Students with an overall grade point average of 3.5 and above, and a 3.7 GPA in the POL, DGP, or PA major, who are at the end of their third year or beginning of their fourth year, are invited to declare their intent to pursue Departmental Honors in Political Science to be completed during their fourth year. Students who may be finishing their degree in 3 years may also apply for their final year. Students must have at least 9 hours in political science coursework at a 300 level or above.  To declare their intent to pursue honors, students must identify a faculty sponsor, a topic, and fill out a form signed by the faculty sponsor. The forms can be found in the main office and must be completed by September 1st of a student’s fourth or final year in order to be eligible for the program.

To complete Departmental Honors, students must do the following:

1. Complete the POL, DGP, or PA major with at least a 3.7 major GPA;

2. Complete the following:

• A thesis paper, under the guidance of a POL faculty member. This paper must be read by a second faculty in POL (to be chosen by the student with the assistance of his or her primary sponsor) and both faculty members must sign that the work of the thesis is honors quality.  This paper may be one that is a significant extension of an internship or fellowship experience, presented at a professional conference, completed as part of the Dean's Scholar or Undergraduate Summer Scholar program, or counted for the Honors College. Completion of the aforementioned programs does not guarantee departmental honors.
   
• One 2-credit hour independent study (POL 477, Departmental Honors) with the faculty member who is your primary sponsor. Internship hours or hours in another department’s honors program may count towards these Independent Study hours, with permission of your primary advisor. 

3. (Optional) Participate in the University Undergraduate Research forum in spring semester.