UMass Amherst

Honors Requirements

Requirements for graduating with honors reflect Commonwealth College’s commitment to community, academic excellence, and a breadth of knowledge beyond any single discipline. While cum laude (with honors) may be granted to all students graduating with a 3.2 GPA who complete 45 graded credits in residence at UMass Amherst, only those who complete the College’s requirements may graduate as Commonwealth College Scholars, and only Commonwealth College Scholars are eligible for higher Latin honors (magna cum laude and summa cum laude) upon graduation.

Whichever honors track you choose to follow—Commonwealth College Honors, Commonwealth College Departmental Honors, or Commonwealth College Interdisciplinary Honors—you will be expected to complete a particular sequence of required academic undertakings that includes University General Education courses, the interdisciplinary Dean’s Book Course, and the Capstone Experience research requirement. And you will be expected to complete these requirements with grades of B or higher.

Please follow the links on the left to learn more about the particular programs of study required of Commonwealth College Scholars.


Graduating as a Commonwealth College Scholar requires a course of study that reflects the College's mission.