These eligibility requirements are effective for all students with catalog year of Fall 2025 or later. Students with earlier catalog years may receive (high) distinction as determined by these eligibility requirements or by the requirements in effect at the time of their admission to the university.
To be eligible for distinction, a student majoring in Political Science must complete one of the following two tracks:
Coursework Honors Track
On this track, a student must:
- Earn a university grade point average on this campus of at least 3.0,
- Earn a political science grade point average on this campus that is in the top 10% of PS majors in their graduating class, and
- Complete 30 hours of advanced (300 and 400 level) political science coursework on this campus.
Research Honors Track
On this track, a student must:
- Earn a university grade point average on this campus of at least 3.0,
- Earn a political science grade point average on this campus of at least 3.25,
- Be admitted to and maintain good standing within the departmental research honors program,
- Complete required coursework in the departmental research honors program,
- Complete a senior thesis, and
- Earn a grade point average in PS 495 and PS 496 (or equivalent coursework) of at least 3.67.
Honors Program application and requirements
High Distinction
To be eligible for high distinction, a student majoring in Political Science must:
- Earn a university grade point average on this campus of at least 3.0,
- Earn a political science grade point average on this campus of at least 3.25,
- Be admitted to and maintain good standing within the departmental research honors program,
- Complete required coursework in the departmental research honors program,
- Complete a senior thesis, and
- Earn a grade point average in PS 495 and PS 496 (or equivalent coursework) of 4.0.