Academic Honors

Dean's List

The Dean's List honors all undergraduates in the university who have received 12 graded credits in a given semester (no incompletes) and have a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or above.

President's List

The President's List honors all undergraduates in the university who have received 12 graded credits in a given semester (no incompletes) and have a semester grade point average (GPA) of 4.0.

Graduation Honors

Rochester University recognizes exceptional academic performance and achievement with honors at graduation. Rochester University’s graduation honors are as follows: Summa Cum Laude (3.90), Magna Cum Laude (3.70), or Cum Laude (3.50). Honors are based on all university work at Rochester University. Forty-five or more credit hours of coursework at Rochester University are required for honors to be awarded. Honors are not available to Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or graduate students. Once a degree is conferred, a student’s transcript is permanent. Academic honors will not be re-evaluated if additional coursework is completed after degree conferral.

Honors Program

Information about Rochester University's Honors Program, including how to earn Honors distinctions, can be found here.

Honor Societies

Alpha Chi National College Honor Society

Alpha Chi, a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, was founded in 1922 to recognize and promote academic excellence among college and university students of all disciplines. Membership in the Michigan Eta chapter is by invitation based on the following criteria. Candidates must be in good standing with the university and: 

• Must be a currently enrolled junior or senior in an undergraduate program at Rochester University
• Must have at least 24 graded semester hours of credit earned at Rochester University
• Must be in the top 10% of their class as determined by cumulative GPA

National Society of Leadership and Success

The National Society of Leadership and Success is a leadership program that helps students achieve personal growth, career success, and empowers them to have a positive impact in their communities. Membership is by invitation; induction requires student participation in several leadership and networking initiatives.

Psi Chi - National Honor Society in Psychology

The Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences is a sponsor for Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology, which offers opportunities for students who excel in their academic coursework in their respective behavioral Sciences programs. Students invited to join Psi Chi have shown a significant interest in Psychology and must meet the minimum requirements for undergraduate students:

• Must be enrolled as a student at Rochester University
• Must have established a GPA at Rochester University
• Must be enrolled in the final semester prior to graduation
• Must be enrolled as a major or minor in a psychology program or a program psychological in nature that is equivalent to a psychology major
• Must have completed at least 9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours of psychology courses
• Must have an overall GPA that is in the top 35% of the senior class (90+ credit hours earned; if the cut-off for the top 35% is below 3.0, the applicant must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale)
• Must have a psychology GPA (in PSY coursework) that is at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale
• Students who meet all the criteria for induction will be sent an invitation packet during their final semester of enrollment.

Sigma Theta Tau - International Honor Society of Nursing

Sigma Theta Tau is the International Honor Society of Nursing. Students are invited to join the Theta Psi at-large chapter after meeting the following criteria:

• Complete half of the nursing curriculum
• Achieve academic excellence with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0
• Rank in the top 35% of the graduating class
• Meet the expectation of academic integrity

Sigma Tau Delta 

Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society. RU's local chapter is named Alpha lota Phi, and the sponsors for it are full-time faculty in the Department of English. Students invited to join Sigma Tau Delta at RU are required to meet the following qualifications:

• Must have completed a minimum of two college courses in English language and literature beyond the usual requirements in freshman English
• Must have a minimum of a B or equivalent average in English and in general scholarship (a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
• Must have completed at least three semesters or five quarters of college coursework