Graduating with Honors
Graduating with Latin honors - cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude - in History requires the completion and defense of an honors thesis. A thesis is a substantial research paper (ca. 50-60 pages) based on original research in primary sources.
Honors Qualifications
*Under special circumstances, it is possible for a student with a GPA(s) lower than the minimums to write a thesis and graduate with honors.
Honors Thesis Process
Writing an honors thesis is a serious undertaking and, as such, students who wish to pursue an honors thesis in History must apply to and be accepted into the History Honors Program. Eligible students will be sent an email inviting them to apply to the program during the spring semester (usually late February).
Writing an honors thesis is a year-long process. During the fall semester, students enroll in HIST 3110: Honors Seminar. Taught by the History Honors Director, this course is an intensive seminar on historical research methods and fulfills the capstone senior seminar major requirement. In the spring semester students work on their thesis independently (with the guidance of a faculty advisor) and receive credit by enrolling in HIST 3120: Honors Thesis. Most students defend their theses in the spring; however, some students continue working on their theses and defend a semester later in the fall.
HIST 3110 and 3120 may not be taken simultaneously.