Applying to the History Honors Program

Review & Acceptance

The Departmental Honors Program Director, Professor Andrea Sterk ([email protected]), and the Undergraduate Advisor, David Perry, will begin reviewing applications on the first Monday in March after Spring Break. You will be notified of your acceptance into the program on a rolling basis, but no later than June 30.

Application Procedure

Most students apply for admission to the History Honors Program in the spring of their junior year. The application window opens the Monday after Spring Break. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the final deadline on June 15 of each year.  Due to limited spots available, students are strongly encouraged to apply early in the cycle. Students will not be allowed to enroll in the History Thesis Workshop (HIST 4961V) until an application has been filed and accepted. For HIST 4961W and HIST 4011W, our other senior capstone options, please see our Capstone Page.

Eligibility

Prospective students need to have a minimum 3.5 GPA* in history courses, an advisor in their field of interest, and a topic approved by the advisor.

 Note: Students whose upper-division GPAs are close to, but do not yet meet, the 3.5 requirement are still welcome to apply.

Interested students should begin talking with potential faculty advisors as soon as possible in their junior year. In most cases this will be a faculty member with whom you have already taken a course – either 3023 or another 3000-level course, or 4011. Thesis topics often spring from research-based courses in your area of interest. (If you need help finding an appropriate advisor, contact History Undergraduate Advising to get started).

Application

An application consists of two parts:

  1. Project description: a 1-2-page statement outlining a viable thesis topic. It should include a basic introduction to the proposed project, a set of research questions, a list of primary sources to be consulted, and, if possible, a brief discussion of historiography (and/or a brief bibliography of secondary sources). Sample project descriptions will be available through the History Undergraduate Advising office.
    • While professors will assist in the process of defining a topic, it is up to the students to identify one that will maintain their interest for two or more semesters, will be based on extensive engagement with sources, and has a manageable scope.
    • Students who are well advanced in this process should consider applying for a UROP award for research or one of the departmental fellowships, which provide funding over the summer to pursue research projects. The Hedley Donovan provides up to four students with $8000 research scholarships, the Harnsberger up to $2400, and the Moen up to $5000 for history-related internships.
  2. An email statement from your Faculty Advisor indicating that they have approved your topic and are willing to serve as your thesis advisor the following year.