Honors Eligibility

Graduates who have questions regarding honors eiligibility should contact their advisor or organization sponsor directly.

 

Undergraduate Honors

Departmental Honors
Departmental honors are honors received by graduates from their specific schools, colleges or departments. Not all departments offer departmental honors.  Those graduates who think they qualify for these honors should check with their department regarding requirements and awards.


University Honors
Prospective graduates eligible for University Honors are those who have successfully completed the requirements of the University Honors Program and have been awarded honors by the Honors Council. For more information, please contact the University Honors Program at 277-4211.


Baccalaureate Honors
Baccalaurate degree recipients who have a minimum scholarship index of 3.5 and have earned a minimum of 60 hours in residence are awarded Baccalaurate Honors. The designations are as provided below.

Designation GPA Range
Cum laude 3.50 to 3.74
Magna cum laude 3.75 to 3.89
Summa cum laude 3.90 and above

For further information, please see the School/Departmental Honors and Awards section.


Graduate Honors

Distinction
A distinction is awarded only if the student passes the master's/doctoral exam with distinction. It will appear on the transcripts but not on the diploma. Students are allowed to wear honor cords for their department.

For more information, please visit http://www.unm.edu/grad/honors/honors.html


Honor Cords

  • A two-color cherry and silver honor cord has been designated by the University for:

  • Departmental Honors
  • University Honors
  • Baccalaureate Honors
  • Lena Clauve Outstanding Senior award
  • Marshall's scholars
  • Phi Kappa Phi (spring only)
  • Phi Beta Kappa (spring only)
  • Presidential Scholars
  • Regent Scholars
  • Ronald E. McNair Scholars
  • Truman Scholars
  • Master's and doctoral degree candidates graduating with distinction

The cherry and silver cords may be purchased at the UNM Bookstore.

 Honor cords are draped over the neck as shown in this picture.

Honor cords are draped over the neck as shown in this picture.

  • A single-color silver cord has been designated for University Honors Program graduates and some honor societies. These organizations may either give or sell the silver cords to be worn at commencement. Please check with your organization sponsor regarding this matter.

  • Golden Key International Honour Society honor regaliaare available for purchase through Golden Key Officers. Please contact the organization by email (goldkey@unm.edu) for more details.

  • A two-color white and gold honor cord has been designated for graduates from the Mortar Board Honor Society. These cords may be purchased from the Student Activities Center (SUB Rm 1018).

  • A two-color red and black honor cord has been designated for graduates who are members of the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society. Please contact the Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter at UNM for further information (Humanities Bldg, Office# 268).

School/Departmental Honors and Awards

American Studies Rebecca Schreiber Students seeking departmental honors should apply to the department undergraduate advisor in their junior year. In addition to maintaining an overall GPA of 3.2, honors candidates must also successfully complete three credit hours of Senior Honors Thesis (499) and the American Studies Senior Seminar in U.S. culture (485) in their senior year.
Anderson School of Management Mary Cromer No departmental honors are awarded.
Anthropology Yolanda Nieto Honors student must complete 6 credit hours beyond degree major requirements and must also write a paper or project based on their research, which is graded by their mentor who recommends the level of honors they should receive. Cherry and silver cords are awarded to honors designees.
Architecture and Planning Lisa Stewart Tau Sigma Delta is a national honor society that recognizes the scholastic achievement of upperclass undergraduate and graduate students in professional degree granting programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Community and Regional Planning. To be eligible for consideration, students must be in the top 20% of their class. Students are nominated by their academic program director. Graduating students in the society have the option of purchasing a white satin stole with the Tau Sigma Delta emblem to wear at the ceremonies.
Biochemistry William Anderson Honors students are required to do original research on a topic related to biochemistry or molecular biology, present their findings, and submit a senior honors paper. The level is determined by quality and originality, and certificates are awarded accordingly.
Biology Maria Ruby Eligibility requirements for the Biology Honors Program can be found at http://biology.unm.edu/undergrad/honors.html#eligibility. Certificates of completion are given at the convocation ceremony.
BUS Program Mariah Harrison No departmental honors are awarded.
Chemistry Karen McElveny Students can apply in their junior year if they have either an overall GPA of 3.20 or above, or a GPA of 3.50 or above in Chemistry. They also have to write a senior honors thesis. No cords are given.
Communication and Journalism Mary Bibeau Student must have a GPA of at least 3.50 and complete 6 credit hours in coursework. A paper or project must be defended before three faculty members. Honors designees can purchase honor cords from the UNM Bookstore.
Dental Programs Gloria Lopez No departmental honors offered.
Earth and Planetary Sciences Cindy Jaramillo Please contact the department directly.
Economics Angela Torrez Honors are awarded to students who have an overall GPA of 3.20 or above, and no fewer than 7 credit hours in departmental honors classes. Certificates are awarded.
Education, College of Ann Armendariz Please contact the college directly.
Engineering, School of April Davidson

The departments of Electrical and Computer engineering., Computer Science, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering have honors programs (apply/accept). No cords are given.

Chi Epsilon National Honor Society (Civil Engineering) students can purchase stoles or collars. Pi Tau Sigma (mechanical engineering) are given burgundy/grey cords.
English Carolyn Woodward

Students must satisfy the following criteria to receive baccalaureate honors:

  • have a GPA of 3.5 in English courses and an overall GPA of 3.2
  • obtain a letter of recommendation from a faculty member
  • complete an honors seminar, and
  • successfully complete an honors thesis.
Fine Arts, College of Deanna Sanchez-Mulcahy

Students must apply and work with the faculty advisor in their department regarding specific eligibility and completion requirements. Honor cords can be worn. Colors are as follows:

  • Brown: For Art and art history, media arts, and theatre and dance.
  • Pink: For Music.
Foreign Languages and Literatures Jean Aragon Students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 and a GPA of 3.5 in courses in their major. They must sign up to participate in the honors program through a professor, and they are required to write an honors paper.
Geography Jazmin Knight Students aspiring to graduate with honors in geography must announce their intention to the Honors Program Advisor and select a faculty advisor before the end of the junior year. Candidates must have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 throughout their major course of studies. The Honors Program requires 3 credit hours of GEOG 491 (Problems in Geography) in the fall semester, followed by 3 credit hours of GEOG 492 in the spring semester. The objective of these 6 credit hours is for the candidate to develop a senior thesis by the 12th week of the spring term reviewable by their faculty advisor and a second faculty member, who together will determine if the quality of the effort is sufficient for honors. For honors candidates, GEOG 491 and GEOG 492 will replace GEOG 470 and GEOG 471. If students enter senior status at mid-year, they may register for GEOG 492 followed by GEOG 491.
History Yolanda Martinez Student must be a history major and have an overall GPA of 3.00 or better. Honors candidates must submit an application and obtain the approval of an advisor. Candidates must complete four lower division courses and eight upper division courses. Thesis will be graded by the advisor and a second reader.
Latin American Studies Amanda Wolfe Students must submit a written request to the director. Once approved, the student must take LTAM 497 and LTAM 499 and successfully defend a thesis. Students will receive a certificate of recognition at the Latin American Studies convocation ceremony.
Law, School of Peggy Lovato No departmental honors are awarded.
Linguistics Nancy Montoya No departmental honors or awards are given.
Mathematics and Statistics Jenison Klinger Silver and red honor cords are provided for all major graduates who receive university baccalaureate honors.
Medicine, School of Darilyn Martinez Physical Therapy--$500 honors award Dental Hygiene--certificates given. Directors find highest GPA, then look if students are involved in extracurricular activities related to dental hygiene. Honor cords can be purchased at the UNM Bookstore.
Nursing, College of Nancy Fish Baccalaureate honors recipients are awarded a nursing pin. Eligibility requirements and awards vary for difference programs. The college offers awards for Adult Health, Community Health, Maternity, Pediatrics, Psychiatric, Alumni Association Nursing Leadership, Robin Armell Memorial, Sigma Theta Tau, etc.
Pharmacy, College of Megan Thompson Rho Chi Honor Society: Top 20% of class, students can wear a cord at graduation. Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Society: Student chosen based on academic excellence and leadership responsibilities within the College and the community.
Philosophy Sandy Robbins Student eligibility requirements are as follows: Be a philosophy major, have an overall GPA of 3.00 or above, and have a philosophy GPA of 3.50 or above. Submit an application at the beginning of their senior year and take the honors sequence of courses. No certificates, medallions, certificates given.
Physics and Astronomy Mary DeWitt Departmental honors are awarded after successfully defend a senior year thesis. A certificate designed especially for that student and signed by the department chair is presented each spring at the convocation ceremony.
Political Science Joann Buehler Cherry and silver honor cords are purchased for those undergraduate students who successfully finish their honors program and graduate with baccalaureate honors. Students entering their junior year with a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or above and a political science major GPA of 3.50 or above are eligible to enroll in the departmental honors program.
Psychology Candace Blashak

For admission to the departmental honors program, students must have a GPA of 3.20 or better, apply during their sophomore year, submit a statement of interest, and complete PSYCH 260 or 265, and 200 and 302. Awards include red and gray cords and a plaque.

Public Administration, School of Gene Henley The National Honor Society is Pi Alpha Alpha, and membership is limited to those who demonstrate academic achievement and/or outstanding public service. Students who have completed 24 credit hours of coursework at UNM leading to a Master's Degree in Public Administration with a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or better are eligible.
Religious Studies Nancy Rice
  1. Overall GPA of at least 3.20.
  2. Not less than 6 credit hours in independent study, senior thesis or special courses open only to candidates for graduation with honors in the department.
  3. Preparation and oral defense of thesis under direction of committee.
Spanish and Portuguese Rosario Johnson Departmental honors are awarded if the student has a GPA of at least 3.50 in Spanish, and a general GPA of at least 3.20. MA and PhD students can be awarded Distinction in Teaching if selected by the coordinators of their program.
Sociology Rose Muller Departmental honors awarded if student satisfies the following criteria: enroll in two honors courses and write a thesis to qualify. A cord, which is white in color, can be worn at graduation ceremonies.
University Honors Program Beth Hanes Students who successfully complete the University Honors Program receive a silver medallion and a certificate indicating what level of honors they graduated with (summa cum laude, magna cum laude or cum laude). These honors are available only to those students who applied and actively participated throughout their university career.
UNM-Gallup Suzette Wyaco Students who are enrolled full-time and receive a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 are allowed to wear silver and cherry cords at graduation.
UNM-Los Alamos Maisie Trujillo The only organization that is recognized is the Phi Beta Kappa group, and its members buy their own honor cords.
UNM-Taos Amie Aguilar Students are recognized with a gold cord if they have a GPA of at least 3.50
Women Studies Gail Houston

Students must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the Triota Women Studies Honor Society:

  • Be a second semester sophomore with a GPA of 3.0
  • Must have taken at least six credit hours in Women Studies

Students are allowed to wear purple and silver honor cords at graduation.

 
Other Honors and Awards
Baccalaureate Honors Marge Klimt

Must have earned 60 hours in residence (at UNM).

  • Cum laude: GPA between 3.50 and 3.74
  • Magna cum laude: GPA between 3.75 and 3.89
  • Summa cum laude: GPA greater than 3.90

Baccalaureate honors designations are printed on diplomas and recorded on transcripts. These honors are automatic; students do not need to apply for this category of honors.

Thesis and dissertation honors are NOT printed on diplomas.

Please note that the Records Office cannot provide student-specific honors information over the phone.

Clauve Outstanding Senior Award Randy Boeglin

Awarded to UNM seniors who have a GPA of at least 3.00 and who have demonstrated leadership and involvement. A small number of students are selected in a competitive process in February or March each year.

No special cords or medallions are worn at graduation. Recipients allowed to be graduates from previous, current, or future semesters.
Golden Key Honor Society Jenna Crabb Juniors or seniors with a GPA of at least 3.69 can apply. For graduation, they can wear a cord, sash, or medallion, which can be purchased from either a Golden Key Officer or Jenna Crabb, Director of Career Services.
Mortar Board Honor Society Trey Smith

Students can apply in their senior year (when they have completed 90 credit hours) if they have a GPA of at least 3.00, and have a history of leadership service. Application process and membership fee required.

Cords are given to members and officers, but officers also receive a medallion to wear at graduation.
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars Dee Baker The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is for high-achieving students and was founded in 1994 at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. NSCS recognizes outstanding academic achievement among first- and second-year college students. Membership is based on grade point average and class standing, and is generally by invitation only. Only first and second-year college students who rank in the top 20th percentile of their class and have a minimum GPA of 3.4 are invited to join. Students are also able to join if they meet the GPA and class standing requirements but have not received an invitation from NSCS or never took advantage of an invitation they received at an earlier date.

NSCS aims to honor, inspire and engage its members, and offers benefits including scholarships, leadership development, travel opportunities and career resources.

http://www.unm.edu/~nscs
Phi Beta Kappa Society Michelle Steiner

Eligibility criteria:

  • Seniors with a GPA of at least 3.50 and with 90 credit hours of which 40 credit hours must have been earned at UNM.
  • Juniors with a GPA of at least 4.00 and with 75 credit hours of which and 40 credit hours must have been earned at UNM.

Student should have a minimum of two semesters in Humanities, Mathematics, Foreign Languages, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences.
Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society Christopher Butler Every spring semester, the top 10% of undergraduate and graduate seniors are invited to participate in the organization. If they accept, they are awarded a medallion that can be worn at graduation. Lost medallions can be replaced with another medallion or cord by purchasing one.
Presidential Scholarships Alex Gonzalez

Please refer to the Scholarship Office Web site for detailed eligibility information:

http://www.unm.edu/~schol/maintain/pres.html
Regents Scholarships Diane Rawls

Please refer to the Scholarship Office Web site for detailed eligibility information:

http://www.unm.edu/~schol/freshmen/regents.html

Ronald E. McNair Scholarships Wadell Blackwell

Please refer to the Ronald E. McNair Scholars program Web site for detailed eligibility information:

http://www.unm.edu/~mcnair/new_application.htm
Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society Jerry Shea

Please refer to the Web site of the Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter for detailed eligibility information:

http://www.unm.edu/~sigmatau/