Eligible students receive the following honors and awards in recognition of academic achievement.
The College of Letters and Science, School of the Arts and Architecture, School of Engineering and Applied Science, and School of Theater, Film, and Television award Dean's Honors to deserving students each term. The School of Nursing awards Dean's Honors on an annual basis. These honors are based on the grade-point average attained within a specified number of units. Consult your college or school for further information.
Your college or school awards honors according to your overall GPA at graduation. To be eligible you must have completed at least 90 (98 for the School of Nursing) University of California units for a letter grade.
The levels of honors are summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude. Specific requirements vary for each level and are detailed in the College and Schools section of this catalog.
In the College of Letters and Science, departmental honors and highest honors are awarded at graduation on your major department's recommendation, based on successful completion of a departmental honors program. Consult your department for its requirements.
Departments in all campus units except the School of Nursing may nominate exceptionally promising juniors and seniors as UCLA Departmental Scholars to pursue bachelor's and master's degree programs simultaneously. Nominations are submitted to the college or school dean or provost for recommendation to the dean of the Graduate Division. If you are interested in becoming a Departmental Scholar, consult your department well in advance of application dates for graduate admission (see the Calendar at the beginning of this catalog).
Membership in these national freshman honor societies is based solely on academic achievement during your freshman year. To be eligible you must have a 3.5 GPA with 12 graded University of California units in the first term of your freshman year, or a cumulative 3.5 GPA at the end of the second and/or third terms. Invitations are issued in Winter Quarter, and initiation is held during Spring Quarter. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students, 1206 Murphy Hall (310-825-3871).
Golden Key is a national interdisciplinary academic honors organization dedicated to excellence. Students qualify on the basis of objective academic criteria; no more than the top 15 percent of enrolled juniors and seniors may be eligible. The society recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence in all undergraduate fields of study, unites with collegiate faculties and administrators in developing and maintaining high standards of education, provides economic assistance to outstanding members by means of an annual scholarship for initiates and graduating seniors, and promotes scholastic achievement and altruistic conduct through voluntary service. Invitations are issued in Winter Quarter, and a reception is held in Spring Quarter. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students, 1206 Murphy Hall (310-825-3871).
Mortar Board is a national honor society for college seniors which recognizes outstanding and continual scholarship, leadership, and service to the campus community. To be considered for membership, candidates must have completed 90 units and must have attained at least a B average or be in the highest 35 percent scholastically of the junior class, whichever is higher. Applications are available from the Center for Student Programming, 337 Plaza Building (310-206-5523), early in Winter Quarter and are due by mid-February. Approximately 40 members are selected each spring by the outgoing chapter.
Phi Beta Kappa is a national honorary society in the humanities, liberal arts, and sciences, founded at the College of William and Mary in 1776. Membership is conferred for high scholastic standing and is determined by vote of the chapter council according to scholarship records. (Students do not apply for Phi Beta Kappa membership.)
At UCLA only graduating seniors and selected juniors are elected to membership. The annual election is held in May, with the initiation in June. At present, the minimum GPA considered is 3.65 (for 140 or more UC units); the minimum number of UC units considered is 75 (students at the 75-unit level must have at least a 3.85 GPA). A reasonable distribution of courses in the humanities and sciences is also required. A Passed grade is computed approximately as a B, depending on number of courses taken and graded units. If you are elected, you will be notified by mail. For more information, contact Phi Beta Kappa in the Honors Programs Office, A311 Murphy Hall (310-206-9667).
The Outstanding Senior Award offers recognition to graduating seniors who have demonstrated scholastic excellence, creativity in the department, and outstanding service to the University and community. Nominations are accepted in January and early February, and awards are presented at the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony in May. For more information, contact the UCLA Alumni Association in the West Alumni Center, 325 Westwood Plaza (310-206-0523).