Graduation Requirements

  • Graduate with University Honors - 27 total honors credit hours required 
  • Graduate as an Honors Scholar - 33 total honors credit hours required 
  • You must keep a 3.2 GPA to remain in good standing in the Honors Program. Read our review policy.
  • Students must be in good standing with the Honors Program to graduate with University Honors

Continued Participation in the Honors Program

There are two requirements to remain in good standing within the Honors Program. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of how many Honors credits they have earned and what is needed to stay in good standing. 
  1. Honors students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.2.
    • Students whose cumulative grade-point average drops below a 3.2 have a one-semester grace period during which time they can remain in the Honors Program while they work on bringing their cumulative grade-point average above the 3.2 minimum. If, at the end of the grace period, the student's grade-point average is still below a 3.2, the student will be dropped from the Honors Program.
  2. Honors students are required to complete at least one Honors experience per academic year, which can include credit completed during the summer term.
    • Students will be given a one-semester grace period during which they can remain in the Honors Program and work on Honors credit. If, at the end of the grace period, the student still has not completed any Honors credit, the student will be dropped from the Honors Program. Students who have completed the University Honors requirements are not required to complete additional credits each academic year. 

University Honors Requirements 

First-year students must complete 27 hours of Honors coursework to earn the University Honors distinction. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 is required to graduate with University Honors. Completing Honors credit does not require additional classes or additional costs. Honors general education courses can fulfill degree requirements and other Honors credits can be earned in several ways:

Honors Scholar Requirements 

To graduate as an Honors Scholar, you must complete a six-credit Senior Honors Thesis or Project in addition to the requirements noted above.

Students who complete the Honors Program requirements and the Senior Honors Thesis will graduate with University Honors and as an Honors Scholar. Both notations will appear on the transcript and diploma. 

Graduation Requirements for Transfer Students and Currently Enrolled Students 

Transfer students and currently enrolled UMKC students who enter the Honors Program with less than 50 credits will need 27 hours of honors credit to earn the University Honors distinction. 21 hours of honors credit is required if you enter the Honors Program with 50 or more credits. 

Transfer students may count up to 9 transfer honors credit hours toward the total hours required for graduation with University Honors. 

Contact Student Services Director, Mariah Ramos, about transfer credit.