A student must have completed at least 50 semester hours at Illinois State University to be eligible for a degree with distinction. Eligible students may graduate with traditional Latin-named degrees with distinction:
cum laude
GPA of 3.65 through 3.79
magna cum laude
GPA of 3.80 through 3.89
Students’ ability to be recognized at commencement ceremonies is based on the cumulative GPA calculated during the semester prior to graduation. Transcript notations of graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude are based on the total GPA, including the final semester prior to graduation.
Students who qualify for degrees with distinction wear a neck cord as part of their academic gown at Commencement, their names appear in the Commencement program as being awarded degrees with distinction, and they are acknowledged at graduation.
