Honors cords/medallions and military cords can be picked up at our Commencement Welcome Fair. The University provides these items to eligible graduates. They are not provided within your regalia order. Please read over the honors qualifications below. Certificate graduates are not eligible for honors.
Military cords are provided to active duty and veteran students only.
Undergraduate Students
Associate degree and diploma students who have a 3.50 cumulative grade point average will receive Honors (Red Cords) at Commencement. Honors for graduation will be determined by the cumulative grade point average earned at Liberty University. Bachelor degree students who have earned 60 or more hours at Liberty University must meet the following GPA standards to earn the corresponding academic distinction:
- 3.50 – 3.66 – Cum Laude (Red Cords)
- 3.67 – 3.84 – Magna Cum Laude (Blue Cords)
- 3.85 & above – Summa Cum Laude (Gold Cords)
Students who have earned fewer than 60 hours at Liberty must meet the following GPA standards:
- 3.60 – 3.76 – Cum Laude (Red Cords)
- 3.77 – 3.94 – Magna Cum Laude (Blue Cords)
- 3.95 & above – Summa Cum Laude (Gold Cords)
Graduate and Doctoral Students
Honors for graduation will be determined by the cumulative grade point average earned at Liberty University. Master degree students must meet the following GPA standards to earn the corresponding academic distinction:
- 3.90 – 3.94 – Graduate with distinction (Silver Medallion)
- 3.95 – 4.00 – Graduate with high distinction (Gold Medallion)
Honors qualifications will be calculated on April 1st. The specific honor calculated at that time is what the student will wear for Commencement ceremonies. However, the final cumulative grade point average will be recorded when the degree is conferred and that final cumulative GPA will determine the specific honor that will be printed on the diploma and transcript. Cumulative GPA is calculated to the hundredths place and is never rounded.