5.5.2 GRADUATION AND COMMENCEMENT HONORS
5.5.2.1 AUTHORITY
The board of trustees may grant degrees to graduates of the university, prescribe conditions upon which postgraduate honors may be obtained, and confer such honorary degrees, upon the recommendation of the faculty of the university, as it thinks proper (pursuant to KRS 164.240). Such honors conferred to students upon their graduation are referred to as “degree honors,” while such awards to others are referred to as “Honorary Degrees”.
5.5.2.2 CONDITIONS OF MERIT AND CIRCUMSTANCE FOR DEGREE HONORS
5.5.2.2.1 UNDERGRADUATE “UNIVERSITY HONORS”
Students shall be graduated "Summa Cum Laude" who attain a GPA of 3.8 or higher for at least three (3) years of work at the University of Kentucky (excepting correspondence study).
Students shall be graduated "Magna Cum Laude" who attain a GPA of 3.6 or higher for at least three (3) years of work at the University of Kentucky (excepting correspondence study).
Students shall be graduated "Cum Laude" who attain a GPA of 3.4 to 3.6 for at least three (3) years of work at the University of Kentucky (excepting correspondence study).
Students with a minimum of two (2) but less than three (3) years of work at the University shall receive the appropriate commencement honors if they attain a GPA of 0.2 greater than the above. The transcript shall show these credentials as “University Honors.”
* Courses taken under Study Abroad and National Exchange Student programs (and for which students pay their tuition to the University of Kentucky) are considered as courses taken at UK for purposes of both the residency requirement and for graduates to be conferred commencement honors at the time of award of their degrees.
* A student who has invoked the academic bankruptcy rule during their University career shall be considered, for the purposes of commencement honors, as having attended the University only for those hours earned subsequent to readmission.
* A student need not be enrolled full-time to fulfill the years of work necessary to receive commencement honors. Two (2) years of work means 60 credit hours; three (3) years means 90 credits.
* Under this rule, the cumulative GPA is used to test for qualification for graduation honors. The minimum number of credit hours that must be included in that GPA calculation (i.e. quality hours) is 90 hours.
* A student does not have to be a full-time student to be eligible for qualifying for graduation honors.
5.5.2.2.2 HONORS RELATED TO UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES AND PROFESSIONAL DEGREES
5.5.2.2.2.1 GENERAL POLICIES
The bachelor's degree with honors in a student's major (also known as “departmental honors”) or a degree with honors from a professional college will be conferred upon a student whom the faculty of the student's department, or college in the case of a professional college, and the dean of the student's college recommend receive the degree. A student may be required to complete work in addition to that required for the bachelor's or professional degree to receive a degree with honors.
For bachelor’s degrees, the transcript will show the honor(s) as being associated with the respective program major at the department level. For professional degrees, the transcript will show the honor(s) as being associated with the respective program at the college level.
THE DEGREE WITH HONORS FROM A PROFESSIONAL COLLEGE SHALL BE BASED SOLELY UPON WORK DONE IN THE PROFESSIONAL COLLEGE.
5.5.2.2.2.2 DEGREE HONORS IN THE JD PROGRAM (J. DAVID ROSENBERG COLLEGE OF LAW)
The J. David Rosenberg College of Law awards Latin Honors as follows:
Students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher will be graduated “Summa Cum Laude.”
Students with a GPA of 3.6 or higher will be graduated “Magna Cum Laude.”
Students with a GPA of 3.4 or higher will be graduated “Cum Laude.”
Latin Honors will be awarded regardless of the number of graded credit hours (i.e. quality hours) earned by the student.
5.5.2.2.2.3 DEGREE HONORS IN THE PHARMD PROGRAM (COLLEGE OF PHARMACY)
The College of Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy program, awards Latin Honors as follows:
Students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher will be graduated “Summa Cum Laude.”
Students with a GPA of 3.6 or higher will be graduated “Magna Cum Laude.”
Students with a GPA of 3.4 or higher will be graduated “Cum Laude.”
Latin honors will be awarded regardless of the number of graded credit hours (i.e., quality hours) earned by the student.
5.5.2.2.2.4 DEGREE HONORS IN THE DMD PROGRAM (COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY)
For the College of Dentistry, graduation honors are "With High Distinction" and "With Distinction." Students are chosen according to their class rank when they apply for a May degree. The top 12% of the class receives "With High Distinction;" the next 8% receives "With Distinction."
5.5.2.2.2.5 LEWIS HONORS COLLEGE
The bachelor’s degree with University Honors will be conferred by the Lewis Honors College. After a student has completed all of the requirements for graduation, the bachelor’s degree with University Honors in a student’s major or minor will be conferred upon the successful completion of the Lewis Honors College curriculum, in conjunction with departmental approval of the student’s thesis. College approval is required when the major or minor is not from a department but from a college.
5.5.2.3 CONDITION OF CIRCUMSTANCES FOR HONORARY DEGREES
*The process for awarding Honorary Degrees is on hold until the establishment of the Faculty Senate. As such, no Honorary Degrees will be awarded during Fall 2024 Commencement.
5.5.2.3.1 TITLES OF HONORARY DEGREES
The titles and definitions for Honorary Degrees are:
Honorary Doctor of Arts
To recognize extraordinary accomplishments in the creative arts, fine arts, performing arts or related fields.
Honorary Doctor of Laws
To recognize extraordinary accomplishments in law, politics, governance, diplomacy or related fields.
Honorary Doctor of Science
To recognize extraordinary accomplishments in scientific fields.
Honorary Doctor of Engineering
To recognize extraordinary accomplishments in engineering, design, technology or related fields.
Honorary Doctor of Humanities
To recognize extraordinary accomplishments in the humanities.
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
To recognize extraordinary contributions to philanthropy, human development, education or societal well-being.