2.2 Baccalaureate Honors

Undergraduate students may earn three different kinds of baccalaureate honors upon completion of their degree. Departmental honors (BAH, BSH) and Interdisciplinary honors (IHN) must be declared by the student prior to graduation with approval from the overseeing department. Undergraduate distinction is awarded at Spring commencement for degrees conferred that quarter, as well as the preceding four quarters.

Departmental Honors (Bachelor’s Degree with Honors)

In recognition of successful completion of special advanced work in the majordepartments may recommend their students for a bachelor’s degree with honors. Departmental honors programs demand independent creative work at an advanced level in addition to major requirements. If recommended, qualified students must declare the appropriate honors degree in Axess prior to submitting their Application to Graduate.  Declared departmental honors will reflect on the diploma and academic transcript as “Bachelor of Arts with Honors” (BAH) or “Bachelor of Science with Honors” (BSH)

Interdisciplinary Honors Programs

Students pursuing any major may be recommended for the following interdisciplinary honors programs, in recognition of successful completion of honors requirements.

• Arts opens in a new tab

• Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity opens in a new tab

• Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law opens in a new tab(CDDRL)

• Education opens in a new tab

• Ethics in Society opens in a new tab

• Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies opens in a new tab

• International Security Studies opens in a new tab (CISAC)

• Science, Technology, and Society opens in a new tab

Interdisciplinary honors programs are separate plans distinct from the undergraduate major and must be declared before applying to graduate; declaration approval is contingent upon application and acceptance into the IHN program. Students should review each program's admission policies for requirements. Interdisciplinary honors are recorded as an “IHN” plan on the student record and academic transcript, and are intended to complement study in the student’s chosen major. Courses taken to fulfill requirements of the IHN may not also be counted toward a major or minor. Some IHN programs may require preparatory coursework as part of the application process. These are not considered to be part of the IHN and are not subject to the double-counting policy. These courses must be completed prior to the student beginning the IHN program. 

Undergraduate Distinction

In recognition of high scholastic achievement, upon recommendation of the major department or program, the University awards the Bachelor's Degree with Distinction. Distinction is awarded to the top 15% of the graduating class based on cumulative grade point averages. For selection purposes, the University uses the cumulative GPA on record at the end of Winter quarter in a student's graduating year. 

Distinction is awarded at June Commencement for Spring, Winter and Autumn graduates of that academic year; eligible Summer graduates will be granted distinction in the following Spring.

Students are notified of Distinction on their diploma and official transcript after Commencement. Pre-Spring graduates who have already received their diploma will be mailed an updated diploma. Students who are granted Distinction, and have already received their diploma in a prior quarter, will be mailed an updated diploma. The Distinction notation will show on official transcripts after Spring Commencement.

Students interested in pursuing departmental honors should contact their local department or program administrator. If approved for interdisciplinary honors, the student must declare the Interdisciplinary Honors Program in Axess.