Honors Work

This section from the Handbook of Faculty Legislation, "The Degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honor," provides key information to students, faculty, and departments regarding honors work and the honors thesis. The information is elaborated in the Handbook's Appendix X, "Guideline for the Honors Programs and Honors Thesis." Appendix X, as a .pdf, can be accessed by clicking on the following link.

Appendix X: Honors Guidelines (PDF)

The Degree of Bachelor of Arts With Honor

A.  By a Thesis or Project

Honors work, consisting of a minimum of 8 credits distributed between at least two semesters, may be undertaken with the approval of the department, major committee, or special honors committee concerned, by any senior who, prior to her senior year, has  maintained a cumulative average of 3.00 in her college work or a 3.00 average in her major field.  Ordinarily, honors work shall be undertaken in the field of the major, but it  may be pursued in another field or field(s) with the approval of the department(s) or major committee(s) concerned and the Dean of the College. Upon the successful completion of  the project, a student shall be recommended to the Academic Administrative Board by the  department, major committee, or special honors committee concerned for the appropriate honors degree.  An honors thesis or project that does not culminate in a recommendation  for a degree with  honors shall be recorded on the student's transcript as independent study.

After consultation with the Departments or major committees concerned, the Dean of the College may appoint a special honors committee to make the recommendation for the degree with honor in special circumstances (e.g. for work done in a Special Major or other interdisciplinary project).  This special honors committee shall be appointed no later than the middle of the first of the two semesters in which the honors thesis is done and shall consist of the examining committee plus two or more additional members and ordinarily shall include the Chair of an appropriate department or major committee.  

Honor in (Department).  A student presenting a satisfactory honors paper or project shall be recommended for the degree with honor, provided that two-thirds of her examining committee and a majority of the department, major committee, or special  honors committee agree.

High Honor in (Department).  A student presenting evidence of outstanding work in the  honors program shall be recommended for the degree with high honor, provided that her examining committee is unanimous and two-thirds of the department, major committee, or special honors committee agree.

B.  By Course Work

Cum Laude.  A student who has a cumulative average of 3.50 shall be recommended by the Registrar to the Academic Administrative Board for the degree cum laude.

Magna cum laude.  A student who has a cumulative average of 3.75 shall be recommended by the Registrar to the Academic Administrative Board for the degree magna cum laude.

C.  By Course Work and Thesis or Project

Summa cum laude.  A student who has a cumulative average of 3.75 in her college work and who presents evidence of exceptional work in the honors program shall be recommended for the degree summa cum laude, provided that her examining committee is  unanimous and two-thirds of the department, major committee, or special honors committee agree. The Academic Administrative Board shall act upon this  recommendation after reviewing her record, considering her work in the honors program,  and taking into account the details of the recommendation from her examining committee  and the department, major committee, or special honors committee.