Degrees with Distinction

Degrees with distinction are conferred on candidates for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Engineering degree who have completed at least 55 credits at Stony Brook (excluding Challenge credit), have letter grades assigned to at least 80 percent of their coursework, and attain the requisite GPA in the class. The levels of distinction are summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude. Attainment of a degree with distinction is indicated on the student’s diploma and permanent academic record. The grade point average cutoffs for the three levels of distinction are: summa cum laude, 3.85; magna cum laude, 3.70; cum laude, 3.50.

Please note that for the Honors Baccalaureate Ceremony and publication, the distinction is an estimated calculation based on students’ cumulative grade point average and credits, based on the preceding completed term.  Actual awarding of honors distinction is based on students’ cumulative grade point average and credits, including final term grades.