The Division of Continuing Studies

General Studies

Academic Standards

Degrees Awarded with Distinction: The School of Continuing Studies recognizes outstanding performance in course work by awarding degrees with three levels of distinction: distinction, high distinction, and highest distinction. In order to graduate with distinction students must have 30 graded IU credit hours for the A.A.G.S. degree and 60 graded IU credit hours for the B.G.S. degree. (Pass/fail and Self-Acquired Competency credits and courses not applicable to the degrees (e.g., remedial courses) are not counted in calculating the number of credit hours.) Courses with S grades (not Self-Acquired Competency) are counted in these 30/60 hours. The levels of distinction, which are printed on both the student transcript and IU diploma, are determined by the overall cumulative grade point average of each graduating class and generally approximates the following GPA: 3.50-3.74, Distinction; 3.75-3.89, High Distinction; and 3.90-4.00, Highest Distinction.