Office of the Registrar  

Graduation With Honors

Honors for Undergraduates

Humboldt State University awards honors to undergraduate students at the time of graduation, based on the following criteria:

  • Completion of 30 units in letter-graded course work in residence at Humboldt State University
  • A minimum GPA of 3.50 on all work taken at Humboldt State University
  • Overall minimum GPA of 3.50 on all work attempted

The overall grade-point average (including both transfer and Humboldt State University course work) determines which honors the student receives at graduation:

SUMMA CUM LAUDE (highest honors) 3.85 to 4.00
MAGNA CUM LAUDE (high honors) 3.70 to 3.84
CUM LAUDE (honors) 3.50 to 3.69

Honors for Second-Baccalaureate Degree Candidates

When computing grade-point averages for honors purposes, all undergraduate units from HSU and transfer colleges will be considered, plus the HSU post baccalaureate units.

Note: Master’s degree candidates are not awarded honors. See Graduation with Distinction.

Graduation with Distinction

Master’s degree candidates are not awarded honors. Master’s candidates nominated for the Patricia O. McConkey Award for the Outstanding Thesis/Project will graduate with distinction. Students who participate in commencement, but who have not completed their culminating experience requirement may be nominated for the award the following semester.