Degree Honors

Degree Honors

HONORS AT GRADUATION

Honors are based upon the Honors Point Average (HPA). The HPA is based only on credits earned within the University, including all repeated and failed courses. 

As the graduation ceremony program is printed prior to final grades being posted to the students’ records, Honors printed in the ceremony program is an estimation only and does not necessarily reflect the final Honors notation that will appear on the student's transcript and diploma. Honors will be listed in the ceremony program and Honors sashes will be distributed for the ceremony based upon the HPA earned as of the most recently completed semester. For example, Honors listed in the Fall ceremony program will be based on the HPA earned at the end of the preceding Summer semester. Students must participate in the graduation ceremony to receive an Honors sash.

Honors, as defined below, is based upon all completed courses and grades. Final graduation status, including the awarding of degrees and Honors, is determined and certified by the University Registrar's Office as posted to the official academic transcript, approximately 60 days after the end of the term. 

Honors are awarded based upon the following criteria:

Students completing an Associate degree may graduate with the designation “With Honors” by:

  • completed at least 24 credit hours of coursework at HPU
  • obtain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.4
  • obtain a minimum Honors point average (HPA) of 3.4

Undergraduate students in a Baccalaureate degree program may graduate with “Latin Honors” by:

  • completed at least 45 credit hours of coursework at HPU
  • obtain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.4
  • obtain a minimum Honors point average (HPA) of 3.4

The corresponding Honors designation for the Baccalaureate degrees are as follows:

  • 3.4 – 3.69  Cum Laude

  • 3.7 – 3.89  Magna Cum Laude

  • 3.9 – 4.00  Summa Cum Laude

Master's degree students with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.8 are considered for the award of “With Distinction” by:

  • completed at least 15 credits at HPU in their graduate program, or 27 credit in the MATESOL program
  • obtain a minimum cumulative and Honors point average (HPA) of 3.8

Have questions about honors designations?  Contact the Registrar’s Office:

  • In-Person:  500 Ala Moana Blvd, Ste 5A, Honolulu, HI 96813, business hours (8:00am-5:00pm HST)
  • By Phone:  808-544-0239
  • By Email:   ptg@hpu.edu.

 

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