Steps to Graduation

Honors

Judy Genshaft Honors College medallion lying on a table

To be considered for honors at graduation, a baccalaureate candidate must have completed at least 40 credits of graded upper level work at USF and have earned a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher for all graded coursework attempted at USF. For those students in programs requiring multiple clinical experiences (such as Nursing and Education), a baccalaureate candidate must have completed at least 30 hours of graded upper level coursework and have earned a GPA of 3.50 or higher for all graded coursework attempted at USF. In addition, to be eligible for honors, transfer students and USF students who have postsecondary work elsewhere must have an overall GPA of 3.50 or higher counting all USF courses, as well as, all transferable work attempted at other institutions. The forgiveness policy at USF or other institutions and plus/minus grades awarded at other institutions are not applicable in computing the GPA for honors. In addition, students with a record of academic dishonesty appearing on any transcripts may graduate from a degree program after meeting all degree requirements, but will not be eligible for honors at graduation, including the honor of graduating from the Honors College or a departmental honors program.

  • Candidates with a USF GPA of 3.50 or higher and an overall GPA of 3.50 but below 3.70 shall receive a diploma designation of cum laude (with honor).
  • Candidates with a USF GPA of 3.50 or higher and an overall GPA of 3.70 but below 3.90 shall receive a diploma designation of magna cum laude (with high honor).
  • Candidates with a USF GPA of 3.50 or higher and an overall GPA of 3.90 or above shall receive a diploma designation of summa cum laude (with highest honor).

The GPA is not rounded up when determining honors at graduation (e.g., 3.69 is not the same as 3.70). 

Undergraduate candidates with an overall GPA of 4.00 are recognized at the commencement ceremony as King O’Neal Scholars. They will be recognized during the ceremony and presented with a certificate and medallion from the Alumni Association.

For purposes of honors recognition at the Commencement ceremony, students must have a 3.50 GPA before the term in which they plan to graduate to have honors recognized publicly at the Commencement ceremony.

Undergraduate students may purchase an honors medallion (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Cum Laude) if their name is on the official graduating with honors list from the Registrar’s Office. Medallions are available at all three campus bookstores two weeks prior to Commencement. Only undergraduate students wear honors medallions; master’s candidates do not qualify for honors and may not wear items earned as an undergraduate student. 

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE

Students completing the curricular and co-curricular requirements in the Judy Genshaft Honors College will receive an honors medallion and their achievement will be noted on their transcript. This recognition is separate from the Registrar’s Office honors graduation distinction, which is based solely on GPA. Judy Genshaft Honors College graduates will also be recognized in a unique ceremony hosted by the college on each of its three home campuses. Honors College eligibility questions should be directed to honors-records@usf.edu.

Learn more about the Judy Genshaft Honors College graduation commencement ceremony.