Dean's List

Quarterly Dean's List

The Quarterly Dean's List includes the names of matriculated undergraduate students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree and have attained a quarterly GPA of 3.50 in the final grades for at least 12 graded credits. Appropriate entries regarding inclusion on the Dean's List are made on the student's permanent academic record.

Annual Dean's List

The Annual Dean's List high-scholarship award is recorded on the academic transcript of matriculated undergraduate students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree and have achieved a quarterly GPA of 3.50 in 12 or more numerically graded credits each quarter for three quarters of the academic year (summer through spring).

Students enrolled for four quarters of the academic year (summer through spring) must satisfy the conditions outlined above and attain a quarterly GPA of 3.50 or better in the fourth quarter, if enrolled for 10 or more credits.

Students who are on the annual Dean's List receive a certificate.

Baccalaureate Honors

Baccalaureate honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) are awarded only to recipients of a first baccalaureate degree. These honors are earned by those students who have completed no fewer than 90 residence credits at this institution. At least 60 of the 90 credits must have been acquired on a graded basis.

The University's Honors Committee determines annually the grade-point requirement for each baccalaureate honor at each campus, (Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma). In recent years, approximately ten percent of the students have been awarded baccalaureate honors. Distance Learning courses (those that include a DL prefix) are included in the UW cumulative GPA and therefore count toward baccalaureate honors.

Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and President's Medals

The Freshman Medal is awarded to the sophomore having the highest scholastic standing for the first year of his or her course. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 36 graded credits in residence at the University.

The Sophomore Medal is awarded to the junior having the highest scholastic standing for the first two years of his or her course. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 40 credits in residence at the University.

The Junior Medal is awarded to the senior having the highest scholastic standing for the first three years of his or her course. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 40 credits in residence at the University.

The President's Medal, which is conferred at commencement, recognizes the graduating senior who has the most distinguished academic record. Only students who have earned at least 90 credits in residence at the University may be considered.

Honorary Societies

In addition to the honors discussed above, students with distinguished academic records may participate in several University-wide honorary societies, described below, and specific college or school honorary societies. Information concerning specific college or school honorary societies appears in the respective sections of this catalog.

Golden Key National Honor Society. A national, nonprofit academic honors organization founded in 1977 for the purpose of recognizing and encouraging scholastic achievement among students from all academic fields. Membership is by invitation only.

Mortar Board. A national college senior honor society whose membership is based on scholarship, leadership, and service. The local Tolo chapter was founded in 1909 and became part of the national organization in 1925. Students of junior standing apply winter quarter for selection in spring quarter.

Phi Beta Kappa. A national collegiate honorary society, founded in 1776, with the Washington Alpha Chapter established in 1914. Phi Beta Kappa recognizes distinguished scholarship, especially in the acquisition of an education in the liberal arts and sciences. Students are elected to membership on the basis of GPA and breadth of education.

Additional information on honorary societies may be obtained from academic advisers and the respective campus representatives.

Policy reference for information on this page may be found in the University Handbook in the following sections: Vol. 4, Part 3, Chap. 11, and Vol. 4, Part 3, Chap. 9, Section 3