Understanding What Cum Laude Means
The term ‘cum laude’ is a Latin expression meaning ‘with praise’ and is used to recognize an outstanding level of academic achievement. It is sometimes used as an academic honor society designation, or as an academic honor when awarding a degree. For many, the title ‘cum laude’ carries a certain level of prestige and recognition.
Cum Laude as an Academic Honor
In the United States, many universities and colleges award cum laude honors to students who demonstrate excellence in an academic area. Generally, a cum laude designation is given to students who have earned a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
In some institutions, cumulative GPA is used to decide who receives cum laude honors. In other institutions, a separate honors program may exist where a student can earn a cum laude distinction by achieving specific standards in the honors program. However, some colleges and universities also award cum laude honors to students with grades in the uppermost ten percent of their class.
The Requirements for Earning Cum Laude
In order to earn the cum laude distinction, most universities usually set a minimum GPA requirement. For example, some universities may require students to maintain a 3.7 GPA, or higher, in order to graduate cum laude. Each college and university may set its own specific requirements and expectations, so it’s important to research the exact requirements of your educational institution.
Meaning of Cum Laude
The phrase ‘cum laude’ is often used to recognize academic excellence, and to award students with a status that indicates they have achieved something extraordinary in their education. Although the Latin expression ‘cum laude’ is used to describe students who have achieved success in the academic world, it can also be used to recognize other types of achievement.
Generally, it is the highest level of recognition a student can receive for their academic work. It signifies that an individual has achieved a high level of dedication and skill in the study of their field. Cum laude honors are an acknowledgment of a student’s dedication, hard work and success in academia.