Graduation & Honors
Policy Scope
This policy applies to all College of Allied Health Professions (CAHP) students.
Policy Definitions
Honors – Recognition for outstanding academic achievement
Alpha Eta Society – The Alpha Eta Society is a national honor society for allied health students. The intent of the Society is to promote and recognize scholarly and clinical excellence, leadership, and potential for contributions to the allied health professions. The Society’s motto, “Together We Serve,” is a reflection of the collective role and value of the allied health professions. The honorary was founded in 1973, and the then School of Allied Health Professions at the University of Nebraska Medical Center established a Chapter of the Alpha Eta Society in 1994.
Policy Statement
The certificate or degree in any program is granted only under the following conditions:
- The candidate for certificate or degree must have proven their competence in the health profession of their academic major.
- The candidate must have passed all required courses in which they have been registered, unless a waiver is approved by the program director.
- The candidate must have discharged all indebtedness to the University of Nebraska.
Levels of Distinction for Honors
| Honors Level | Required GPA | Award |
| Highest Distinction | 3.90 & Above | Medallion: Red & White Ribbon |
| High Distinction | 3.80 - 3.89 | Medallion: White Ribbon |
| Distinction | 3.70 - 3.79 | Medallion: Red Ribbon |
Alpha Eta Society
Students must rank in the top 20 percent of their graduating class to be eligible for the distinguished honor of membership in the Alpha Eta Society. In addition, candidates for membership must demonstrate leadership, sustained excellence in both academic and clinical studies, and a capacity for achievement in their chosen allied health profession.
Procedures
All students must complete an Application for Degree.
Degrees are conferred by the Board of Regents upon recommendation by the academic faculty of the College of Allied Health Professions.
Honors
Honors designations are awarded based on the student’s cumulative GPA for UNMC-only professional coursework for the program in which the student is enrolled and will be calculated during the semester in which they will graduate. The GPA is based on all program grades officially posted at that time.
After graduation, final cumulative GPAs are calculated for all programs. Honors designations are awarded to those graduates who move into the honors category. For graduates who originally earned honors at graduation, changes to final GPA will not affect honors designation or level of distinction.
Effective Date: 6/1/2023
Revised Date: 6/1/2023
Policy Process Applied: Standard
Policy Review Cycle: Three-Year
Responsible Administrator: CAHP Director of Enrollment Management
Responsible Office: CAHP Office of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
Policy Contact: Maggie Winnicki, mwinnicki@unmc.edu