Graduating with Honors

There are three potential designations for honors:

1. Graduating with honors (see below to see if you qualify)
2. Graduating in the honors program
3. Graduating with membership in an honor's society

To "graduate with honors", students must meet all of the following requirements:

1. earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 on all course work attempted at Gordon State;
2. earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 when all course work attempted at previous colleges attended and at Gordon State is considered; and
3. earn a minimum of 18 semester hours of degree credit at Gordon for an associate degree or a minimum of 30 hours of degree credit at Gordon State for a baccalaureate degree.

If eligible for graduation with honors, a student's particular honors category will be based on a grade point average calculated using credit hours earned at Gordon State only. The honors categories are summarized as follows:

 *Cords must be purchased at the Bookstore

This graduation honors policy is in the online Academic Catalog in the Academic Standards section under Graduation with Honors. It applies to all students completing degree requirements during the current academic year. If you have questions about this policy, you should contact the Registrar's Office at (678) 359-5022 as soon as possible.

Honors Program Membership

The Honors Program of Gordon State College is designed to provide opportunities for academically talented and intellectually curious students to obtain an enhanced collegiate educational experience. To graduate with recognition of achievement as a student in the Honors Program, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. In addition, students must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA in a minimum of four Honors courses. Students in baccalaureate programs also have devoted 20 hours or more to service in the college or community and been actively involved in scholarship in the field, which typically includes presentation at state or regional honors conferences. Graduating members of the Gordon State College Honors Program can be recognized by a medallion.

To graduate as a member of GSC's Honors Program, you must apply directly to the program by completing an application available on our website. A student officially becomes a member when his/her membership application has been approved. Students must have applied by the published deadlines and received acceptance for recognition at Graduation.

For additional information about the Honors Program, contact the Coordinator by email: honors@gordonstate.edu or by writing to:

Honors Program
Gordon State College
419 College Drive
Barnesville, GA 30204

Honors Society Membership

To graduate as a member of any honor's society, you must apply directly through the chapter of that society on our campus after receiving an invitation to join. A student becomes a member when his/her membership application has been approved and membership fees have been paid. The Society's induction requirement is met when the student signs the Membership Oath which appears on the membership application. A student must be recorded as a member at Headquarters in order to receive all the rights, privileges and benefits of membership. Specific society chapters available at Gordon State College include:

• Phi Alpha Theta (click here for society information and how to join)
  • Contact Dr. Rachel Mittelman at 678-359-5395, Russell 103C now for more information.
  • Phi Alpha Theta members may wear pale blue and red cords or a red sash at graduation.
  • No other PAT items may be worn at the graduation ceremony.
• Gordon State College Phi Theta Kappa (click here for society information and how to join)
  • Contact Ms. Angiah Davis, Director of Library Services at 678-358-5076, now for more information.
  • Phi Theta Kappa members may wear a gold cord and a gold stole at Graduation. These items are purchased directly through the Phi Theta Kappa website.
  • No other PTK items may be worn at the graduation ceremony.
• Bachelor degree Pi Lambda Theta (click here for society information and how to join)
  • Contact Dr. Michael Mahan at 678-359-5468, Smith 101 now for more information.
  • Pi Lambda Theta members may wear a gold cord at Graduation. This item is purchased directly through the Pi Lambda Theta website.
  • No other PLT items may be worn at the graduation ceremony.
• Sigma Tau Delta (click here for society information and how to join)
  • Contact Dr. Wesley Venus at 678-359-5092, Academic 103H, or Dr. LaRonda Sanders-Senu at 678-359-5444, Academic 103G, now for more information.
  • Sigma Tau Delta members may wear black and red cords and a red stole at Graduation. The STD medallion may also be worn attached to the red cord as specified on the STD website. These items are purchased directly through the Sigma Tau Delta website.
  • No other STD items may be worn at the graduation ceremony.
• Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) (click here for society information and how to join)
  • Contact Dr. Amanda Duffus at 678-359-5464, CETL House now for more information.
  • TriBeta members may wear green and red cords at Graduation. The TriBeta medallion may also be worn attached to the cord as specified on the TriBeta website. These items are provided to graduates by your chapter contact. Only regular or graduate members of Beta Beta Beta may wear the cords and/or the medallion.
  • No other TriBeta items may be worn at the graduation ceremony.
• Nursing graduates may wear their nursing pins on their robe.
  • No other nursing items may be worn at the graduation ceremony.
• Graduating Veterans - The red, white and blue Veterans tassel or stole designates those individuals who have served in any branch of the United States armed forces.