How important is Magna or Cum Laude Designation?

[bjones]

I am planning to complete my degree program by May 2017 and I have realized I can potentially graduate Magna Cum Laude, if I take two additional courses on ground (I am currently enrolled in a University in NJ), otherwise I will only need 1 University course to finish (that is if I pass all of my planned CLEP tests). I could also continue with my plans and take the courses via CLEP (planned to take 4 Cleps and a PLA course), which would disqualify me for the honors designation due to the total in school hours requirement. I.e., I need 50+hours, in class, if I take all of the CLEP courses I would have 44 hours (have a GPA of 3.786). Therefore would need to take 2 additional classes on ground (costing approximate 5K more).

I am also going to take additional professional certifications, in which I have many years of practical experience and anticipate being quite employable, even without the diploma. I do want to complete the certifications as well, which will be in PMP, Agile, 6 Sigma, and additional SAS certs (currently have 2).

Thanks for any insight.

Best,

BJ

[Synicaal]

I am planning to complete my degree program by May 2017 and I have realized I can potentially graduate Magna Cum Laude, if I take two additional courses on ground (I am currently enrolled in a University in NJ), otherwise I will only need 1 (that is if I pass all of my planned CLEP tests). However I could also continue with my plans and take the courses via CLEP (planned to take 4 Cleps and a PLA course), which would disqualify me for the honors designation due to the total in school hours requirement. E.g. I need 50+hours, in class, if I take all of the CLEP courses I would have 44 hours (have a GPA of 3.786). Therefore would need to take 2 additional classes on ground, costing approximate 5K more).

I am also going to take additional professional certifications, in which I have many years of practical experience and anticipate being quite employable, even without the diploma. I do want to complete both the certifications, which will be in PMP, Agile, 6 Sigma, and additional SAS certs (currently have 2).

Thanks for any insight.

Best,

BJ

Magna Cum Laude - "With great distinction" , That's really all you seem to get from it is a title, for 5k more I'd say not worth it at all. Basically you can get Magna Cum Laude status from having a high overall GPA, you will have the high overall GPA with or without the CLEP exams, that GPA is what your going to have on your resume either way so for the price I wouldn't do it. I guess its really up to you, unless someone else can put some more information on it. I know my GF graduated Magna Cum Laude for her Master's Degree. Didn't seem to change anything but I don't really know now do I lol.

[videogamesrock]

It is not worth the extra cost of the two classes.

[bjones]

It is not worth the extra cost of the two classes.

Thank you for your responses, trying to also trust my first instincts.

Best,

BJ

[clep3705]

Not worth the significant extra money, says the summa cum laude graduate. It's worth it when there is little or no incremental cost. It looks good on mom's wall and makes her proud. If you want to go to veterinary/medical/dental/law school, it isn't summa cum laude that gets you admitted, it is the GPA itself that does it. Having a 3.8 matters, not the words summa cum laude.

[cookderosa]

How many people do you know in real life with that designation? Exactly.
Besides, some schools don't even offer it- a high GPA is a high GPA with or without "Latin Honors" attached to it.

[bjones]

I am ok without it, and keeping the money, or at least initially I was (this was my initial grand plan to finish within 6 months). I am in a field where there is a lot of alphabet soup (spent many years being given faulty info, and/or working twice as hard only to get the poor step-kid treatment, that is higher level of responsibility and work without the pay because of lack of degrees, not complaining, well a little, but I am stronger, smarter and frankly see through a lot of BS as a result). Most positions in my field require graduate degrees. I have gotten by with an A.S., however as put by a high level former colleague, 'throw a stone and you hit a PhD.', so even that designation didn't carry too much weight.

Just thought it might be something to memorialize the effort. Actually probably was looking for a little humble-brag. Been out of work for about 18 months, have a lot of experience, have been narrowed down to one of two choice candidate for the job I wanted (did not get it), but thought this might push me over the hump.

Would like to start the next phase of my career without people starting off by questioning my abilities. Didn't think of it before, but the designation does say you are willing to do the required work.

Admittedly, a little douchy move, however there a many things your parents (or I'll say my parents) said which I learned are just not true, like "it doesn't matter how you look, it's what is in your heart". Still believe it but know it is not true. "Hard work and honesty will always be rewarded". Only because you can look yourself in the mirror, but quality certainly does not always matter in the workplace.

There are certain things that while unspoken do make a small amount of difference, was wondering if this was one of them. Trust, I have spent a great deal of time in life decidedly not focused on the superficial, and can honestly say it may have been a drawback in many ways.

Just as an aside, probably comes off really cynical, a little, but at heart I am an optimist and take it all with a grain of salt. Thankful for health, mental & physical and the man above.

[clep3705]

What you do in graduate school matters more.

[bjones]

Thanks, I think I'm over it Will save the 5K in the 401 and in 30 years celebrate with who knows, maybe a young bot (yes that is as in XT high tech bot).

[rowan555]

Thanks, I think I'm over it Will save the 5K in the 401 and in 30 years celebrate with who knows, maybe a young bot (yes that is as in XT high tech bot).

I graduated summa cum laude from college and graduate school, and the only person this ever made any difference to was my mom, who was proud of me. It hasn't affected my life in any way.