the time of the ceremony. If you have not taken courses with ETAMU previously, we do not have prior grades to refer to from our institution. We will, however, update your GPA and award any earned distinction once final grades are processed.
Levels of Distinction
East Texas A&M determines levels of distinction based on the following GPAs:
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.90-4.00
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.70-3.89
- Cum Laude: 3.50-3.69
Honors
Honors, High Honors, and Highest Honors are awarded, as determined by the Hearing Committee, to students in the Honors College based on defense of their thesis. The Honors College provides pins and fourrageres as well as stoles for Regents Scholars.
Distinction and honors will be listed in the program and will be announced with the students’ name as they cross the stage. If your distinction level changes after the ceremony, we will be happy to exchange your medallion.
Due to the inherent nature of the required high GPA for master’s and doctoral candidates, academic distinction and honors are not recognized at these levels.