Key to abbreviations and honors

Learn about academic traditions

 

Celebrating the class of 2025

The ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ will honor the Class of 2025 during its 103rd commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3, at 1 p.m. at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks.

 


Academic degree abbreviations

A.A. 
Associate of Arts
A.A.S. 
Associate of Applied Science
A.S. 
Associate of Science
B.A. 
Bachelor of Arts
B.A.A.S. 
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
B.A.M. 
Bachelor of Applied Management
B.B.A. 
Bachelor of Business Administration
B.E.M. 
Bachelor of Emergency Management
B.F.A. 
Bachelor of Fine Arts
B.M. 
Bachelor of Music
B.S. 
Bachelor of Science
B.S.E.M. 
Bachelor of Security and Emergency Management
B.S.R.B. 
Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Business
Cert. 
Certificate
Gr. Cert. 
Graduate Certificate
M.A. 
Master of Arts
MBA 
Master of Business Administration
M.Ed. 
Master of Education
M.F.A. 
Master of Fine Arts
M.N.R.E. 
Master of Natural Resources Environment
M.S. 
Master of Science
M.S.D.M. 
Master of Security and Disaster Management
O.H.M. 
One Health Master's
Ph.D. 
Doctor of Philosophy
 

* Denotes summer degree recipient

** Denotes fall degree recipient

 


Sashes, stoles and cords

  • Red sashes signify ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Native and Native American graduates.
  • Blue sashes signify Community and Technical College students.
  • Red, white and blue honor cords pay tribute to active-duty service members, veterans and Gold Star families of the U. S. armed forces.
  • Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society graduates wear either a white stole with an orange logo or an orange and white cord.
  • Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society graduates wear a blue and gold stole.
  • Student-athletes wear a blue sash with the ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Nanooks logo.
  • International students may wear a sash recognizing their home country.
  • Graduates who are the first in their family to earn a baccalaureate degree wear teal cords.
  • Graduates who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community wear rainbow cords.

 


Honors recognition

Graduation with Honors

Associate and baccalaureate degree students who graduated with honors in August and December and candidates for graduation in May wear a gold honor cord or sash for summa cum laude honors. Cumulative grade point averages required for graduating with honors are:

Summa cum laude 
3.9 or higher 
Magna cum laude 
3.75–3.89
Cum laude 
3.5–3.74

Honors College

The Honors College graduation designation requires exceptional aptitude, academic performance and achievement in a challenging course of study. Honors students complete credits in specially designed courses and an honors capstone/senior thesis. Honors Thesis Scholars earned 12 honors credits and wear a long blue-trimmed and striped gold sash with a single blue and gold honor cord. University Honors Scholars earned 27 honors credits and wear the same sash with a double blue and gold honor cord.

Golden Key Honour Society

Golden Key is an international student-run service organization committed to meeting the needs of scholastic achievers. Members wear a gold medallion on a blue and gold ribbon, a gold satin sash with a blue logo, or a blue and gold honor cord.

Student Leadership Honors and Leadership Distinction

Student Leadership Honors recognition is granted to students who have made significant contributions to enhancing the mission of UAF, the surrounding community and the promotion of student life. Students receiving this recognition wear a burgundy honor cord. Graduation with Leadership Distinction recognition is granted to students who have displayed a commitment of excellence to themselves, UAF and their community. Students receiving this recognition wear a silver honor cord.

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi promotes the pursuit of excellence and the recognition of outstanding achievement. Membership is limited to the top students of each graduating class. Members wear a blue ribbon and a medallion bearing the symbolic seal of the society.

Climate Scholars

Climate Scholars engage in a highly interdisciplinary course of environmental education and engage in experiential opportunities throughout ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ that hone a firsthand knowledge of how the environment is rapidly changing and what communities and scientists are doing to shore up a better future for tomorrow. Students receiving this recognition will wear a twisted cord of green and blue.