Students are placed on the Dean’s List of distinguished students when they earn a 3.4 semester GPA or better with an approved course load of 12 or more graded credits. A failing grade or NC (No Credit) will make students ineligible for the Dean’s List.
Intermediate Honors. A certificate of Intermediate Honors is awarded to students entering the University directly from high school or preparatory school who earn at least 60 credits of course work at the University and are among the top 20 percent of their class in the College of Arts & Sciences. The computation is based upon the cumulative grade point average at the end of the fourth semester. No more than 12 of the 60 required credits may be earned on a CR/NC basis. Further, students must have remained in Good Standing. Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, and transfer credits do not count toward the required credits.
Degrees with distinction, high distinction, and highest distinction are awarded by the Committee on Special Programs to students who have a grade point average of 3.400 or higher and have been recommended by the departments or interdepartmental programs in which they have completed a Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) or the equivalent. Distinguished majors programs require that students submit a written thesis. All degree programs in the College of Arts and Sciences offer a distinguished majors program except astronomy, drama, and medieval studies. In departments offering thesis courses, non-DMP students may have an opportunity to write a thesis; contact the specific departments for more information. The committee also awards distinction (but not high or highest distinction) to students who have not enrolled in, or who have discontinued, a DMP but who complete their degree with a grade point average of at least 3.600.
Phi Beta Kappa. Students are elected to Phi Beta Kappa for their stellar academic performance. Undergraduate members of Phi Beta Kappa are chosen from the top 12 percent of the fourth-year class and the top 4 percent of the third-year class.
Echols Scholars The Echols Scholars Program offers special opportunities such as priority registration and exemption from area requirements to those undergraduates in the College of Arts & Sciences who are its most avid learners.
Interdisciplinary Major Program The Interdisciplinary Major Program offers students with unusual interests, superior ability, and exceptional self-discipline the opportunity to design an individual program of study instead of pursuing a regular department major.
College Science Scholars. College Science Scholars is an enrichment program for exceptional students overseen by the chairs of the departments of Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.