Baccalaureate Honors
Baccalaureate honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) are awarded only to recipients of a first baccalaureate degree. These honors are earned by students who have completed no fewer than 90 residence credits at this institution. At least 60 of the 90 credits must have been acquired on a graded basis.
The University’s Honors Committee determines annually the grade-point requirement for baccalaureate honor at each campus. In recent years, approximately ten percent of students have been awarded baccalaureate honors. Distance Learning courses (those that include a DL prefix) are included in the UW cumulative GPA and therefore count toward baccalaureate honors. For students completing coursework for spring and summer, baccalaureate honors are projected based on grade point average at the end of winter quarter.
The GPAs for baccalaureate honors are set each year for the following year (autumn through summer) by a committee of faculty, based on statistics for the current year.
Minimum GPA required for baccalaureate honors for Autumn 2020 - Summer 2021
|
Program |
Cum Laude | Magna Cum Laude | Summa Cum Laude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | 3.73 | 3.83 | 3.93 |
| Engineering & Technology | 3.83 | 3.91 | 3.99 |
| Healthcare Leadership | 3.83 | 3.94 | 3.99 |
| Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences / Environmental Science | 3.83 | 3.94 | 3.99 |
| Nursing | 3.96 | 3.98 | 4.00 |
| Social Welfare / Criminal Justice | 3.87 | 3.93 | 3.97 |
| Urban Studies / Sustainable Urban Development | 3.83 | 3.94 | 3.99 |
Faculty Honors
Faculty honors are awarded at graduation to undergraduate students earning their first baccalaureate degree whose GPA is in the upper 10 percent of their program and who have earned between 43 and 89 graded credits at the UW.
Minimum GPA required for faculty honors for Autumn 2020 - Summer 2021
|
Program |
Minimum GPA |
|---|---|
| Business Administration | 3.73 |
| Engineering & Technology | 3.83 |
| Healthcare Leadership | 3.83 |
| Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences / Environmental Science | 3.83 |
| Nursing | 3.96 |
| Social Welfare / Criminal Justice | 3.87 |
| Urban Studies / Sustainable Urban Development | 3.83 |
Summer 2021 graduates are recognized at the Commencement ceremony for baccalaureate or faculty honors in the program.
President's Medal
The President's Medal, which is conferred at Commencement, recognizes the graduating senior who has the most distinguished academic record. Candidates must be within the top 2% of the graduating class in their academic program and must have either graduated (in autumn or winter quarter) or submitted a graduation application to graduate (in spring or summer quarter) during the respective academic year.
Review the Eligibility and the Selection Process.
Chancellor's Medal
The Chancellor's Medal, which is conferred at Commencement, recognizes the graduating senior for their extraordinary achievement as a student at UW Tacoma. Nominees must have earned a 3.0 Cumulative grade point average or above and are earning a degree in autumn, winter, spring, or summer of the respective academic year. The award recognizes an individual who has been a consistent source of inspiration for faculty and fellow students alike, and has overcome significant obstacles in order to complete a degree.
Review the Eligibility and the Selection Process.