Departmental Honors
Departmental Honors in History provides a way for talented undergraduates to explore for themselves the practice of history. Working closely with the faculty honors director and an individual faculty advisor, each honors student designs, researches, and writes a research project, tailored to his/her interests. Departmental Honors are noted on the student's transcript—a distinction noted by employers and graduate school admissions officers in search of first-rate students.
Requirements
Students who are admitted to the Departmental Honors program in History complete the Honors seminar (HIST-K 392) in place of Capstone Requirement (HIST-J 400 and HIST-J 425). Honors students also complete a two-semester honors thesis with oral defense (HIST-K 499, 6 cr.) or a one-semester honors paper (HIST-K 498, 3 cr.). To graduate with honors, a student must earn a minimum A- in K 392 and the thesis or paper, complete a minimum of 33 credits in History with a 3.500 Major GPA, and have a minimum 3.300 College GPA.
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.
Students apply to the Departmental Honors program during the spring semester, usually in their sophomore or junior year. Applications include a letter of recommendation from a faculty member, and a writing sample; students must have a minimum 3.50 GPA in History classes, and 3.30 GPA overall. Additional information and application instructions can be obtained from the History academic advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies.