There is a lot of debate surrounding the difference between summa cum laude and magna cum laude. In order to graduate with summa cum laude, a student must have a GPA of 3.9 or higher. For magna cum laude, a student must have a GPA of 3.7 or higher. To graduate with either of these, a student must also complete all the required coursework and have no incomplete grades.
- Cum laude: Top 20-30% of students or a GPA of 3.5-3.7.
- Magna cum laude: Top 10-15% of students or a GPA of 3.8 to 3.9.
- Summa cum laude: Top 1-5% of students or a GPA of 4.0+
What are the requirements to graduate summa, magna and cum laude?
Universities are free to set their own standards as there is no current national standard for receiving any of the Latin honors. Universities frequently reserve these distinctions for students who achieve a particular GPA or place in a specific portion of their class when compared to their peers. Some universities have additional requirements for receiving one of the honors, such as submitting special projects, finishing a predetermined number of advanced courses, or receiving a letter of recommendation from a faculty member. Generally, the requirements for each academic honor are:
Consult with your academic advisor so you are aware of your eligibility for honors and what you need to do to achieve such distinction since each university and the specific colleges or programs of study can determine what they consider summa, magna, and cum laude.
The college of medicine, for instance, might decide that students with a GPA of 3 Given the difficulty of undergraduate courses in this field of study, students who score 85 or higher are eligible for summa cum laude. The college of communications may decide that students with a GPA of 3 are the only ones eligible for summa cum laude. 95 or higher.
Types of academic honors
Academic honors come in a variety of forms, and the ones that are available to you may depend on the types of honors that your university recognizes. Other distinctions may apply to specific universities or colleges. For instance, the college of engineering may confer particular academic honors on engineering majors who have satisfied certain requirements; however, this requirement may be different from that of another college at the university.
Academic honors at the university level typically come in the following forms:
We go into more detail about each of these academic distinctions below.
Honor student
If you took a certain number of honors courses and did well in them, you might be designated an honor student. Honors classes typically have more demanding coursework than regular classes, with more homework assignments and other projects to complete.
Deans list
Some colleges will also confer their own deans list distinction on graduates. The college or school at the university where a student completed the majority of their coursework or is pursuing their degree typically performs this. An education major, for instance, might be recognized by their university’s college of education with the deans list honor. Every semester that a student achieves deans list status, specific colleges may also award certificates.
Cum laude
If you receive the designation “cum laude,” which comes from the Latin for “with praise,” you will be graduating as an honors student. Universities typically require a high GPA to obtain this distinction, just like other academic honors. Depending on the requirements of the universities or colleges, they might specify the precise GPA you need or take a look at how you compare to your peers. To graduate cum laude, you usually have to be in at least the top 30% academically
Magna cum laude
Magna cum laude, which means “with great honor,” is another Latin honor that is typically given to students who have excelled academically but who do not belong to the top echelon of graduates. This is usually the distinction that the top 10% to 15% of students earn, although this can also vary by university and the students program of study
Summa cum laude
The summa cum laude distinction, which translates to “with the highest honor,” is the highest honor award in Latin. %22 Typically awarded to the top 1% to 5% of graduates, summa cum laude is an incredibly impressive distinction that will make you stand out from your peers post-graduation
What are a valedictorian and a salutatorian?
The graduate with the highest academic standing in their graduating class is known as the valedictorian, while the salutatorian comes in second. Although some people only associate valedictorian and salutatorian awards with high school diplomas, these titles are also given to students in some colleges and universities.
If a university bestows these honors, they typically also set aside time during a graduation ceremony for these two students to address the graduates. The valedictorian and salutatorian may share their experiences and offer their fellow students inspiration and motivation for the future during these speeches.
How will my school decide which distinction to award?
Your school will first determine which distinction to bestow by adding your cumulative GPA to the GPA of your peers. The graduating class will then be ranked by your university using GPA to determine your official ranking. From here, they can determine the valedictorian and salutatorian.
The same procedure may be used by your particular college or department each year to decide how to distinguish its graduating class. Finally, throughout your academic career, your college will search for and assess any additional requirements for the honors distinctions.
Latin Honors Explained | Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude | South Africa
FAQ
How do I know if I graduate with summa cum laude?
However, summa cum laude typically relies on a student’s grade point average. Usually, it has to be high: 3. 9 or above. The requirements for a summa cum laude may also include a student’s grade point average, the number of credit hours taken, and additional requirements like a thesis or senior project.
Is Magna summa laude a 4.0 GPA?
Some universities bestow Latin honors at certain GPA levels. Typically, a GPA of 3. Cum laude designation requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 5, with higher GPAs required for magna and summa cum laude. The designation is solely determined by a student’s overall GPA.
How do I graduate magna laude?
The three honors and the required GPAs for each on a scale of four 0 scale include: Summa cum laude: 3. 9–4. 0 GPA. Magna cum laude: 3. 7–3. 8 GPA. Cum laude: 3. 5–3. 6 GPA.
