Clemson University Grad Students: Honors At Graduation?

Clemson University offers its students a variety of honors, awards, and designations. Graduating with honors is an important distinction that is achieved through a combination of high academic achievement and completion of specific requirements. Clemson University recognizes and celebrates the achievements of its graduate students by bestowing upon them various honors and awards. The university's graduate students have the opportunity to pursue different types of honors, including General Honors, Departmental Honors, and Interdisciplinary Honors. These honors programs provide an enriched academic experience and require students to maintain high academic standards.

Clemson University Honors College

Clemson University is a science- and engineering-oriented university with over 5,500 students enrolled in 130+ graduate and professional degree programs. The university offers a transformative education to all its students, with a focus on teaching, research, and service.

Honors Graduation Requirements

General Honors

General Honors aims to broaden students' intellectual perspectives by encouraging them to take Honors courses in various areas of study. Members of the Honors College must take at least one Honors course each fall and spring semester, preferably during priority registration.

To be awarded the Certificate of Achievement in General Honors, students must satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 18 Honors credit hours from three or more groups, with at least three hours from each group.
• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.40 or higher on all coursework taken at Clemson.
• Earn a grade of A or B in all courses taken to fulfill the requirements of General Honors.
• Complete all University requirements for graduation.

Departmental Honors

Departmental Honors provides students with opportunities to engage in advanced coursework, independent research, and other scholarly activities within their major.

Interdisciplinary Honors

Interdisciplinary Honors allows students to pursue a topic of interest that integrates two or more disciplines. This option enables students to develop a deeper understanding of their chosen topic by exploring it from multiple perspectives.

Graduation Ceremonies

Clemson Honors hosts a distinction ceremony where students who have completed General, Departmental, or Interdisciplinary Honors programs are presented with a Clemson Honors medallion to wear during the graduation ceremony. All graduating Clemson Honors students are also welcome to participate in the Clemson University graduation ceremony.

Additional Honors and Recognitions

Clemson University also recognises students with various honors and designations, such as Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude, based on their grade-point averages. Additionally, students with a 3.00 or better grade-point average may wear white stoles over their gowns during the graduation ceremony.

General Honors

The General Honors program at Clemson University is designed to broaden the intellectual perspectives of its students. Students are encouraged to take Honors courses across a wide range of disciplines to achieve this.

To graduate with General Honors, students must complete a minimum of 18 Honors credit hours from at least three different subjects, with at least three credit hours coming from HON-prefixed courses. For example, a student could take an HON 1900 course. These courses are typically 1000-2000 level courses that either satisfy the University's General Education requirements or serve as introductory courses for a student's major. However, 3000-4000 level courses can also be taken for General Honors. Students must achieve a grade of A or B in all courses taken to fulfill the requirements of General Honors.

Students must also maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.40 or higher on all coursework taken at Clemson, including both non-honors and honors courses. This is a requirement for all students graduating with any type of honors, including General, Departmental, and Interdisciplinary Honors.

Honors graduates have the option of participating in two graduation ceremonies. Clemson Honors hosts a distinction ceremony where students who have completed a General, Departmental, or Interdisciplinary Honors program are presented with a Clemson Honors medallion, which they can wear during the graduation ceremony. All graduating Clemson Honors students can also take part in the Clemson University graduation ceremony.

Departmental Honors

At Clemson University, the Departmental Honors program offers Honors students a unique opportunity to undertake advanced, in-depth study and research within their major academic disciplines. The specific requirements for departmental honors are set by the student's department, and students will typically complete a thesis, portfolio of creative works, or major research project under the guidance of a faculty member or committee.

The Departmental Honors program allows students to customize their learning experience and gain advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen field. It provides an opportunity for in-depth study and research, complementing a student's degree and fostering academic and personal growth.

Honors courses can be counted towards either General Honors or Departmental Honors, but not both. Students who complete the Departmental Honors program have the option of participating in two graduation ceremonies: the Clemson Honors distinction ceremony, where they will be presented with a Clemson Honors medallion, and the Clemson University graduation ceremony.

Interdisciplinary Honors

The Honors College at Clemson University offers a range of curriculum tracks, including Interdisciplinary Honors. Students in the Honors College are required to take a minimum of one Honors course each fall and spring semester. These courses can be in different areas of study to fulfill the requirements for Interdisciplinary Honors.

To receive the Interdisciplinary Honors distinction upon graduation, students must complete the Honors Distinction Verification Form during the semester of their anticipated graduation. Failure to submit this form on time may result in not receiving the appropriate recognition at the graduation ceremony.

Students who have earned Interdisciplinary Honors are presented with a Clemson University Honors College Medallion, which they can wear during the graduation ceremony. They are also invited to participate in the Clemson University graduation ceremony and the semi-annual Graduation Celebrations hosted by the University.

Overall, the Interdisciplinary Honors program at Clemson University provides students with the opportunity to challenge themselves academically, broaden their intellectual horizons, and receive recognition for their achievements upon graduation.

Clemson University Graduation Application

Clemson University is a science- and engineering-oriented university with over 5,500 students enrolled in 130+ graduate and professional degree programs. The university offers a transformative education for all, with many nationally ranked programs.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from Clemson University, students must meet the specific requirements for their chosen program. For example, the General Honors program requires students to complete a minimum of 18 Honors credit hours from three or more subjects, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.40 or higher, and earn a grade of A or B in all courses taken to fulfill the General Honors requirements.

Graduation Application Process

Graduating students at Clemson University need to submit two essential documents: the GS2 Plan of Study and the Graduation Application. These should be submitted to the Graduate School at the beginning of the semester before the expected graduation date. For instance, if you plan to graduate in August, you must submit the GS2 form by mid-May and the Graduation Application by early June.

The Graduation Application can be accessed and submitted through iROAR, where you can select "Apply for Graduation" under the "Student Record" menu. If you encounter any issues or have questions about the process, you can reach out to Enrolled Student Services or call 864-656-5339 for assistance.

Honors Graduation

Clemson University recognizes and celebrates the achievements of its honors students. Those who complete a General, Departmental, or Interdisciplinary Honors program have the option to participate in two graduation ceremonies. The Honors Distinction Ceremony is held specifically for these students, where they receive and wear their Clemson Honors medallions. Additionally, all graduating Honors students are welcome to take part in the Clemson University graduation ceremony.

To ensure their honors distinctions are acknowledged, students must complete the Honors Distinction Verification Form during the semester of their anticipated graduation. This form has a strict deadline and should be submitted before the Clemson University Graduation Application deadline for the semester of graduation.

Graduation Celebrations

Clemson University hosts semi-annual Graduation Celebrations in May, August, and December, where graduating students and their families are invited to attend. These celebrations provide an opportunity for students to be recognized and receive a special gift from the university. All graduating students are also invited to walk in the official university graduation ceremony but are not obligated to do so. They can indicate their preference on the Graduation Application.

Honors Designations and Societies

Clemson University confers various honors and awards upon its graduating students. Students with a 3.00 or higher grade-point average wear white stoles over their gowns, and those who are members of University-recognized honorary societies may have the names embroidered on their stoles. Additionally, the university recognizes active-duty military and graduating veterans with red, white, and blue cords.

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