Magna Cum Laude in a Field A candidate may be recommended by the Faculty for the degree magna cum laude in a concentration or joint concentration provided he or she has been designated by the concentration to receive High Honors or Highest Honors. For May degrees, the total number of degrees summa cum laude and magna cum laude combined will be no more than 20 percent of all May degree candidates. http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k79903&pageid=icb.page418749