Graduation with honors will be based on a student’s Total Institutional GPA. Honors designators are determined at the time of graduation and may not be applied retroactively.

To graduate with such honors, a student must have earned at least 60 credit hours applicable toward the degree in residence at University of South Carolina, 30 credit hours for an associate degree.

Levels of Honor

The following designations indicate a consistently high level of academic achievement at USC:

Baccalaureate Degree Designations

Summa Cum Laude: a cumulative GPA of 3.95-4.00
Magna Cum Laude: a cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.949
Cum Laude: a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.749

Associate Degree Designations

Highest Honors: a cumulative GPA of 3.95-4.00
High Honors: a cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.949
Honors: a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.749

With Honors from South Carolina Honors College

Any student who completes the requirements of the Honors College, regardless of the major or undergraduate degree, is awarded that degree “With Honors from South Carolina Honors College.”  

With Distinction

Any student who earns an undergraduate degree and completes the appropriate requirements will be awarded graduation “With Distinction in [that major].” For details, refer to the degree requirements of specific majors in the Undergraduate Academic Bulletin.