Degrees with Distinction

Awarding Distinction, High Distinction, and Highest Distinction

In recognition of outstanding academic excellence, the college awards bachelor's degrees with Distinction, High Distinction, and Highest Distinction. Distinction and High Distinction may be recommended based on a student's academic record alone, although they may be awarded based on the combination of cumulative GPA and a thesis. Highest Distinction requires a thesis.

The Committee on Student Academic Distinction, Awards, and Appeals recommends a level of distinction after it carefully weighs and considers all aspects of a student's record, which includes:

• the overall quality and breadth of the program
• the cumulative GPA of UNL hours at the end of the term prior to graduation
• the quality of any transfer credit hours
• the number of 300/400 level courses
• the number of courses taken P/N
• the number of courses retaken to remove "C-," "D," or "F" grades
• the quality of the thesis and the thesis defense (when submitted) as defined by evaluations provided by the co-advisors

Ordinarily, only students who have taken their last 48 credit hours of graded course work while registered in the College of Arts and Sciences are considered. Consequently, it is possible for a student to have a GPA above the cutoff point and still not receive a recommendation for distinction.

Levels of Distinction Offered Without a Thesis

Degrees with High Distinction and degrees with Distinction may be recommended based on a student’s academic record. There is no application process for students who do not complete a thesis.  

To be considered for High Distinction without a thesis, a student:  

• must have a cumulative GPA of UNL hours of 3.920 or higher at the end of the term prior to graduation
• have a minimum of 60 credit hours at UNL
• last 48 credit hours must be taken with a declared CAS major

To be considered for Distinction without a thesis, a student: 

• must have cumulative GPA of UNL hours between 3.850 and 3.919 at the end of the term prior to graduation
• last 48 credit hours must be taken with a declared CAS major

The Role of the Thesis in Awarding Degrees with Distinction

To be considered for Highest Distinction, a student: 

• must submit a thesis to CAS (note: submitting a thesis to the Honors Program is a separate process. See FAQ)
• must have a cumulative GPA of UNL hours of 3.920 or above at the end of the term prior to graduation 
• have a minimum of 60 hours at UNL 
• the last 48 hours must be taken with a declared CAS major 
• should receive an Excellent or Very Good recommendation from the co-advisors based upon both the thesis (or comparable creative effort) and the thesis defense 

To be considered for High Distinction, a student: 

• must submit a thesis to CAS (note: submitting a thesis to the Honors Program is a separate process. See FAQ) 
• have a cumulative GPA of UNL hours between 3.850 - 3.920 at the end of the term prior to graduation 
• have a minimum of 60 hours at UNL 
• the last 48 hours must be taken with a declared CAS major 
• should receive at least a Good recommendation from the co-advisors based upon both the thesis (or comparable creative effort) and the thesis defense 

To be considered for Distinction, a student:  

• must submit a thesis to CAS (note: submitting a thesis to the Honors Program is a separate process. See FAQ)  
• must have a cumulative GPA of UNL hours between 3.500 - 3.850 at the end of the term prior to graduation 
• receive at least a Good recommendation from the two advisors based upon both the thesis (or comparable creative effort) and the thesis defense 
• the last 48 hours must be taken with a declared CAS major 
• no student will be considered for distinction with a cumulative GPA below 3.500  

Writing a Thesis