Undergraduate Student Honors/Honor Cords
What are the requirements to receive honors designations?
To graduate with an honor distinction an undergraduate student must have earned a minimum of 30 semester hours at Illinois State University as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.65 or higher after the last completed semester as grades and hours for the current semester will not be posted at the time of commencement. Only Illinois State University course work is included in the computation of the GPA.
| Cumulative GPA | Honor Distinction |
|---|---|
| 3.90 - 4.00 | Summa Cum Laude, Gold Cord |
| 3.80 - 3.89 | Magna Cum Laude, Lavender Cord |
| 3.65 - 3.79 | Cum Laude, White Cord |
Undergraduate students who have earned 30 semester hours at Illinois State University and a qualifying GPA both based on the last graded semester prior to commencement are recognized with the respective honor distinction at commencement.
Once grades for the current semester are posted cumulative hours and cumulative GPA are recalculated and final honor distinction determined. The final honor distinction will be permanently noted on the student's diploma and transcript as noted below:
Degree Honors include Major (Department) Honors and Latin (Laude) Honors. These Degree Honors will display on a transcript along with the degree earned. They will also print on the diploma.
Term Honors include Presidential Scholar, Honors Program Scholar, and Bone Scholar. Term Honors will print after the appropriate term on the transcript.
Where do I get my honor cord?
If you have earned the honors designation, your cords will be sent to your home address by the Office of the University Registrar.
Honor cords are also available for undergraduate students in the Honors Program who complete at least three semesters and nine Honors credit hours in the program and who graduate in good standing. Presidential Scholars who meet these requirements and who complete the Presidential Scholars Program also receive a cord. Honors students who meet these requirements will be mailed their cords prior to Redbird Stage Crossing dates.