Honors

The University provides three routes for obtaining Honors recognition. 

1. Dean's List
   Students will be appointed to an official Dean's List at the end of a semester in which they complete a minimum of 12 graded credits with a grade point average of 3.500 or better. Dean's List is not a graduation honor. Questions about the Dean’s List should be referred to the Registrar's Office. 
2. For All Students
   All graduating seniors are eligible for Latin honors designations on diplomas and transcripts if his/her complete academic record shows at least 45 calculable credits at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and meets one or more of the following criteria: 
   1. If a student’s GPA places him/her among the top 5% of the graduating class of his/her school or college, then he/she will receive the degree summa cum laude. 
   2. If a student’s GPA places him/her among the top 10% of the graduating class of his/her school or college, but not among the top 5%, then he/she will receive the degree magna cum laude. 
   3. If a student’s GPA places him/her among the top 25% of the graduating class of his/her school or college, but not among the top 10%, then he/she will receive the degree cum laude. The Registrar will annually post on their website the GPA needed to secure a place in the top 5%, 10%, and 25% in each school or college for the current year, based on the average of the previous three years’ graduating classes. 
      NOTE: For all students admitted Spring 2009 or earlier and who graduate within 5 years, cum laude will be based on a 3.200 GPA and 45 calculable credits. Students admitted after Spring 2009, cum laude will change to the top 25% GPA as stated above. 
3. For Commonwealth Honors College Students
   The Commonwealth Honors College Curriculum Committee and Dean, using criteria that they shall determine, may recommend a student who has completed the requirements of the Commonwealth Honors College for any one of the following designations upon graduation: 
   1. Commonwealth College Honors with greatest distinction. 
   2. Commonwealth College Honors with great distinction. 
   3. Commonwealth College Honors with distinction. 4. Commonwealth College Honors. A student who meets both criteria for Commonwealth College honors and Latin honors will receive the degree with honors of both types—for example, “B.A. magna cum laude, Commonwealth College Scholar with the greatest distinction.” 
      NOTE: For Commonwealth Honors College students, admitted Spring 2009 or earlier and who graduate within 5 years, cum laude will be based on a 3.200 GPA and 45 calculable credits, magna cum laude will be based on a 3.500 GPA and summa cum laude will be based on a 3.800 GPA. Students admitted after Spring 2009, will be subject to the new Latin honors as stated above.

Source: Academic Regulations