Graduation with Honors -
Classes of 2009 through 2012
In December 2008, the Faculty Senate voted to begin awarding Latin honors by percentile rank within schools/colleges. At the same time, they approved a new set of honors designations for Commonwealth College graduates. The revised system is active for the Class of May 2009 onward.
Students who will graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst 2009 through 2012, and who become members of Commonwealth College, will be awarded Latin honors based upon either the old or new system, whichever results in the highest Latin honors designation.
These students will also be recommended for one of the new Commonwealth College Honors designations regardless of the system used to award Latin honors.
Details regarding both systems are outlined below.
Old Latin Honors Policy
Students who matriculated at the University prior to Summer 2009, and joined Commonwealth College, are grandfathered under the Latin honors requirements stated in the UMass Guide to Undergraduate Programs at the time of their admission. Satisfactory completion of those requirements, including 45 graded-residence credits, can result in the Latin honors designations below.
Note: Only one Latin honors designation may be awarded for each UMass Amherst degree earned (e.g., B.A., B.S., B.B.A.).
Cum laude is awarded to Commonwealth College students who earn a 3.200 or higher cumulative GPA.
Magna cum laude is awarded to Commonwealth College students who earn a minimum grade of B+ for their capstone experience (CE) courses, a minimum grade of B+ on their archive document, and have a cumulative GPA between 3.500 and 3.799 at the time of graduation
Summa cum laude is awarded to Commonwealth College students who earn a minimum grade of A- for their capstone experience (CE) courses, a minimum grade of A- on their archive document, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.800 or higher at the time of graduation
New Latin Honors Policy
Under the new policy, all students are eligible for Latin honors regardless of Commonwealth College membership. The new Latin honors system is administered by the Undergraduate Registrar's office and requires 54 graded-residence credits*.
* Exception: students who matriculated at the University prior to Summer 2009 are grandfathered under the old 45 graded-residence credits policy for cum laude. However, 54 graded-residence credits are required for magna and summa cum laude under the new system.
Students who choose to participate in Commonwealth College are additionally eligible for the Commonwealth College honors designations below.
Commonwealth College Honors
Students who choose to participate in Commonwealth College are additionally eligible for the Commonwealth College honors designations described below. These awards are based upon the student completing a minimum of 45 graded-residence credits.
Commonwealth College Honors
Awarded upon successful completion of Commonwealth College requirements with an cumulative GPA of 3.400* or higher, all required honors courses passed with Bs or higher, and completion of a 6-credit capstone experience with a grade or grades of B or higher.
* Students who matriculated at UMass prior to Summer 2009 are grandfathered under a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.200 for Commonwealth College Honors.
Commonwealth College Honors with distinction
Awarded upon successful completion of Commonwealth College requirements with an cumulative GPA of 3.400 or higher, all required honors courses passed with Bs or higher, and completion of a 6-credit capstone experience, including archive documentation requirements with a grade or grades of B+ or higher.
Commonwealth College Honors with great distinction
Awarded upon successful completion of Commonwealth College requirements with an cumulative GPA of 3.600 or higher, all required honors courses passed with Bs or higher, and completion of a 6-credit capstone experience, including archive documentation requirements with a grade or grades of A- or A.
Commonwealth College Honors with greatest distinction
Awarded upon successful completion of Commonwealth College requirements with an cumulative GPA of 3.800 or higher, all required honors courses passed with Bs or higher, and completion of a 6-credit capstone experience, including archive documentation requirements with a grade or grades of A- or A.
Optional:
Departmental Honors (DH)
Awarded to Commonwealth College students who satisfactorily complete the requirements of an optional DH track administered by Commonwealth College in collaboration with academic departments.
Interdisciplinary Honors (IH)
Awarded to Commonwealth College students who satisfactorily complete the requirements of an optional IH track within Commonwealth College.
More information about each track is available by accessing the links to the left.
For additional assistance, you may meet with a Commonwealth College advisor. |
