Scholastic Honors

Special distinction for high scholarship is awarded to certain undergraduate students as follows:

• Summa cum laude (with highest honor) for those who have a grade point average of at least 3.90.
• Magna cum laude (with great honor) for those who have a grade point average between 3.75 and 3.89.
• Cum laude (with honor) for those who have a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.74.

The GPA is based on the lowest of the student’s Missouri State cumulative GPA or the student’s combined (Missouri State and transfer) cumulative GPA.

Students meeting the GPA criteria at the close of the semester immediately preceding their final semester are issued an honors cordon to wear with their academic regalia at commencement. The colors designating the honors are: summa cum laude, gold; magna cum laude, silver; and cum laude, bronze.

Transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 hours at MSU to be eligible for scholastic honors. Recognition of honors at commencement is based on completed and in-progress hours combined.

Cooperative Engineering Program candidate honors are based on Missouri University of Science and Technology scholastic honors requirements.

The final eligibility for scholastic honors is based on credit hour totals and grade point averages at the end of the semester of graduation and are recorded on the University diploma and transcript. Learn more: Scholastic Honors Policy