Cum Laude

The School of Business, along with all of UW-Madison, does not have Magna/Suma Cum Laude.

However, the School of Business does recognize students graduating within the top 20% of their class (Graduated with Distinction) and students completing the Business Honors in Liberal Arts program (Honors). See further below for more details.

Distinction

The Office of the Registrar compiles a preliminary list of business students eligible for Distinction. These students are eligible to wear an honors stole with their commencement attire. The Undergraduate Academic Services Office (UAS) will notify eligible students via email 2-3 weeks before the Commencement Ceremony.

Distinction is awarded to graduated business students who meet the following criteria:

1. At least sixty (60) credits earned (in residence) at UW-Madison.
2. A cumulative UW-Madison GPA in the top twenty percent (20%) of the graduating business class.

Please note that students on the preliminary list for Distinction may or may not receive Distinction. The Distinction designation is subject to change and is dependent upon official graduation date (semester), number of students graduating, and final grade calculations, including last semester and in-progress courses.

Students who graduate with Distinction are eligible to wear a cardinal stole with their commencement attire. The stoles can be obtained from the University Bookstore with a deposit and do not need to be ordered in advance. More information on graduation attire can be found on the site of the Secretary of the Faculty.

“Graduated with Distinction” is notated on official transcripts only.

Graduating with Honors

Business Honors in the Liberal Arts (BHLA) is a separate, elective program that requires additional academic work. More information about the program can be found on our BHLA web page.

Honors is awarded to business students who were admitted to and completed the BHLA program. These students are eligible to wear an honors stole with their commencement attire. The Undergraduate Academic Services Office (UAS) will notify eligible students via email 2-3 weeks before the Commencement Ceremony.

“Bachelor of Business Administration with Honors in the Liberal Arts” is notated on both the diploma and official transcript.

Students who graduate from the Honors program are eligible to wear a white stole with cardinal bars with their commencement attire. The stoles can be obtained from the University Bookstore with a deposit and do not need to be ordered in advance. More information on graduation attire can be found on the site of the Secretary of the Faculty.

Students graduating from the Honors program whose GPAs are in the top 20% of the graduating business class will also be awarded Distinction (see above).