Students in the College of Arts and Sciences are among the best and brightest at Indiana University. Every day they uphold the College's long tradition of academic excellence as they distinguish themselves in the classroom, the lab, the studio, and beyond.
The College recognizes outstanding academic performance with honors such as the executive dean's list, degrees with distinction, and more.
Most College departments offer honors programs that allow students to pursue independent study and research during their junior and senior years. Students typically apply for admission to an honors program during the second semester of their sophomore year or first semester of their junior year.
To be admitted to an honors program, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 in the College as well as the approval of your department's chairperson or honors committee. You must maintain this minimum GPA to graduate with honors.
If you're interested in participating in an honors program, talk with your department's chairperson or honors advisor as soon as possible.
Each semester the College publishes the executive dean's list to recognize students who have demonstrated academic excellence.
Browse the list
The College recognizes outstanding academic performance by awarding bachelor’s degrees with three levels of distinction: distinction, high distinction, and highest distinction.
Minimum GPAs are 3.7 for distinction, 3.8 for high distinction, and 3.9 for highest distinction. You must have a minimum of 60 graded credit hours at IU to be considered for a degree with distinction.
Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious national academic honor society in the United States. Election to Phi Beta Kappa is the highest honor that can be conferred on an undergraduate in the liberal arts and sciences.
IU's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, Gamma of Indiana, was established in 1911. Twice each year, faculty electors who are also Phi Beta Kappa members review the academic records of the College's senior degree candidates and recent bachelor's degree recipients and elect students to membership in Phi Beta Kappa.
IU's most accomplished undergraduates, including students in the College of Arts and Sciences, are invited to enter the Hutton Honors College, which offers special opportunities for high-achieving students.
IU's most academically distinguished undergraduates receive the designation of Founders Scholar and are honored at an annual event, the IU Bloomington Honors Convocation.
To be designated a Founders Scholar, an undergraduate degree-seeking student must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 or above by the end of the fall term immediately preceding the Honors Convocation.
