Honors at Commencement

Latin Honors

The Latin honors system applies only to baccalaureate degree candidates. The recognition of GPA-based honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude) is consistent with other American colleges and universities in awarding these honors to baccalaureate degree candidates only and generally represents students who are at the top of their undergraduate classes.

Because the minimum academic standing requirement of a post-bachelor student is a 3.0 GPA, master’s and doctoral degree candidates are not eligible for the undergraduate honors system but are recognized (in terms of academic regalia) through the wearing of a hood that represents each field of study.

Honor stoles are worn by baccalaureate degree candidates having met the criteria corresponding with the Latin honors system upon completion of their degree. These are gold in color, with the honor level embroidered. This stole should not be worn under the gown or under any other stole, as it represents an academic achievement for undergraduate students, superior to achievement or involvement outside of academics as it relates to the formal commencement ceremony.

Honor cords are worn in the representation of honor societies of which the graduating student is a member. National honor societies for academics and leadership have distinct cords (generally a braided cord of 1-2 colors, worn around the neck atop a stole, if applicable) that are nationally recognized and are available through the honor society or organization. (See Honor Cords & Stoles at Ceremony Information)

Read more about academic honors by visiting the academic catalog.

Honors at the Ceremony

The undergraduate Latin honors designation printed in the commencement program and announced at the ceremony is calculated based on the undergraduate student’s cumulative UWA grade point average at the end of the semester prior to the semester of graduation. All honors will be recalculated after the final grading period for the semester has closed during the weeks following commencement.

For that reason, the honor announced during the ceremony may be different from the final honor that appears on the student’s transcript and on the diploma. In some cases, the degree candidate may not actually graduate with an honor designation.

Official honors included on transcripts and diplomas include all work attempted at UWA and all other institutions, including accepted and non-accepted credit.

Honors at graduation are determined by the Registrar's Office. Students, particularly transfer students, should not self-assess honors eligibility.

Please direct questions to the Registrar's Office.

STOLES

Only academic honor stoles, hoods, cords, and medallions approved by the Commencement Committee (full list here) may be worn during the ceremony.

*The wearing of stoles from fraternities and sororities is prohibited as student cross stage to accept their diplomas. These stoles may be worn for ZAP photos prior to the ceremony and immediately following the ceremony.

How to Order Regalia

Caps, gowns, and accessories may be purchased through the online site linked below or at the UWA Bookstore at the student union building on campus.

uwa.shopoakhalli.com

Important Dates: Fall Commencement

October 4 – Grad Fair at Student Union Building (SUB)

10:00am - 2:00pm

October 30 – Final day to order cap & gown.

November 8 - Name changes for diploma and program book. Fill out the form here.

November 27 – Final day to reserve guests tickets through the online ticketing system.

Now - Dec. 4 - If you indicated you will be participating and can no longer participate, please let us know by filling out the form here.

Dec. 19 - Final Address Changes for diploma mailing should be indicated by filling out the form here .

February 2 - Diploma Ship Date

Live diplomas will not be given at the ceremony.

*All communications about commencement will be sent to your UWA email. Please check your email frequently for communications regarding the commencement ceremony.