Dean's List
At the end of each semester, in recognition of exceptional scholarship, the College compiles a list of those students whose work has been particularly worthy of commendation. Students will be recognized on the Dean's List if they complete a minimum of 14 units of quality-graded coursework while achieving a grade point average of 3.6 or higher for the semester. No grades of Incomplete (I) or N grading notations may be outstanding as part of the semester record. All work must be completed and grades posted by the first day of the following semester in order to be considered for Dean's List. For spring semester courses, all work must be completed by the beginning of Summer Session II (typically mid-June).
College Honors
Upon assessment by the College Office, the BA with College Honors will be awarded to any student who achieves College-wide academic excellence as measured by a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or better through their degree completion and who does not receive Latin Honors.
Latin Honors
Latin Honors are awarded by the College to students who are receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts & Sciences. To be eligible, students must have maintained a 3.65 or better GPA throughout their education at Washington University and must be accepted for candidacy by their major department or program. Students may pursue Latin Honors in either their first or their second major; however, Latin Honors are not available through an Arts & Sciences minor. Latin Honors candidates must enroll in such courses as their department or program may require, satisfactorily complete a significant project appropriate to the nature of the discipline, and pass such written and/or oral examinations as the department or program may set.
Upon certification by the department that the Honors program has been satisfactorily completed, the student may be awarded the BA cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude according to the following proportions:
- The top 15% in overall GPA of the full cohort of Latin Honors candidates who complete the necessary requirements of their major departments will graduate summa cum laude.
- The next 35% will graduate magna cum laude.
- The next 50% will graduate cum laude.
To be eligible for Latin Honors, transfer students must have earned a minimum of 48 letter-graded Washington University units. Grades earned at other institutions do not figure in the calculation of minimum grade point averages required for eligibility for Latin Honors.
Phi Beta Kappa
For more than 200 years, election to Phi Beta Kappa has been a distinctive recognition of intellectual accomplishment in the liberal arts and sciences. The Washington University chapter, Beta of Missouri (established in 1913), strives to enhance worthy intellectual endeavors and to recognize individual achievement.
Candidates for Phi Beta Kappa should have demonstrated both superior scholarship and breadth and depth of interest in the liberal arts. Study of a foreign language and of mathematics, while not required, strongly enhances candidacy. Extensive study in pre-professional fields detracts from candidacy.
Students do not apply for Phi Beta Kappa; rather, each year, the Washington University chapter elects students into membership from the College of Arts & Sciences. The chapter also gives the annual Burton M. Wheeler Sophomore Book Award for distinguished achievement during the first three semesters. Selection committees are composed of Washington University faculty who are members of Phi Beta Kappa.
Departmental Prizes and Awards
Several departments recognize the superior achievement of graduating seniors with election to the honor societies of their major fields. These honor societies include Sigma Gamma Epsilon for earth, environmental, and planetary sciences students; Omicron Delta Epsilon for economics students; Delta Phi Alpha for German students; Phi Alpha Theta for history students; Sigma Iota Rho for international and area studies students; Pi Mu Epsilon for mathematics students; Mu Phi Epsilon for music students; Pi Sigma Alpha for political science students; and Psi Chi for psychological & brain sciences students.
Departments may recognize work a student has accomplished within the major by awarding the major with highest distinction, high distinction, or distinction.
Individual departments may recognize students whose accomplishments have been exceptionally noteworthy. Students should consult their departments for details.