Academic Honors

Honors are based on all grades earned at Gordon College or on programs for which Gordon College awards the academic program (such as Gordon in Aix, Orvieto, Outdoor Education Immersion or Boston semesters or programs of the Council of Christian Colleges & Universities).

A. J. Gordon Scholars. Students are selected during a competitive admissions process, based on academic excellence and promise of achievement and leadership. At least a 3.25 GPA must be maintained.

Term Honors:

• Dean's List. To qualify for the dean's list for a given semester, students must carry at least 12 credits (not counting satisfactory/unsatisfactory courses) with an average of 3.50-3.74 and no grade below C.
• Presidential Honors. To qualify for presidential honors for a given semester, students must carry at least 12 credits (not counting satisfactory/unsatisfactory courses) with an average of 3.75 or better and no grade below C.

Kenneth L. Pike Honors Program
Exceptional students are invited to apply to become a Pike Scholar with an opportunity to complete unique academic goals through individualized, interdisciplinary programs of study. A 3.5 cumulate GPA must be maintained. See Honors Programs to left.

Graduation Honors:

• Departmental Honors. Many majors encourage students maintaining a 3.50 GPA in their major with an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00 to graduate with departmental honors. A substantial research project, presented and defended to faculty, is generally required. See departmental listings. Departmental honors are available in:  accounting, business administration, chemistry, combined languages, computer science, economics, English, finance, French, German, history, international affairs, kinesiology, mathematics, physics, political studies, sociology, Spanish and youth ministries.
• Latin Honors. Honors listed in the commencement program are computed on Gordon grades earned through the fall semester. Final graduation honors are awarded to students who have completed a minimum of 42 credits at Gordon and who have the following final cumulative grade point averages:
  Summa cum laude: 3.75 to 4.0
  Magna cum laude: 3.60 to 3.74
  Cum laude: 3.50 to 3.59

Phi Alpha Chi
Phi Alpha Chi was founded at Gordon in 1928 as a scholastic honor society. The Greek letters stand for Philoi Aletheias Christou-Lovers of the Truth of Christ. On the foundation of its evangelical commitment, Phi Alpha Chi is dedicated to the encouragement and recognition of scholarly research, clear thinking and creativity by Christians in every discipline. Persons eligible for membership must be graduating seniors who have pursued studies at Gordon for at least four semesters and who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher. Christian character, creative ability, curriculum and promise of distinctive achievement as a Christian are considered as supplementary criteria.

Phi Sigma Iota
The Zeta Chapter of Phi Sigma Iota, the national honor society in foreign languages, was established at Gordon in 1978. It recognizes outstanding achievement in upper level courses in any foreign language and linguistics. Membership is by invitation only.

Sigma Delta Pi
The Eta Omicron Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the national honor society in Spanish, was established at Gordon in March 1969, the 183rd chapter in the country and the first chapter in Massachusetts. Membership is by invitation only and is limited to advanced Spanish students.