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Undergraduate Catalog > University Policies and Procedures > About Thomas Edison State University > Academic Honors

Academic Honors

Thomas Edison State University awards academic honors at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Eligibility for all awards and honor societies is determined at graduation automatically. Students do not have to apply to be considered. There are academic awards and honors that are awarded by the University as well as those for which a graduate is determined to be eligible to apply if they wish to apply for membership. 

The following awards and honor societies are awarded directly by Thomas Edison State University and the award/honor society is recorded on the permanent Thomas Edison State University academic record/transcript*. Graduates do not need to apply for the award or for honor society membership. Recipients are permitted to wear the academic award and honors cords/pins provided by the University at Commencement.

*The President’s List is not recorded on the transcript.

THE PRESIDENT’S LIST FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

The President’s List distinction is bestowed on undergraduate program students who exhibit a commitment to academic excellence during their degree journey. Students qualifying for the President’s List must:

• Be an enrolled undergraduate student with a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) for the current term
• Be in satisfactory academic standing
• Complete a minimum of 6 graded credits within a specific term

Students who make the President’s List four times and become certified for graduation, qualify for the President’s Award.

 

THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

To promote and reward the highest level of academic achievement, the President’s Award is reserved for undergraduate program students who have consistently displayed superior academic achievement during the course of their degree journey. To qualify for the award, students must:

• Make the President’s List a minimum of four times
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 4.0
• Complete minimum of 24 graded credits at TESU

Undergraduate students receiving the President’s Award will have this extraordinary accomplishment reflected on their permanent record and official transcript. These distinguished students will also be recognized during their respective Commencement ceremonies for their achievement with a special honor cord and a special notation in the Commencement Program book.

 

THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

To recognize consistent academic excellence in students enrolled in graduate-level programs, the President’s Award is reserved for students who have consistently displayed superior academic achievement over the course of their TESU degree journey. To qualify for the award, students must:

• obtain a 4.0 GPA for 6 graded credits in a given term, for at least four terms
• maintain a cumulative GPA of 4.0
• complete a minimum of 24 graded credits at TESU

Graduate students receiving the President’s Award will have this extraordinary accomplishment reflected on their permanent record and official transcript. These distinguished students will also be recognized during their respective Commencement ceremonies for their achievement with a special honor cord and a special notation in the Commencement Program book.

ARNOLD FLETCHER AWARD

Dr. Arnold Fletcher was the University’s first vice president and played an instrumental role developing and leading the institution’s academic enterprise. Under his leadership, Thomas Edison developed its first degree programs, appointed its first Academic Council, created its first exam programs and courses, and became a pioneer in prior learning assessment. The Arnold Fletcher Award recognizes Thomas Edison State University bachelor’s degree graduates for exceptional achievement in online learning. Students must have earned at least 51 percent of their credits through Thomas Edison State University’s online courses with a minimum of 10 courses taken and have earned an overall grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

ALPHA SIGMA LAMBDA NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society was founded in 1945 to recognize undergraduate adult students in higher education who have achieved academic excellence while fulfilling the many responsibilities of family, work, and community services. The Thomas Edison State University Lambda Tau Chapter was established in 1996. For induction into this society students must have an overall Thomas Edison State University undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 and have earned from Thomas Edison State University at least 24 graded credits of which 12 credits are in liberal arts/sciences. Student members are selected only from the top 20 percent of the group of qualified students. 

 

ADDITIONAL HONOR SOCIETIES

Eligibility for membership in the following honor societies is determined by the University. The graduate is notified of eligibility who chooses to join the honor society if he/she wishes to do so. Membership in these honor societies is not automatic, nor is it recorded on the permanent Thomas Edison State University academic record/transcript. Only graduates who have chosen to be members are permitted to wear the academic honors cords/pins provided by the University or honor society at Commencement. 

 

KAPPA DELTA PI HONOR SOCIETY

The Alpha Zeta Epsilon chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) is the International Honor Society in Education at Thomas Edison State University.

Kappa Delta Pi is an honor society that recognizes the academic achievements and professional accomplishments of educators worldwide. Kappa Delta Pi is one of the largest and most prestigious educational honor societies in the world. With more than 500 active chapters, Kappa Delta Pi is dedicated to the ideals of Fidelity to Humanity, Service, Science, and Toil. As part of its goal, KDP recognizes scholarship and enhances the professional development of its members.

While membership is an honor, membership will also afford individuals professional development opportunities with colleagues in education as well as access to membership benefits.

Membership in the University's chapter, Alpha Zeta Epsilon, is open to students in either the Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership program or the Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership program in the Heavin School of Arts, Sciences, and Technology who have maintained a GPA of 3.75 or better.

 

ORDER OF THE SWORD AND SHIELD

The John S. Watson School of Public Service has been approved as a chapter of the Order of the Sword & Shield National Honor Society. Established in 2010, the Order of the Sword & Shield Honor Society is the first academic and professional honor society dedicated exclusively to the disciplines of homeland security, intelligence, emergency management, and protective security. Qualifying students in the School’s Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Master of Science degree in Homeland Security programs are invited to apply for membership.

Students applying to the Sword & Shield Honor Society must meet the following requirements:

• Completed 50 percent of the total number of credits required for degree completion in an undergraduate or graduate-level homeland security degree program;
• Students enrolled in the bachelor’s program must have a cumulative (GPA) of 3.25 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for all credits currently applied to their degree program including transfer credits; or, be in the top 20th percentile of their class.
• Students enrolled in the master’s program must have a cumulative (GPA) of 3.50 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for all credits currently applied to their degree program including transfer credits; or, be in the top 20th percentile of their class.

DELTA MU DELTA INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY IN BUSINESS

The Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business recognizes scholarship and achievement among students in business programs. The creation of Delta Mu Delta follows the tradition of honoring business programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The Thomas Edison State University Omicron Nu Chapter was established in 2018.

Students invited into the Thomas Edison State University Omicron Nu Chapter must meet the following requirements:

• Students must be candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Human Resources Management, or Master of Science in Management;
• Students must have completed at least 24 letter-graded credits with Thomas Edison State University;
• Bachelor's degree students must have a Thomas Edison State University grade point average of at least 3.5 and rank in the upper 20 percent of eligible candidates;
• Master's degree students must have a Thomas Edison State University grade point average of at least 3.85 and rank in the upper 20 percent of eligible candidates.

Thomas Edison State University’s honor society chapter candidate selection is yearly based on the University’s Commencement graduation cycles (December, March, June, and September). Students who meet the eligibility criteria for chapter membership will be notified by the School of Business and Management.

SIGMA BETA DELTA INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

The Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society recognizes scholarship and achievement among students of business, management, and administration. The creation of Sigma Beta Delta follows a 200-year tradition of honoring scholastic achievement in higher education. The Thomas Edison State University Chapter was established in 2009.

Students invited into this society at Thomas Edison State University must meet the following requirements:

• Students must be candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership or Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Studies, Master of Science in Accounting, or Master of Science in Healthcare Management.

• Bachelor degree students must have a Thomas Edison State University grade point average of at least 3.5 and rank in the upper 20% of eligible candidates.
• Master degree students must have a Thomas Edison State University grade point average of at least 3.85 and rank in the upper 20% of eligible candidates. 

Thomas Edison State University’s honor society chapter candidate selection is yearly based on the University’s Commencement graduation cycles (December, March, June, and September). Students who meet the eligibility criteria for chapter membership will be notified by the School of Business and Management.

UPSILON RHO CHAPTER SIGMA INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY OF NURSING

Sigma Theta Tau International was founded in 1922. Its vision is to create a global community of nurses who lead in using scholarship, knowledge, service, and learning to improve the health of the world’s people. The purpose of the society is to recognize superior academic achievement and the development of leadership qualities; to foster high professional standards; to encourage creative work; and to strengthen commitment to the ideals and purposes of the nursing profession.

Students with any history of academic integrity violations are not eligible for any award or honors.

Criteria for membership in the Upsilon Rho Chapter for graduate students are as follows:

• the student must have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• the student must have been certified to graduate during the year (March, June, September or December).

Graduate student candidates may apply for membership by submitting the Graduate Student Application to the chapter by the deadline indicated on the application. Applications are emailed to all eligible graduate students in July. Eligible graduate students who apply and are accepted for membership will receive an invitation via email. 

Students, alumni, and community nurse leaders who would like more information regarding the society may visit https://www.sigmanursing.org/ or for more information on Upsilon Rho Chapter contact the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions at nursing@tesu.edu attention: Upsilon Rho Chapter.