A student with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in his/her major (exceptions to be made at the discretion of the department chair), and who has demonstrated a competency for pursuing independent work, may become a candidate for departmental honors at graduation. Departments have the option to institute a higher minimum GPA requirement, and earlier deadlines, for honors candidates--check the appropriate major pages in the curriculum section of the
CLA Bulletin for variations.
Students can get a proposal form from the Registration and Records office or download it here. Students who wish to pursue departmental honors must consult with the department chair prior to submitting a proposal form. The proposal form must be submitted by May 1st of the spring term of their junior year. (See the guidelines for exceptions to the May 1st deadline.) A wide latitude is allowed a department in interpreting what constitutes an honors project; however, it should exhibit distinctive scholarship, originality of thought, relevance to a major issue in the discipline, and competent writing ability when projects are in written form. An honors project should be a capstone experience for the student of high ability.
Departmental faculty recommend candidates for departmental honors. An examining committee of at least four members, including one member from another department and one member from another institution, will be appointed by the dean upon recommendation by the project advisor. Upon successful defense to the examining committee, the candidate will be recommended to the faculty as worthy of the bachelor of arts diploma with distinction in the field named.
Bush Library Guidelines for
Cataloging your Honors Paper
