Graduate with Honors
To graduate with honors, you must earn a specified GPA in all three of the following areas:
- overall UF GPA,
- business core GPA, and
- major or area of specialization GPA (see table)
In addition, students who wish to graduate magna and summa cum laude must write an honors thesis (see below for thesis guidelines). Tip: Your honors thesis can also serve as a University Scholars Program research project!
| Honors Designation | GPA Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cum Laude (Honors) | 3.5 UF, Core, and Major GPAs |
| Magna Cum Laude (High Honors) | 3.7 UF, Core, Major GPAs + thesis |
| Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors) | 3.9 UF, Core, Major GPAs + thesis |
Thesis Requirements
To graduate with the magna or summa cum laude honors designation, students must conduct an empirical research project (e.g., an observational study, survey, or experiment) that is commensurate with the standards in their field and then report their findings in a formal research paper. There are countless research topics to choose from and students are encouraged to explore their interests. It is also possible to take part in a faculty member’s research project and to use that project as a basis for your honors thesis. In general, an honors thesis must be supervised by a faculty member who has an understanding of the subject you plan to research. Find a faculty supervisor for your project.
In addition to securing a faculty advisor, students must obtain departmental approval for their project from the ISOM department in 351 Stuzin Hall via the Heavener School of Business Undergraduate Honors Thesis Application. If your project is approved, the department’s Honors Coordinator will register you for QMB 4970 which is a one credit honors thesis course that is taken for a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade. You are expected to enroll in this course by the end of the drop/add period. The faculty supervisor is responsible for determining if your thesis is satisfactory and for notifying the Honors Coordinator of your final grade. The Honors Coordinator will submit your final grade to the university.
Department of Information Systems & Operations Management Honors Coordinator:
Elizabeth Thomas
Email Elizabeth
351 Stuzin Hall
(352) 846-1374
To graduate with the magna or summa cum laude honors designation, students must conduct an empirical research project (e.g., an observational study, survey, or experiment) that is commensurate with the standards in their field and then report their findings in a formal research paper. There are countless research topics to choose from; however, very few Internet-related topics will be approved. Students are encouraged to explore their own interests, or to take part in a faculty member’s research project and to use that project as a basis for an honors thesis. In general, an honors thesis must be supervised by a faculty member who has an understanding of the subject you plan to research. Faculty supervisors can oversee no more than two honors theses each semester, so pre-planning is essential. Find a faculty supervisor for your project.
In addition to securing a faculty advisor, students must obtain departmental approval for their project from the FIRE department in 321 Stuzin Hall via the Heavener School of Business Undergraduate Honors Thesis Application. If your project is approved, the FIRE department will give you permission to register for FIN 4970 which is a one credit honors thesis course that is taken for a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade. You are expected to enroll in this course by the end of the drop/add period. The faculty supervisor is responsible for determining if your thesis is satisfactory and for submitting your final grade.
Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Honors Coordinator:
Dr. Michael Ryngaert
Email Dr. Ryngaert
309C Stuzin Hall
352 392-9765
To graduate with the magna or summa cum laude honors designation, students must conduct an empirical research project (e.g., an observational study, survey, or experiment) that is commensurate with the standards in their field and then report their findings in a formal research paper. There are countless research topics to choose from and students are encouraged to explore their interests. It is also possible to take part in a faculty member’s research project and to use that project as a basis for your honors thesis. In general, an honors thesis must be supervised by a faculty member who has an understanding of the subject you plan to research; students who plan to conduct research in their area of specialization should work with a faculty member from the department that oversees the area of specialization. Students who research a business-related topic should find a business faculty advisor and follow the honors thesis guidelines established by their advisor’s department. Find a faculty supervisor for your project.
Students should have their faculty supervisor email the Honors Coordinator to indicate they have agreed to supervise the thesis. In addition, students must obtain the approval of the Honors Coordinator for their project via the Heavener School of Business Undergraduate Honors Thesis Application. If approved, the Honors Coordinator will enroll you in GEB 4970 which is a one credit honors thesis course that is taken for a Satisfactory(S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade. The faculty supervisor is responsible for determining if your thesis is satisfactory and for emailing your final grade to the Honors Coordinator. The Honors Coordinator will submit your final grade.
Honors Coordinator:
Dr. Erica Studer-Byrnes
Email Dr. Studer-Byrnes
333 Heavener Hall
(352) 273-0165
To graduate with the magna or summa cum laude honors designation, students must conduct an empirical research project (e.g., an observational study, survey, or experiment) that is commensurate with the standards in their field and then report their findings in a formal research paper. There are countless research topics to choose from and students are encouraged to explore their interests. It is also possible to take part in a faculty member’s research project and to use that project as a basis for your honors thesis. In general, an honors thesis must be supervised by a faculty member who has an understanding of the subject you plan to research. Find a faculty supervisor for your project.
In addition to securing a faculty advisor, students must obtain departmental approval for their project from the management department in 201 Stuzin Hall via the Heavener School of Business Undergraduate Honors Thesis Application. If your project is approved, the management department will register you for MAN 4970, which is a one credit honors thesis course that is taken for a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade. You are expected to enroll in this course by the end of the drop/add period. The faculty supervisor is responsible for determining if your thesis is satisfactory and for notifying the Honors Coordinator of your final grade. The Honors Coordinator will submit your final grade.
Department of Management Honors Coordinator:
Dr. Mo Wang
Email Dr. Wang
211D Stuzin Hall
(352) 846-2054
To graduate with the magna or summa cum laude honors designation, students must conduct either an empirical research project (e.g., an observational study, survey, or experiment) or a literature review that is commensurate with the standards in their field and then report their findings in a formal research paper. In practice, most students opt to write a literature review, typically 20-25 pages in length. There are countless research topics to choose from and students are encouraged to explore their interests. It is also possible to take part in a faculty member’s research project and to use that project as a basis for your honors thesis. In general, an honors thesis must be supervised by a faculty member who has an understanding of the subject you plan to research. Find a faculty supervisor for your project.
In addition to securing a faculty advisor, students must obtain departmental approval for their project from the marketing department in 210 Bryan Hall via the Heavener School of Business Undergraduate Honors Thesis Application. If your project is approved, the marketing department will register you for MAR 4970 which is a one credit honors thesis course that is taken for a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade. You are expected to enroll in this course by the end of the drop/add period. The faculty supervisor is responsible for determining if your thesis is satisfactory and for notifying the Honors Coordinator of your final grade. The Honors Coordinator will submit your final grade.
Department of Marketing Honors Coordinator:
Dr. Alan Cooke
Email Dr. Cooke
267 Stuzin Hall
(352) 392-0161
Honors Thesis Deadline and Submission Process
Please submit the final version of your honors thesis to your faculty advisor for approval by the University’s published deadline.
Next, please review the instructions for how to submit the final version of your honors thesis to UF Libraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dean’s List Requirements
- How do I make the Dean’s List?
To make the Dean’s List in the fall or spring semester, business majors must complete 12-14 hours (no S-U courses) with a 3.70+ GPA or 15 hours (no S-U courses) with a 3.5+ GPA.
Honors Requirements
- What kinds of grades do I need to graduate with honors?
If your catalog year is 2003 or later, you must earn a 3.5 UF, core, and major or area of specialization GPA to graduate cum laude; a 3.7+ UF, core, and major or area of specialization GPA to graduate magna cum laude; and a 3.9+ UF, core, and major or area of specialization GPA to graduate summa cum laude. You must also complete an honors thesis to earn the magna or summa cum laude designation.
- Do I have to write a thesis to graduate with honors?
To graduate cum laude, you do not have to write an honors thesis. To graduate magna or summa cum laude, you must complete an honors thesis.
- What’s involved in completing an honors thesis?
To complete an honors thesis, you must find a professor who will oversee your work, register for a one credit honors thesis course, and then complete an honors thesis/research paper by the end of the term in which you will graduate. Each business major has its own specific set of honors thesis requirements.
- Why should I complete an honors thesis?
Completing an honors thesis will allow you to gain in depth knowledge of your field and develop a relationship with a professor who can write a valuable letter of recommendation for you. You will also have the words magna or summa cum laude on your diploma (and resume). Finally, if you are selected to participate in the University Scholars Program (USP) you can use the required research paper for USP to fulfill your honors thesis requirement and you will receive a $1,750 award.