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REGULATION TITLE: Academic and Graduation Honors

APPLIES TO: Undergraduate Students

ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY: Office of the Registrar Office of the Provost and Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Division of Academic & Student Affairs

APPROVED BY: Kentucky State University Board of Regents

EFFECTIVE DATE:

August 8, 2025

NEXT REVIEW DATE: August 8, 2028

REGULATION STATEMENT:

Kentucky State University (KSU) encourages high standards of academic excellence and formally acknowledges outstanding student achievement. This regulation outlines the criteria for semester-based honors (Dean's List and Academic Honor Roll) and for honors awarded upon graduation (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, Valedictorian, and Salutatorian).

DEFINITIONS:

Academic Honor Roll

An academic honor awarded to part-time students who achieve a high GPA in a given semester.

Cum Laude

An honor awarded upon graduation signifying "with praise."

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Dean's List

An academic honor awarded to full-time students who achieve a high GPA in a given semester.

Graduation Honors

Honors awarded at the time of graduation based on a student's final cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).

Magna Cum Laude

An honor awarded upon graduation signifying "with great praise."

Salutatorian

The baccalaureate degree candidate with the second-highest academic standing in the graduating class.

Summa Cum Laude

An honor awarded upon graduation signifying "with highest praise."

Valedictorian

The baccalaureate degree candidate with the highest academic standing in the graduating class.

PROCESS:

Semester Honors

Dean's List: To be included on the Dean's List for a semester, a student must meet the following criteria:

Earn 12 or more semester credit hours for which quality points are awarded.

Achieve a grade point average of 3.2 or better for that semester.

Academic Honor Roll: To be included on the Academic Honor Roll for a semester, a student must meet the following criteria:

Be enrolled in 6 to 11 semester credit hours for which quality points are awarded.

Achieve a grade point average of 3.2 or better for that semester.

Graduation Honors

Graduation honors are awarded to graduating baccalaureate degree students based on their final cumulative GPA as calculated from all coursework attempted at KSU.

Summa Cum Laude: To graduate Summa Cum Laude, a student must have a final cumulative GPA of 3.80 or higher.

Magna Cum Laude: To graduate Magna Cum Laude, a student must have a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.60 but less than 3.80.

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Cum Laude: To graduate Cum Laude, a student must have a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.40 but less than 3.60.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian Selection

Selection: The Valedictorian and Salutatorian are the students with the highest and second-highest cumulative GPA, respectively, in the baccalaureate graduating class.

Tie-Breaker: In the event of a tie for the highest or second-highest cumulative GPA (e.g., multiple students with a 4.0 GPA), the final selection will be based on the following criteria, applied in sequential order until a distinction is made:

1st Criterion: The total number of credit hours earned with a grade of “A.”

2nd Criterion: The total number of credit hours earned at KSU.

3rd Criterion: The total number of leadership positions in extracurricular organizations.

4th Criterion: An essay contest decided by a vote by a committee composed of KSU's Deans.

REFERENCES AND RELATED MATERIALS:

Grade System Policy

CONTACTS:

Subject	Office	Telephone	E-mail
General Questions	Office of the Provost	(502) 597-6946	Michael.Dailey@kysu.edu
Regulation Questions	Office of the Registrar	(502) 597-6234	Yolanda.Benson@kysu.edu

HISTORY:

Revision Type	Date of Issuance/Revision	Drafter(s)/Editor(s)
Issued (New Regulation)	June 2025	Zach Atwell

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