Department of Political Science
Departmental Honors
Students on Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025 requirements POLS-HON
The Department of Political Science offers an honors program for outstanding undergraduate students majoring in Political Science who wish to undertake original research and writing under the direction of a faculty sponsor. This program is designed to guide students in advanced scholarly work, culminating in a thesis project that must be orally defended before two faculty members.
Requirements
- Thesis.
- Two (2) enrollments for a total of at least four (4) credit hours (3 credit hours in the fall and at least 1 credit hour in the spring), both with a grade of B+ or higher:
- POLS-Y 499 Honors Thesis
- The thesis project must be approved by all thesis committee members.
- Two (2) enrollments for a total of at least four (4) credit hours (3 credit hours in the fall and at least 1 credit hour in the spring), both with a grade of B+ or higher:
- Major GPA. A Political Science major grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.500 is required.
- College GPA. A College grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.300 is required.
Exceptions to and substitutions for honors requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.
Students can apply for admission at the end of their sophomore or junior year. The first three items require consultation with an academic advisor who will verify coursework and GPA requirements for admission purposes.
- Political Analysis. One (1) course with a grade of B or higher:
- POLS-Y 205 Analyzing Politics
- Political Science Courses.
- Advanced Course. At least three (3) credit hours:
- Any POLS-P 300–399
- Any POLS-Y 300–399
- Additional Courses. At least three (3) credit hours:
- Additional course from the Advanced Course list
- Any POLS-Y 100–199
- Any POLS-Y 200–299 except POLS-Y 205
- Advanced Course. At least three (3) credit hours:
- GPA Requirements.
- Political Science GPA. A Political Science major grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.500 is required.
- College of Arts and Sciences GPA. A College grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.300 is required.
- Application Form.
- Students must complete an application form that requires a thesis proposal and a signature from a faculty sponsor.