Graduation with Honors

Cal Poly Humboldt awards honors to students at the time their bachelor's degree is awarded, based on the following criteria:

• Completion of 30 units in letter-graded course work in residence at Cal Poly Humboldt
• A minimum GPA of 3.50 on all work taken at Cal Poly Humboldt
• Overall minimum GPA of 3.50 on all work attempted

The overall grade point average (including both transfer and Cal Poly Humboldt course work) determines which honors the student receives at graduation:*

• SUMMA CUM LAUDE (highest honors) - 3.85 to 4.00
• MAGNA CUM LAUDE (high honors) - 3.70 to 3.84
• CUM LAUDE (honors) - 3.50 to 3.69

Graduate programs are not eligible for honors listed above.

*For students earning a second bachelor's degree the overall GPA includes undergraduate and post-baccalaureate coursework.

Honors Recognition at Commencement

Students who graduated with honors as well as bachelor's degree candidates who are on track for honors (criteria above) as of the semester prior to commencement will receive recognition at commencement and may wear a gold color cord during the ceremony. Since commencement is held before semester grades are finalized, recognition for honors at commencement does not guarantee that graduation with honors will be awarded once the final GPA is calculated. 

Master's degree candidates do not wear honors cords at commencement.

Honors Cord Purchase

If you are eligible for honors recognition at commencement, you can purchase an honors cord from the campus store to wear during the ceremony. The Office of the Registrar will notify the campus store that you are eligible to purchase an honors cord.

If your GPA is almost there and you expect to reach honors when current grades are taken into consideration, you may submit a Petition to Purchase an Honors Cord.

Graduation with Distinction 

One graduate student in each master's program may be selected to receive the Patricia O. McConkey Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Students who receive this award will graduate with distinction.

For more information contact Graduate Studies at 707-826-5194.