Academic Policy
Graduation with Academic Distinction
In the Indiana University schools, students in the top 10 percent of their class are awarded bachelor's degrees with three levels of distinction: distinction; high distinction; and highest distinction. The level of distinction is determined by the overall Indiana University GPA, and the specific minimum GPA requirements are determined each year by the individual schools. Students must have taken 60 graded credit hours at Indiana University. The level of distinction is printed on both the final transcript and the diploma. At commencement ceremonies, these graduates wear cream and/or crimson cords, depending on the level of distinction.
In the Purdue schools, students receiving Purdue degrees receive high and highest distinction, while geology students who receive IU degrees may be awarded distinction, high distinction, and highest distinction. To be eligible, candidates must complete all their degree programs' requirements and meet the following conditions: (1) a minimum of 65 credit hours of course work from Purdue University or Indiana University applicable to the graduation index (degree grade point average) must be on record; (2) the minimum graduation index for distinction (Purdue and IU degrees) shall be no less than the 90th percentile of the graduation indexes of all the graduates in the school for the spring semester, provided that the index is at least 3.30. The minimum graduation indexes determined for the spring semester for graduation with distinction, high distinction, and highest distinction shall be applied for graduation with those respective levels of distinction for the subsequent summer sessions and fall semester. At Commencement ceremonies, these graduates wear black and/or gold cords. Consult the sections for the School of Engineering and Technology and the School of Science for more information.
