Undergraduate Honors

Stanford recognizes exceptional undergraduate academic achievement with the following honors designations upon recommendation of a major department or program:

Distinction

In recognition of high scholastic attainment, the University awards the Bachelor’s Degree with Distinction. Distinction is awarded to 15% of the graduating class based on cumulative grade point averages calculated at the end of Winter Quarter. Distinction is noted on both the transcript and diploma.

Departmental Honors Programs

Note: Departmental honors must be declared and approved no later than the application to graduate deadline for the term in which the student intends to graduate.

In recognition of successful completion of special advanced work, departments may recommend their students for honors in the major. Departmental honors programs demand independent creative work at an advanced level in addition to major requirements. Departmental honors programs are not available in every academic department. Departmental honors is noted on both the transcript and diploma.

If you want to declare departmental honors, log on to Axess. You will submit a request to the department in which you want to pursue departmental honors. The department will inform you of their decision whether to accept you into the honors program.

You should contact the department directly to determine if any other requirements must be fulfilled to process your departmental honors declaration request.

Interdisciplinary Honors Programs

Note: Interdisciplinary honors must be declared and approved no later than the application to graduate deadline for the term in which the student intends to graduate.

In recognition of successful completion of honors program requirements by undergraduates, the following interdisciplinary programs can recommend students majoring in any department for honors in their program:

• Arts
•  Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
•  Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL)
•  Education
•  Environmental Science, Technology, and Policy
•  Ethics in Society
•  Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
•  International Security Studies (CISAC)
•  Latin American Studies

The interdisciplinary programs are designed to complement study in any departmental major.

If you want to declare interdisciplinary honors, log on to Axess.Submit a request to the department in which you want to pursue interdisciplinary honors. The department informs you of their decision whether to accept you into the honors program.

You should contact the department directly to determine if any other requirements must be fulfilled to process your interdisciplinary honors declaration request.