Magna cum Laude

What is Magna cum Laude?

Magna Cum Laude refers to “with great distinction or praise”. Basically, the term is used for the academic award or certification that’s awarded to someone with academic excellence. It is often used by universities and educational institutions to specify that a particular academic certification was achieved with distinction. This academic degree is commonly used in the United States for students that give excellent performance in academics.

Not only in the US, but Magna Cum Laude is used in many countries to mark the academic degree with great distinction. Two similar degrees that are used for academic excellence in the United States are cum laude and Summa Cum Laude. As the name suggests, these titles are in the Latin forms. Summa cum Laude is considered to be the most prestigious academic degree for students. Each educational institution has specific requirements and eligibility criteria that must be met to achieve the distinctions. The criteria could vary by the educational institution. These distinctions are quite common in high schools as well as universities & colleges.

Eligibility Criteria for Magna cum Laude

Usually, the students receive these Latin honors with a bachelor’s degree. If the student has completed their graduation with the Latin honors, then they get to wear the stole representing the particular distinction they have earned from the institution. In some universities, their name is being called with their Latin honors during the commencement ceremony. The institution mentions the honors the student earns in their transcripts.

As mentioned above, there is a specific criterion each school follows when it comes to providing the students with Latin honors. The most common factors that the institution takes into consideration when awarding these honors are the GPA (grade point average) and the rank of the student. Total completed hours as well the overall performance of the student in academics also matter when it comes to Magna Cum Laude. The three distinctions might be consistent, but the exact requirements for earning these distinctions could vary.

Some colleges can offer a Magna cum Laude degree and other honors without considering the GPA Factor. Some schools require the faculty to offer the letter of recommendation for students, while others ask students to submit the honor thesis for the distinction.

The Significance of Magna cum Laude

It is quite difficult to determine the value of the three distinctions (including Magna cum Laude) in terms of a job application. A student with one of these Latin distinctions does not necessarily get a job in a reputable or a famous organization. However, these degrees increase their chances of getting admission to the best graduate school or a company (if they are competing with other students that do not hold these distinctions).

These Latin diplomas can set your job resume apart from other applicants. Besides that, the law school and other institutions make it mandatory for the students to have a Latin diploma as an undergraduate. They can’t apply for admission to these universities without a distinction degree.