Students meeting the following criteria will be awarded honors at graduation.
Academic Honors:
- Cum Laude (with honors) – GPA of 3.50 to 3.69
- Magna Cum Laude (with high honors) – GPA of 3.70 to 3.89
- Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors) – GPA of 3.90 to 4.00
The individual(s) selected for graduation honors will be determined by the cumulative grade point average at the end of the academic term prior to that of the graduation term. Credits or grades earned during the academic term in which the student graduates will not be considered in determination of these honors.
The individual(s) selected for Valedictorian will be the member(s) of the Doctor of Chiropractic Program graduation class maintaining the highest cumulative GPA at the end of the term prior to that of the graduation term. In addition, this individual(s) must have completed all academic and clinical requirements of Palmer College and must meet the following requirements:
- Cannot have withdrawn from any core course
- May not have repeated any course at Palmer College
- Shall have no “blemish” on their record, which includes:
- A grade of “no credit” in any course during the student’s chiropractic education
- Being placed on probation at any time during the student’s chiropractic education
- Receiving a finding of a formal charge of misconduct at any time during the student’s chiropractic education
The individual(s) selected for Salutatorian will be the member(s) of the Doctor of Chiropractic Program graduation class maintaining the second highest cumulative GPA at the end of the term prior to that of the graduation term. In addition, this individual(s) must have completed all academic and clinical requirements of Palmer College. The student(s) must also meet the criteria listed previously.
Individuals receiving these honors will also be recognized at their graduation ceremony. The designation of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for a graduating class is the responsibility of the Registrar.
Academic Excellence Award
Students will be recognized for the award of Academic Excellence at graduation if they meet all of the criteria for the Dean’s List for each term of enrollment at Palmer College.
Transfer Students: To be recognized as an Academic Excellence recipient, in addition to the above criteria, previous coursework for which the student receives advanced standing in the chiropractic program must not have received any grade less than a B, along with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 scale at the time of transfer.
Additional Graduation Honors
In addition to the academic honors outlined above, the College may award other honors at graduation. In addition to the specific requirements of each individual award, students shall have no finding of misconduct at any time during the student’s chiropractic education to be eligible to receive any of the following honors.
Research Honors
The Research Honors Program gives students the opportunity to experience research and enhance their education while in the Doctor of Chiropractic program. It allows them to design and complete a faculty-mentored research project. Research Honors applications and
submissions are evaluated by the Research Honors Committee and students awarded Research Honors are recognized at their graduation ceremony. Students interested in the Research Honors Program are encouraged to contact the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research for details or visit www.palmer.edu/palmer-center-for-chiropractic-research/research-honors/
Clinic Honors
The Clinical Excellence Award may be presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishment in service to patients, the College and the chiropractic profession. Candidates are nominated by Clinic faculty and are judged on quality of patient care, leadership potential, knowledge, skills and service.
Virgil V. Strang Philosophy Award
The Virgil V. Strang Philosophy Award may be presented to a graduating student who exemplifies the philosophy, commitment, passion, logic and reasoning of the practice of chiropractic during their course of study at Palmer.
