Departmental honors are awarded to students who achieve either (1) a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher within the major following the penultimate semester prior to graduation; or (2) a GPA lower than 3.50 within the major following the penultimate semester prior to graduation, but with an approved and completed honors thesis.
Highest honors are awarded to students who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher within the major following the penultimate semester, and an approved honors thesis.
The honors thesis is produced under the supervision of a department faculty member. Choice of faculty supervisor will be made by the student. One additional faculty reader of the thesis is required. Thesis research and writing fulfills the requirements of honors courses 01:450:495 and 496 (one 3-credit honors course per semester). The student will be invited to give a presentation of their work and be prepared to respond to questions and requests for revisions from the faculty supervisor and reader.
