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4.1: Dean’s List
To be placed on the dean’s list for the school that offers their major or degree, students must meet these requirements:
1. Be an undergraduate degree-seeking student.
2. Complete 6 or more letter-graded credits in a semester (not counting any non-credit-bearing courses). Students who complete 6-11 credits will be noted as “part-time”.
3. Earn a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher.
A note is added to students’ transcripts indicating their status on the dean’s list. The lists are generated at the end of each semester after final grades are posted and retaken courses are processed. Lists are not recalculated based on grade changes or the removal of Incompletes.
4.2 President’s List
To be placed on the President’s list, students must meet these requirements:
1. Be an undergraduate degree-seeking student.
2. Complete 6 or more letter-graded credits in a semester (not counting any non-credit-bearing courses). Students who complete 6-11 credits will be noted as “part-time”.
3. Earn a semester GPA of 4.0.
A note is added to students’ transcripts indicating their status on the President’s list. The list is generated at the end of each semester after final grades are posted and retaken courses are processed. It is not recalculated based on grade changes or the removal of Incompletes.
4.3 Latin Honors
Undergraduates earn Latin honors or a Distinction designation when they graduate if:
1. At least half of their required degree credits are letter graded (A-F).
2. The student’s cumulative GPA, as calculated by the Office of the Registrar, places the student in the appropriate range within the school that houses their major.
3. Summa cum laude: Top 5.00% of their graduating class
4. Magna cum laude: Top 5.01% to 10.00% of their graduating class
5. Cum laude: Top 10.01% to 20.00% of their graduating class
6. Distinction: Cumulative GPA of 3.7 up to 10.0% of their graduating class.
Each fall and spring semester, the Office of the Registrar prepares a rank order of students graduating from each school; those students make up a “class” for the purposes of honors calculations. Cumulative GPAs are not rounded when calculating recognition or honors eligibility.
Students graduating with multiple majors have their Latin honors or Distinction eligibility calculated based on their first (primary) degree and receive a single designation, if eligible. Students graduating with multiple degrees have their eligibility calculated separately for each degree. Students returning for an additional degree after earning a previous baccalaureate degree are awarded Latin honors or Distinguished Scorpion status based on the same procedures outlined above.
4.4 Related Information and History
– NSHE Handbook Title 4, Chapter 16, Section 34: State College Grades & Examinations
4.4.1 Revision History
– Academic Recognition policy approved September 2008; updated 1/25/2013.
– Updated May 2022 to clarify policy applies to undergraduates.
– Revisions approved by Dr. Raul Tapia, 11/14/2025; Deans Council, 11/21/2025; Ms. Berna Rhodes-Ford, General Counsel, 12/29/2025; Interim Provost Gwen Sharp, 12/29/2025; and Acting President Amber Lopez Lasater, 1/08/2026.