Honors Requirements

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. Honors are notated on the transcript following completion of all coursework and at the time of degree conferral.

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.

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 cumulative GPA required for baccalaureate honors for Autumn 2024 - Summer 2025

Additionally:

• Students must also earn 90 matriculated credits in residence at the UW and at last 60 credits must be numerically graded.
• Summa Cum Laude is the top 0.5%
• Magna Cum Laude is the next 3%
• Cum Laude is the next 6.5

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. Honors are notated on the transcript following completion of all coursework and at the time of degree conferral.

Minimum cumulative GPA required for faculty honors for Autumn 2024 - Summer 2025

See the Institute for Innovation and Global Engagement website for additional honor program opportunities.

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.

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.

For students anticipated to graduate spring and summer, honors are projected based on the credits earned and the cumulative grade point average at the end of winter quarter and used for Commencement related activities.  Honors are officially earned and appear on the student’s final record following completion of all coursework and at the time of degree conferral. Students earning academic honors will be eligible to purchase honor cords (baccalaureate-gold, faculty-purple) during Commencement registration and souvenir purchase.