Graduation Honors Policy

Timing of GPA Calculation:

• For May commencements: End of Fall term GPA will be used for the Commencement Program. 
• For December commencements: End of Summer term GPA will be used for the Commencement Program. 
• Honors will be recalculated after all requirements are met and will appear on the final transcript.   

Honors Cords and Societies:

• Approved academic societies may award cords for the commencement ceremony. These are listed in the graduation program. 
• Graduates requesting to wear cords from societies not on the approved list must submit requests to the Registrar by March 31 (spring) or October 31 (fall).

Undergraduate Level Honors 

• Bachelor’s Degrees (60 Bethel Credits):
  • Summa Cum Laude: 3.90 cumulative GPA
  • Magna Cum Laude: 3.75 cumulative GPA
  • Cum Laude: 3.60 cumulative GPA
• Bachelor’s Degrees for Students with Fewer than 60 Credits Taken at Bethel University:
  • With Distinction: 3.90 cumulative GPA

Graduate Level Honors

For graduate students in programs where no GPA-based honors apply, the hood will be considered the primary honor.  

• For master’s-level programs at Bethel Seminary, the following graduation honors levels apply:
  • Summa Cum Laude: 3.90 cumulative GPA
  • Magna Cum Laude: 3.75 cumulative GPA
  • Cum Laude: 3.60 cumulative GPA

Semester’s Honors Policy

Dean’s List Honors:

• Undergraduate students who complete at least 12 credits in a semester with a GPA of 3.60 or higher will receive Dean's List recognition.
  • Dean’s List status is final 14 days after the final grade deadline.