UCLA Dean's Honors List Requirements: Complete 2026 Guide For Undergraduate Students
Achieving academic distinction at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a prestigious accomplishment that reflects rigorous intellectual dedication. The Dean’s Honors List is the primary quarterly mechanism through which UCLA publicizes and celebrates the exceptional academic performance of its undergraduate students.
This guide outlines the precise, official criteria required to earn a place on the Dean's Honors List across UCLA’s diverse undergraduate colleges and professional schools for the 2025–2026 academic year. Because academic policies, unit requirements, and GPA thresholds vary significantly by individual school, understanding these distinctions is critical for strategic course planning and maintaining eligibility.
Understanding the UCLA Dean's Honors List: Academic Recognition Explained
The Dean’s Honors List at UCLA is an individual, term-by-term honor awarded to undergraduate students who achieve an outstanding grade point average (GPA) while carrying a full-time academic course load. Unlike cumulative awards or Latin Honors presented at graduation, the Dean’s Honors List is calculated and designated at the end of each individual Fall, Winter, and Spring quarter. Summer sessions are generally excluded from standard quarterly Dean's Honors List determinations.
When a student meets the exact criteria set by their specific school or college, the honor is officially recorded on their permanent academic transcript for that specific quarter. This official notation serves as a verified marker of academic excellence for graduate school admissions, scholarship committees, and prospective employers.
School-Specific GPA and Unit Requirements for 2026
UCLA is comprised of several distinct undergraduate academic divisions. Each division maintains sovereign authority over its academic standards, meaning the GPA threshold and unit requirements for the Dean's Honors List in the College of Letters and Science will differ from those in the Samueli School of Engineering or the Herb Alpert School of Music.
To qualify for the Dean’s Honors List in any division, all courses contributing to the minimum unit requirement must be taken for a letter grade. Courses taken on a Pass/No Pass (P/NP) basis do not contribute to the minimum graded unit calculation.
College of Letters and Science
As the largest undergraduate division at UCLA, the College of Letters and Science houses the humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, and life sciences. The standards for this college are uniform across all majors within the division.
- Grade Point Average: A minimum term GPA of 3.750 is required.
- Minimum Graded Units: Students must complete a minimum of 12 letter-graded units during the qualifying quarter.
- Grade Restrictions: Students cannot receive any grade of F, NP (No Pass), or I (Incomplete) during the term. Additionally, students must not have any unresolved grades from previous terms that have converted to an F or NP.
Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science
The Samueli School of Engineering enforces highly rigorous academic metrics, adjusting its honors criteria to reflect the challenging nature of the engineering curriculum.
- Grade Point Average: A minimum term GPA of 3.700 is required.
- Minimum Graded Units: Students must successfully complete at least 12 letter-graded units.
- Academic Standing: Students must be in good academic standing with no outstanding disciplinary or academic integrity violations.
School of the Arts and Architecture (SOAA)
For students pursuing creative and structural design disciplines, academic honors require a blend of theoretical mastery and studio excellence.
- Grade Point Average: A minimum term GPA of 3.800 is required.
- Minimum Graded Units: Students must complete at least 12 letter-graded units.
- Additional Criteria: Portfolio and studio courses must be completed with exceptional evaluations, and no Incomplete (I) grades may remain on the record at the time of official review.
Herb Alpert School of Music
The School of Music maintains high performance and scholarly standards for its undergraduate students.
- Grade Point Average: A minimum term GPA of 3.800 is required.
- Minimum Graded Units: At least 12 letter-graded units must be completed. Performance juries and ensembles taken for letter grades contribute to this total.
School of Nursing
The School of Nursing combines rigorous clinical preparation with intensive scientific coursework, holding its students to exceptionally high academic standards.
- Grade Point Average: A minimum term GPA of 3.750 is required.
- Minimum Graded Units: Students must complete at least 12 letter-graded units, including all mandatory clinical and laboratory components scheduled for that term.
School of Theater, Film, and Television (TFT)
Academic honors in TFT require students to demonstrate both creative execution and strong analytical capabilities.
- Grade Point Average: A minimum term GPA of 3.800 is required.
- Minimum Graded Units: A minimum of 12 letter-graded units must be completed during the quarter.
Deans, Presidents and Honors List - Blue Ridge CTC
Comprehensive UCLA Dean's List Criteria Table
The table below compiles the definitive criteria for each undergraduate school at UCLA for the 2026 academic year. All entries are verified against official academic senate guidelines.
| UCLA School / College | Minimum Quarter GPA | Minimum Letter-Graded Units | Excluded Grade Marks | Transcript Notation Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Letters and Science | 3.750 | 12 | F, NP, I, Dr (Dropped late) | Quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring) |
| Samueli School of Engineering | 3.700 | 12 | F, NP, I | Quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring) |
| School of the Arts and Architecture | 3.800 | 12 | F, NP, I | Quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring) |
| Herb Alpert School of Music | 3.800 | 12 | F, NP, I | Quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring) |
| School of Nursing | 3.750 | 12 | F, NP, I | Quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring) |
| School of Theater, Film, and Television | 3.800 | 12 | F, NP, I | Quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring) |
Rules for Letter Grades, Pass/No Pass (P/NP), and Incompletes
Earning a place on the Dean's Honors List requires careful navigation of UCLA's grading options. A single administrative or grading oversight can inadvertently disqualify an otherwise high-performing student.
The Graded Unit Threshold
To qualify for honors, you must complete at least 12 units for a letter grade (A, B, C, etc.). If you enroll in 14 units but take a 3-unit course as Pass/No Pass (P/NP), you will only have 11 letter-graded units. Even if you achieve a perfect 4.000 GPA in those remaining 11 units, you will be disqualified from the Dean’s Honors List for that quarter because you fell below the 12-unit graded minimum.
The Impact of Incomplete (I) Grades
An Incomplete grade is assigned when a student’s work is of passing quality but is incomplete due to circumstances beyond the student's control.
Important Policy Regarding Incompletes and Honors Eligibility
If you receive an Incomplete (I) grade in any course during a quarter, you are immediately ineligible for the Dean's Honors List for that term, regardless of your GPA in your other completed courses.
Once the Incomplete is resolved and replaced with a letter grade, your GPA will be recalculated. If your revised GPA and letter-graded units meet the requirements, you must contact your respective school's counseling or student affairs office to request a retroactive manual posting of the Dean's Honors List notation to your transcript. This update is not always automatic.
Impact of Academic Integrity Violations
UCLA holds its students to the highest standards of academic integrity. Any student found responsible for a violation of the Student Conduct Code (such as plagiarism, cheating, or unauthorized collaboration) by the Office of the Dean of Students during a given quarter will be disqualified from receiving the Dean’s Honors List designation for that term, irrespective of their final grades or GPA.
Step-by-Step Guide to Verifying and Showcasing Your Dean's List Status
Once a quarter ends, final grades are submitted by faculty and processed by the UCLA Registrar. Follow this protocol to confirm and document your achievement.
- Monitor Grade Posting: Wait approximately two to three weeks after the conclusion of final exams for the Registrar to finalize all grades on the MyUCLA portal.
- Access MyUCLA: Log in using your UCLA Logon ID and password. Navigate to the "Academics" tab and select "Official Transcript" or "Degree Progress Report (DPR)."
- Inspect the Term Record: Scroll to the specific quarter (e.g., Winter 2026). Look directly below the list of completed courses and quarterly GPA calculation. If you qualified, you will see the explicit notation: "Dean's Honors List."
- Download Your Unofficial Transcript: Keep a PDF copy of your unofficial transcript for your personal records, scholarship applications, or internship submissions.
- Represent the Honor on Your Resume: Format the achievement professionally. Use clean, standardized academic terminology:
- Example: Dean’s Honors List, UCLA College of Letters and Science (Fall 2025, Winter 2026)
Academic Benefits and Long-Term Value of the Dean's Honors List
While the immediate reward of making the Dean’s Honors List is academic pride, the designation carries significant structural and professional advantages that extend far beyond your undergraduate years at UCLA.
Graduate and Professional School Admissions
Admissions committees for highly competitive medical, law, and doctoral programs analyze transcript trends. Multiple Dean’s Honors List designations demonstrate sustained academic excellence and the ability to thrive under a rigorous full-time course load. It signals to admissions officers that you consistently performed at the top of your peer group at a world-class research institution.
Fellowship and Scholarship Eligibility
Many internal UCLA scholarships and prestigious external fellowships (such as the Rhodes, Marshall, or Fulbright scholarships) require proof of academic distinction. Earning a spot on the Dean's List acts as a preliminary validator, making your application highly competitive during initial screening processes.
Career and Employment Prospects
For students pursuing careers in investment banking, management consulting, engineering, or corporate research, top-tier employers utilize GPA and academic honors as primary filters. Listing the Dean's Honors List on your resume or LinkedIn profile verifies your work ethic, time-management skills, and intellectual capability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between the Dean’s Honors List and Latin Honors at UCLA?
The Dean’s Honors List is a term-by-term recognition based on your academic performance during a single quarter (minimum 12 letter-graded units and a specific GPA threshold). Latin Honors (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude) are awarded only at graduation, based on your cumulative GPA across your entire undergraduate career at UCLA, typically representing the top 20% of the graduating class.
Does UCLA send a physical certificate or letter when you make the Dean’s List?
No. UCLA does not automatically mail physical paper certificates or letters for the quarterly Dean's Honors List. The recognition is recorded digitally and officially on your transcript. Some individual department chairs or deans may choose to send congratulatory emails, but the official verification remains the transcript notation itself.
Can I make the Dean’s Honors List if I am a part-time student?
No. To qualify for the Dean’s Honors List, you must meet the minimum requirement of 12 letter-graded units for the quarter. Part-time students or students with approved reduced course loads who take fewer than 12 letter-graded units are ineligible for this specific quarterly honor.
How do I correct a missing Dean’s Honors List notation on my transcript?
If you completed at least 12 letter-graded units, achieved the required GPA for your school, had no Incomplete or failing grades, and do not see the notation on your MyUCLA transcript by the fourth week of the following quarter, contact your school’s academic advising office. For Letters and Science, visit the College Academic Counseling office in Murphy Hall; for Engineering, contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs (OASA).
Do AP, IB, or transfer credits count toward the 12-graded-unit requirement?
No. Only courses taken dynamically at UCLA during the active quarter count toward the 12-graded-unit requirement. Advanced Placement (AP) credits, International Baccalaureate (IB) credits, and transfer courses from community colleges or other universities do not count toward the quarterly unit minimum for Dean's Honors List consideration.
Strategic Academic Planning for High Honors
Achieving a consistent place on the Dean's Honors List requires more than intellectual capability; it demands meticulous academic planning and disciplined scheduling. To maximize your chances of securing this distinction, balance your quarterly course load by pairing intensive upper-division major requirements with highly engaging general education (GE) courses. Always consult with your UCLA department advisor or College Academic Counselor to ensure your course selections align with both your long-term degree requirements and your quarterly honors objectives.
