Undergraduate Honors: Undergraduate students may be designated as Summa, Magna, or Cum Laude graduates based on their final cumulative GPA. This designation will appear on the diploma and transcript.
Honors Designations:
Cum Laude: 3.5-3.69
Magna Cum Laude: 3.7-3.89
Summa Cum Laude: 3.9 – 4.0
Honors Cord: Students graduating Summa, Magna, or Cum Laude are identified as such at the ceremony
and in the commencement bulletin. Honors students will be allowed to wear a gold
cord at the commencement ceremony. The cord may be pick-up at the One-Stop, Killian
Annex. A picture ID is required.
Honors College Medallion: Students in the Honors College who complete Honors College requirements will receive
an Honors College Medallion prior to the commencement ceremony. The medallion is
distributed by the Honors College.
University Scholars: Undergraduate students who enroll as freshmen and complete their entire undergraduate
careers at Western Carolina University with a cumulative GPA of 4.00. Students who
meet this requirement, except for courses taken with permission at other institutions
as transients, are eligible for designation as University Scholars. Students graduating
as a University Scholar are recognized at the commencement ceremony.
Approved Insignias for Commencement Ceremony: The University approved honors insignia listing from academic organizations may be
found at Approved Insignias for WCU Graduation Ceremony.
NOTES: GPAs for the graduation ceremony are based on your current cumulative GPA. Final grades are not available at the time of the ceremony. Graduate students
are not eligible for honors.