Departmental Honors--B.A. in Philosophy (Departmental Honors Programs)

In addition to having a Major GPA of 3.500, an Honors Program participant is expected to take PHIL-P 498 Honors Thesis Directed Research (4 cr.) under the direction of a faculty advisor, to engage in independent study of a self-selected topic in philosophy. Normally, the Honors Program participant will receive a grade for PHIL-P 498 on the basis of work undertaken; in order for a student to continue in the Departmental Honors Program, the student's work must earn a grade of B+ or higher and must provide a sufficient basis for confidence that the student will be able to complete an acceptable honors thesis. The candidate for Philosophy Honors designation must then take PHIL-P 499 Honors Thesis (3–6 cr.), again under the direction of a faculty advisor, and must complete a substantial honors thesis. The completed thesis must be examined and certified by a committee of at least two philosophy faculty members, including the thesis advisor. The thesis must receive a grade of B+ or higher in order for the student to qualify for departmental honors.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

• Students must have a College GPA of 3.300 or higher to qualify for admission to a Departmental Honors program and to receive Departmental Honors. Units may set a higher College GPA.
• Units establish additional criteria, including admissions procedures, academic performance standards, and whether there are required courses, papers, or projects.
• Students who wish to earn honors in two different units must complete a distinct body of work for each honors notation.

Prior to their last two semesters of enrollment as majors, interested students should apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies with a proposal outlining a rough topic of study and a list of at least two possible faculty advisors. This Honors proposal must be approved by the Departmental Honors Committee. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average in the major of at least 3.500, and this minimum must be maintained until graduation.