Honors Program

Graduate with honors from our B.A. in History program and learn from our outstanding faculty as you build your honors project and thesis.

Honors Advising

Speak with Prof. Kevin Gosner about your Honors studies or advising. Be sure to check-in with your advisor at least once a semester!

Honors Course Requirements

Before considering graduating with honors, be sure to read the undergraduate degree requirements for the History major and check-in with the undergraduate advisor to ensure that you are on track. 

Our department offers very few stand-alone honors courses for students. However, you may speak with the instructor in your courses about creating an Honors Contract and fulfill your honors course requirements. Another alternative would be to enroll in co-convened undergraduate/graduate-level courses. Look for HIST 400s-500s courses and speak to the instructors about enrolling in the 500-level section.

See Honors College Requirements

Senior Capstone

In order to complete your degree with honors, you must enroll in HIST 498 Senior Capstone followed by one-year HIST 498H Honors Thesis. You are encouraged to finish your senior capstone during your Junior year.

HIST 498H: Honors Thesis in History

Note: Not to be confused with HIST 498 Senior Capstone, which is the prerequisite for this course.

You must complete and submit the Honors Thesis Prospectus at the end of the semester prior to beginning the thesis.

To select a thesis advisor, consult with the history honors major advisor first. If you already have someone in mind, contact them directly the semester before you want to start your thesis. A faculty thesis advisor can be any historian in the department, or a faculty member in another department (with prior approval from the history honors advisor). Your thesis advisor must be a full-time university faculty member (not a graduate student or adjunct faculty member). Once a faculty member agrees to supervise your thesis, have them sign an Add form for the semester you will begin the thesis.

HIST 396H: History Honors Thesis Workshop

This is a one-unit workshop for History Honors majors who are engaged in the research and writing of their honors thesis. It will be scheduled whenever there is sufficient interest – so be sure to let Prof. Kevin Gosner know when you submit your prospectus!

The workshop will meet semi-regularly. The goal of the workshop is to provide you with mentoring and support as you progress with the thesis. From initial research, to narrowing the topic and creating the preliminary research proposal, to writing and revising, the workshop is here to help. You will continue to work directly with your thesis advisors; the workshop is supplemental to the required 3 units of thesis supervision each semester. You will earn one unit of honors and history elective credit for participating.

Study Abroad

The Honors College offers honors credits in the five study abroad programs that they sponsor. You can also earn history credits on almost any accredited study abroad program. Consider taking advantage of this terrific opportunity to travel while you earn credit towards graduation and your major!