Willamette recognizes academic excellence by awarding the Latin Honors of summa cum laude (with highest honors), magna cum laude (with high honors) and cum laude (with honors) at the time of degree conferral. Latin Honors are recorded on students' academic transcripts.

To be eligible for Latin Honors, students must have completed a minimum of 80 undergraduate credits in residence at Willamette or through Willamette sponsored study abroad programs.

May graduates with a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average in the top 2% of the class will be awarded summa cum laude; those in the top 6% will be awarded magna cum laude; and those in the top 12% will be awarded cum laude.

Latin Honors for August and January graduates will be based on the grade point average ranges of the top 2%, 6% and 12% of the previous May undergraduate graduating class.

A student may graduate with department honors in the major field of study by distinguished completion of a thesis, research project, performance or creative exhibition, by attainment of a departmentally specified cumulative grade point average for courses within the major and by completing other requirements as prescribed by the major program faculty.

A student may be named to the College Honors List for any semester during which the student earns a g.p.a. of 3.75 or better with no fewer than twelve credits of graded undergraduate coursework. A notation of this achievement is made on the student's transcript.