Departmental Honors

Program Summary:

• Highly selective (with minimum overall and major GPAs plus application process).
• Cohort model with students and faculty working together.
• Intensive research and writing on student-selected topic, finalized as an honors thesis.

If you have studied abroad, your honors project should involve your study-abroad country significantly. Exceptions to this expectation must be justified by the applicant and authorized by the INST Faculty.

How it works:

Honors Program Sequence: 

• INST 4901 Honors Senior Capstone in WQ. In this course you design and begin your thesis.
• INST 4903 Honors Thesis Seminar in SQ. In this course you complete and present your thesis.

INST 4901 replaces INST 4900 for students in the INST Honors Program.

Honors Program Requirements:

• Completion of the INST honors course sequence with a grade of A- or A in INST 4901 and 4903.
• Production of a substantial thesis, presented in a departmental conference and approved by two INST faculty.
• Maintenance of cumulative university and INST-major GPA of 3.5 through graduation.

Sample Theses:

Interested in learning more about the type of work that INST Honors students do? You can see their project titles or download their theses from this list in the library website.

How to Apply:

Following are the details for eligibility and degree requirements as well as the application process:

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum 3.5 GPA cumulative and in INST major at the end of Fall Quarter of senior year*
• Will take classes at SU during Spring Quarter of senior year
• Completion of prerequisites by end of Fall Quarter of senior year:  INST 3800, INST 2000 and three additional INST foundational courses (INST 2100, 2300, 2600; ECON 2130; HIST2010)

*If your GPA falls between 3.3 and 3.5 at the time of application, you may be accepted to the honors program conditionally. Full acceptance will require raising your GPA to 3.5 by the end of FQ of your senior year.

Application:  Eligible and interested students should submit an application in early Fall of senior year. Applications should be turned into Dr. Andolina by e-mail attachment. A downloadable copy of the form can be found here:  INST Honors Application.

Questions?: If you are interested in applying and want to know more about the program, please contact Dr. Robert Andolina (INST Honors Program Coordinator)