Graduation Honors

Students have several opportunities to showcase their academic talents. The Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences has had a number of past students over the years who have achieved the following honors:

University Undergraduate Academic Honors

University-wide academic honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) are awarded to students who have achieved a high grade point average across the curriculum. Students' academic records must demonstrate excellence in a variety of academic disciplines, including upper-division work outside their fields of study.

Students may gain entry into the pool of candidates who will be considered for University-wide honors in one of the two following ways:

• All students whose transcripts include all of the following will automatically be included in the pool. (Note: "graded hours" excludes grades of "pass" or "credit"; cumulative grade point average includes all Webster University courses plus any transfer courses being used by the student to attain his/her 128 credit hours.)
  • A minimum of 45 graded credit hours at Webster University.
  • A minimum of 90 graded credit hours accumulated in the entire college career.
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.7.
  • A minimum of six graded courses outside of the major in addition to the general education requirements for the student's degree.
  • A minimum of two graded upper-division courses (3000 level or above) outside the student's field of study.
• Department chairs and site directors may wish to nominate exceptional students whose course of study puts them outside the parameters of the average student's curriculum vitae (e.g., Conservatory students, students from the international campuses). Chairs and directors should be guided by the general criteria of breadth and depth across disparate disciplines in addition to high grades.

Students who meet the minimum criteria listed above or who have been nominated by department chairs or site directors compose the pool of candidates to be considered for honors. The Honors Board will examine the pool and determine honors on the basis of cumulative GPA and breadth and depth across the curriculum. The Board reserves the right to use its discretion in making these evaluations.

After due deliberation the Board will award honors according to the traditional labels of cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude.

University Graduate Academic Honors

The student who completes a graduate degree (MA, MS, MSN, MBA, MHA, MFA, MM, MPA, MAT, Ed.S.), including all required, elective, prerequisite, and transfer courses, while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.950 receives Graduate Academic Honors. Accelerated sequential degrees are excluded from this designation.

Department Honors

Individual departments and colleges/schools award departmental honors for excellence in the study in depth. Criteria for selection are determined by the individual department.

In the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, full-time faculty nominate students for department honors to recognize outstanding work in the major. Students must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. The department also considers service to the department and community. Department honors are not automatic for those who receive the university's academic honors.

International Distinction

Students who successfully complete all of their requirements for their bachelor's degree and satisfy three core components of international education (second language proficiency, study abroad and an international field work/internship) will have their bachelor's degree awarded with "International Distinction." Available in most of the Schools/Colleges, interested students should consult with their academic advisor, or the director of the Center for International Education (CIE), for requirements. The "International Distinction" designation is annotated on both the student's diploma and official transcript.

Dean's List

In recognition of academic excellence, a Dean's List is compiled each academic semester. To qualify, students must complete at least 12 credit hours at Webster University, of which no fewer than 6 credit hours must have regular letter grades, and have earned no Incomplete grades for that semester. The following criteria are used to determine the awards:

• Freshmen, sophomores and juniors who have completed 12-63 credit hours and who are in the top 10% of their class as defined by the current semester's GPA;
• Juniors and seniors who have completed 64 or more credit hours, who are in the top 10% of their class as defined by the current semester's GPA, and who have taken at least one 3000- or 4000-level course not in their major or related areas as defined by the University.

Copyright © 2008 Webster University