Academic Honors

Undergraduate 

Dean's List

Undergraduates who complete the fall, spring, or summer terms with a 3.6 GPA or higher are named to the Dean's List, provided they have completed at least three courses (nine or more points) for a letter grade. Disciplinary probation, as well as marks of W, F, or D, disqualify a student from consideration. Students who receive the grade of IN (incomplete), approved in advance by the Committee on Academic Standing, are eligible for Dean’s List only after all IN grades are changed to letter grades. Those receiving the mark of YC (year course) will be eligible for Dean's List status only after the grade for the entire year's coursework is awarded. Students who have been found responsible by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for a violation of academic integrity are not eligible for the Dean's List during any semester into which the term of the sanction extends.

Honor Society

The Honor Society of the School of General Studies was formed to celebrate exceptional GS undergraduates committed to intellectual discovery and academic excellence. The only group of its kind at the University, the Honor Society fosters a community of scholars, providing a unique opportunity for students to interact with other members, faculty associates, and alumni. Criteria for membership include a GPA of at least 3.8, a minimum of 30 completed Columbia points, a minimum of 60 total completed points, and good academic and disciplinary standing. Candidates for Honor Society membership, i.e., those who meet the minimum criteria, are evaluated holistically. Students may not apply for membership.

School (Latin) Honors

The designations cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude are academic honors determined by an undergraduate student's cumulative GPA at the time of graduation based on coursework completed at Columbia University once a student has matriculated within the School of General Studies. The honor is noted on a student's diploma and transcript.

Beginning with the conferral of degrees in February 2021, the School of General Studies awards Latin Honors in the following way: the top five percent of the graduating class by GPA receives the award summa cum laude, the next ten percent receives the award magna cum laude, and the next ten percent receives the award cum laude. No more than 25% of the graduating class overall may receive Latin Honors. Students are notified if they have received Latin Honors via an email sent a few weeks following degree conferral. 

Departmental Honors

Many departments award honors to undergraduate majors who complete their major requirements with distinction. Eligibility for departmental honors varies among departments; students should consult individual departments for further information. Departmental honors are noted on a student's transcript but not on the diploma. Departmental honors are not given for concentrations. 

Phi Beta Kappa

By action of the Senate of the United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa in March 1952, degree candidates in the School of General Studies are eligible for election to Phi Beta Kappa and membership in the Columbia (Delta) Chapter. The selection of this group (up to ten percent of the graduating class) is based not only on academic achievement, but also on evidence of intellectual promise, character, and achievement outside the classroom. Academic achievement is measured by strength and rigor of program as well as grades and faculty recommendations. Students may not apply for Phi Beta Kappa.

As with school prizes, October and February graduates are considered along with students graduating in May. Election to Phi Beta Kappa is noted on a student's transcript.

The General Studies Section of the Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa annually presents the Phi Beta Kappa Award to a GS senior elected to Phi Beta Kappa who, during their academic career, has best exemplified intellectual integrity, tolerance for others' views, and a broad range of academic interests.

School Prizes

Each year the School of General Studies awards prizes for academic excellence as well as outstanding leadership. Current prizes include the following:

  • The Albert E. Gollin Prize, awarded to a junior with promising talent in sociology, media, or journalism

  • The Medaglia D'Oro Prize for excellence in Italian studies

  • The John Angus Burrell Memorial Prize for distinction in English and comparative literature

  • The Arthur Ross Foundation Award for excellence in political science

  • The Benedetto Marraro Prize for distinction in Italian studies

  • The Antonio G. Mier Prize for excellence in Spanish

  • The Stacy M. and Russell D. Paul Prize for excellence in the study of psychology

  • The Jennifer A. Pack Prize for excellence in the study of psychology

  • The Lillian L. Hacker Prize for excellence in the study of sociology

  • The Judith Lee Stronach Memorial Prize for outstanding contributions in art history or archaeology

  • The Dean's Citation for leadership and outstanding service to the School (for graduating seniors only)

  • The Alumni Key Award for academic achievement and outstanding service to the School (for graduating seniors only)

  • The Dean's Prize in Economics for excellence in the study of economics

  • The Dean's Prize in Anthropology for excellence in the study of anthropology

  • The Dean's Prize in Creative Writing for excellence in the study of creative writing

  • The Herbert H. Lehman Prize for Excellence in history, given to a student with an outstanding record of accomplishment in history courses at Columbia (preference is given to those with substantial coursework in U.S. History)

  • The Phi Beta Kappa Award for outstanding scholarship

Department Prizes

Each year, academic departments may award prizes to eligible juniors or graduating seniors for academic excellence or exemplary contributions or service to the department. Over the past few years, GS students have been awarded the following departmental prizes:

  • Senior Thesis Prize in Art History and Archaeology for a senior thesis of superior distinction
  • The Bridges and Sturtevant Prize in Biological Sciences for highly original and fruitful research in biological sciences
  • Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race (CSER) Award for Academic Excellence for excellence in ethnicity and race studies
  • Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race (CSER) Award for an outstanding senior thesis in ethnicity and race studies
  • Brian Brent Award for an outstanding undergraduate teaching assistant in chemistry
  • Theodore R. Bashkow Award for excellence in a computer science project
  • Computer Science Scholarship Award for outstanding academic achievement
  • Jonathan L. Gross Award for academic excellence in computer science
  • Andrew P. Kosoresow Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service for outstanding contributions to teaching in the Department of Computer Science and exemplary service to the department and its mission
  • Russell C. Mills Award for excellence in the study of computer science
  • Dasha Amsterdam Epstein Award for the best undergraduate essay written in the fields of theory, criticism, and research in theatre
  • Walter Pitman Senior Thesis Award for the best thesis paper in earth science or environmental science
  • Oscar Lee Award for a senior thesis of distinction in the field of East Asian studies
  • Romine Prize for the best senior thesis paper or best paper in a senior seminar in economics
  • Pat Anderson Prize in Film Criticism for an essay of distinction in the field of film criticism
  • Guy Gallo Memorial Award in Screenwriting
  • Andrew Sarris Memorial Award for Film Criticism 
  • Junior Promise in French Studies for excellence in the study of French
  • Charles A. Beard Prize for a senior thesis of distinction in any historical field or period
  • Lily Prize for the best senior thesis in history on a non-U.S. topic
  • Garrett Mattingly Prize for a senior thesis of distinction in any historical field or period
  • Undergraduate Education Committee Prize for a thesis of excellence written in any field of history
  • Phyllis Stevens Sharp Fellowship in American Politics for research in American politics or policymaking
  • Peter Awn Undergraduate Prize for most outstanding paper or project in an undergraduate course in religion
  • Stuart Gaffin Award for Leadership and Engagement for demonstrated leadership and service in the spirit of sustainable development
  • Queer Studies Award for excellence in research and writing in queer studies

Postbac Premed

Dean’s List

Students who complete the fall or spring terms with a 3.6 G.P.A. or higher are named to the Dean’s List, provided they have completed at least 7.5 points of required premedical course work for letter grades and have earned no grade below a B. A mark of AR, IN or W disqualifies a student from consideration. A student found responsible by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for a violation of academic integrity is not eligible for the Dean's List during the term of the sanction. There is no Dean's List for the summer term.