2016 Undergraduate Catalog

Graduation with Honors

The diplomas of graduating seniors receiving baccalaureate degrees will show honors categories based on the following scale:

Cum Laude

3.50 - 3.74

Magna Cum Laude

3.75 - 3.89

Summa Cum Laude

3.90 - 4.00

These honors categories are announced at commencement based on a student’s cumulative GPA at the end of the semester preceding the commencement ceremony. The honors category is calculated on the combined cumulative grade point average of all accepted college transfer credit hours and Cumberland University course work at the end of the semester preceding the commencement ceremony. Graduating seniors are not eligible for honors until they have completed at least 25% of the total semester hours required for the degree in upper division (300-400 numbered courses) credit hours through Cumberland University. If at commencement, a student's cumulative GPA would allow a higher category than that determined at the end of the semester preceding the graduation semester, the student will receive a substitute diploma indicating the higher category. In like fashion if at commencement ceremony the student's final cumulative GPA warrants a lower grade category, than this will be assigned to the student's final record. Courses may not be repeated for the purpose of raising an honors category. The student’s official transcript will reflect the appropriate honors category based on the cumulative GPA of all accepted college transfer work and all Cumberland University course work. Honors categories do not apply to graduate students.