Honors & Graduation

Honors and graduation with honors can hold a variety of meanings at the University of Louisville. To provide students with a clearer understanding of what Honors can mean, we have provided some helpful definitions below.

Graduation With College Honors

At the University of Louisville, requirements for graduation with academic honors are determined by each academic unit or school. Students who meet these requirements may graduate with the distinction of summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude, sometimes referred to as graduation with:  highest honors, high honors, or honors.  Some academic units require students to complete a thesis or college honors project in order to achieve highest honors at graduation. The Honors Program works closely with those students who intend to graduate summa cum laude from the College of Arts and Sciences, guiding them through the Senior Honors Thesis process. In addition to appearing on your official transcript, college honors will be noted on your diploma.

Graduation as an Honors Scholar

The University Honors Scholars Program is housed in the University Honors Program. Students who complete the necessary coursework with the required GPA will earn the designation of University Honors Scholar on both their transcript and diploma. Students who earn this distinction are awarded a medal and recognized at an Awards Ceremony prior to university commencement. The University Honors Scholars Program is open to students, from any academic unit, participating in the University Honors Program. Read more about the Honors Scholars Program »

Completing University Honors Program Requirements

All Honors coursework is noted on a student's University of Louisville transcript, and students who complete the minimum requirements for the University Honors Program will have that designation noted on their transcript. After graduation and a final review of a student's academic record, the Honors Program will mark this designation at the end of a transcript with the notation:  "Honors Program, Milestone Status: Completed." Students who earn the distinction of University Honors Scholar also graduate with the Honors Program designation.

Graduating With Departmental Honors

At the University of Louisville, a variety of departments offer the opportunity for majors to graduate with Departmental Honors. The requirements for earning departmental honors vary by department. To determine if it is possible to graduate from your major department with departmental honors, please consult your faculty advisor or the departmental home page for your major.

Honors Convocation

The University Honors Program typically holds its Convocation ceremony the Friday before the University's Commencement ceremony on Saturday. This year, Honors Convocation will fall on the morning of May 12th, 2023. More details to come as the date approaches.