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Click on any of the following links for information:
Dean’s List Designation
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Undergraduate full-time students may be designated for the Dean’s List at the end of the fall and spring terms. The Dean’s List designation is based on a student’s total course registrations for academic credit for the term from any South Dakota regental university. The Dean’s List designation does not appear on the transcript.
The following criteria must be met to be awarded Dean’s List designation:
- Students must have earned a minimum of 12 credit hours during the term in courses numbered 100-699;
- Students must have achieved a system term GPA of at least 3.50; and
- Students must have no F, I, U, RI, or RU grades for the term regardless of system term GPA attained.
- Students who receive an IP grade must meet all criteria without consideration of the course in which the IP grade was assigned.
Graduation with Honors
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The University of South Dakota encourages and recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement. Therefore, the University determines the scholastic honors, if any, to be awarded with a degree. Announcement of such honors is made on the diploma, on the official transcript.
Baccalaureate Degree
Graduation honors are awarded on the following basis:
| Summa Cum Laude |
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Cumulative & institutional GPA equal to or greater than 3.9 |
| Magna Cum Laude |
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Cumulative & institutional GPA equal to or greater than 3.7 and less than 3.9 |
| Cum Laude |
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Cumulative & institutional GPA equal to or greater than 3.5 and less than 3.7 |
In addition, students must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours at the degree-granting institution.
Associate Degree
Graduation honors are awarded on the following basis:
| With highest honor |
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Cumulative & institutional GPA equal to or greater than 3.9 |
| With high honor |
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Cumulative & institutional GPA equal to or greater than 3.7 and less than 3.9 |
| With honor |
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Cumulative & institutional GPA equal to or greater than 3.5 and less than 3.7 |
In addition, students must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at the degree-granting institution.
University Scholar and Thesis Scholar
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The designation of University Scholar has been specified by the University Senate as the highest honor granted to an undergraduate at the University of South Dakota. A University Scholar must complete the Honors Program Core Curriculum, including an honors thesis, and have a cumulative USD grade point average of at least 3.25. The designation of Thesis Scholar is an honor bestowed upon an undergraduate who completes the General Education Core Curriculum, two honors seminars, an honors thesis and has a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25. Both designations require admission to the University Honors Program.
Phi Beta Kappa
This organization is the best-known and most prestigious academic honorary society and is the only chapter at a South Dakota private or public college or university. Students are elected to membership as juniors or seniors based on high scholastic achievement and completion of a liberal education, including one semester of calculus; one year of western civilization or world civilizations or Honors Interdisciplinary Civilization; one year of a non-English language; one year of sequential study of laboratory science; two courses at the 300 or 400 level of Social Sciences. The chapter hosts the annual Lifto Amundson Phi Beta Kappa Lecture. For more information contact chapter offices through the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office at 677-5221, visit the chapter website at www.usd.edu/pbk or e-mail the chapter at pbk@usd.edu.
Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) is a national leadership honor society for college students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni that recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character. Membership in ODK is a mark of the highest distinction and honor. A limited number of USD students (no more than 15) are selected for ODK membership each year. One distinguished faculty member is also selected. To become a student member, the student must rank in the top 35% of his/her class and be on track to complete at least 90 credits at the end of the spring semester of the year in which they apply for membership. Deserving faculty members can be nominated or express interest in joining by sending an email to odk@usd.edu.
Mortar Board
A National Honor Society recognizing the top 5% of the senior class for their outstanding scholarship, leadership and service. Members are elected during the second semester of their junior year through an application process. Students must have shown substantial campus leadership and at least a 3.2 GPA. Mortar Board selects up to thirty-five new members each year. Mortar Board’s national philanthropy is “Reading is Leading” and works closely with the local Vermillion schools to donate books, work book sales, and help promote reading with the children of Vermillion. Mortar Board sponsors annual rose sales every year, as well as the Miss USD pageant.
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
NSCS recognizes high achievement among first and second year students in all academic disciplines; to encourage and promote high standards throughout the collegiate experience; to provide opportunities for personal growth and leadership development for members; to organize and encourage learning opportunities through community service. Membership is by invitation and only those students meeting the following criteria may be elected: be a first or second year student at the time of affirmation; completed at least 12 hours but no more than 60 hours of coursework; attain at least a 3.4 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Departmental and Professional Honors Societies
A number of honor societies and honorary organizations exist on campus for student in specific fields of study or interests. For information about these societies contact your academic discipline or department.
National Residence Hall Honorary
The University Of South Dakota Coyote Chapter of The National Residence Hall Honorary is a student run organization of residence hall leaders. Membership in our chapter is limited to 1% of students that are currently living in our residence hall facilities.
Academic Recognition For Part-Time Students
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Undergraduate part-time students may be designated for Academic Recognition for Part-Time Students at the end of the fall and spring terms. The Academic Recognition for Part-Time Student’s designation is based on a student’s total course registrations for academic credit for the term from any South Dakota regental university. The Academic Recognition for Part-Time Students designation does not appear on the transcript.
The following criteria must be met to be awarded Academic Recognition for Part-Time Students designation:
- Students must have completed at least 12 credit hours prior to the current semester at one or more South Dakota regental institutions;
- Students must have earned at least 3 and up to 11 credit hours during the term in courses numbered 100-699;
- Students must have achieved a system term GPA of at least 3.50; and
- Students must have no F, I, U, RI, or RU grades for the term regardless of system term GPA attained.
- Students who receive an IP grade must meet all criteria without consideration of the course in which the IP grade was assigned.
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