All potential graduates should understand the process for determining eligibility for graduation with Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude) are not awarded solely on grades. "In order to be considered for any category of graduation with honors, students must fulfill all institutional requirements described in the VWC catalog under which they are to graduate." (VWC Catalog)
Each of the following requirements must be satisfied to graduate with Latin honors:
| Semester hours completed at VWC | 60 |
|---|---|
| Degree hours completed | 120 |
| *Minimum GPA in major courses (including transfer courses) | 3.00 |
| *Minimum cumulative GPA (including transfer courses) | 3.40 |
| Two traditionally-graded courses (3 or more semester hours each) at the 300-400 level from two different divisions | 6 semester hours |
| cum laude | minimum 3.40 cumulative GPA |
| magna cum laude |
|
| summa cum laude |
|
*Transferred grades cannot increase the VWC GPA.
Interdisciplinary studies (INST) courses do not satisfy the requirement for social sciences, humanities, or natural sciences.
To qualify for any honors category, students with transfer credit must satisfy the quality point average requirements both in the set of all courses counted toward graduation and in the set of courses taken at VWC.
An explanation of the Two-Course Rule for potential August graduates can be found in the catalog under "Two-Course Rule." The honors status for students who are August candidates for graduation will be determined after all summer course work is completed.
Additional details for graduating with honors can be found in the current catalog under "Graduating with Honors."
Students who plan to graduate should submit their Application for Degree through MARSIS by September 15 preceding their expected graduation in December, May or August.