Departmental Honors, Political Science

students at commencement in Worthen Arena

Political Science and Legal Studies majors who complete Departmental Honors requirements would earn the designation “Departmental Honors in Political Science” or “Departmental Honors in Political Science (Legal Studies).” This achievement would be properly noted in the commencement program and their transcripts.

In order to earn the designation, students must satisfy the eligibility and complete the honors program specified below.

Eligibility:

Any Political Science or Legal Studies majors whose GPA in Political Science or Legal Studies is 3.5 or above when they start the honors program and who, based on departmental regulations, may take three upper division (300 or 400 level) courses.
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5

Requirements:

Option 1

Enroll in a minimum of three Academic courses in Political Science or Legal Studies and write an honors thesis under the direction of the professor of your choosing (HONR 499 for students in the Honors College, HONR 499N for students who are not in the Honors College). No course grade below a “B” would be accepted. Upon graduation, the student must have a 3.5 GPA or above in the selected three courses, and a 3.5 GPA or above in all Political Science or Legal Studies courses.

Option 2

Enroll in a minimum of Academic Advising courses in Political Science or Legal Studies. During the first or the second week of such course, the student must inform the instructor teaching the course that they wish to take the course for Departmental Honors credit. If the instructor agrees, the student and instructor decide what type of additional academic work the student will complete. This honors work might take the form of additional research and writing, creative projects, internship reports, review essays, additional reading, conference presentations, etc. No course grade below a “B” would be accepted. Upon graduation, the student must have a 3.5 GPA or above in the selected three courses, and a 3.5 GPA or above in all Political Science or Legal Studies courses.

Student Responsibilities

Apply for the program by completing the Departmental Honors Registration Form and submitting it to the Secretary of the Honors College, and copying the department representative, Misa Nishikawa at mnishikawa@bsu.edu, on the email. You will be notified by email whether or not you have been accepted into the program.

Option 1

Follow “The Official Guide to the Honors Senior Project” provided by the Honors College and complete HONR 499 or HONR499N. It is recommended that you enroll in HONR 499 or HONR 499N in the fall semester of your senior year. In order to enroll in HONR 499 or HONR 499N, first set up a meeting with the Honors College Associate Dean to review your thesis idea(s) and the process for completing it. Next, send your thesis proposal and completed and signed “Senior Honors Thesis/Creative Project Final Checklist and Cover Sheet” to the Honors College Associate Dean and department representative via email.

Option 2

Enroll in three upper level courses in which instructors agree to supervise your honors projects. Complete the “Departmental Honors Course Project” for each course project and submit them to the Honors College and the department representative. Complete at least one project by the end of your junior year. Complete two more by the end of your senior year.

Department of Political Science

Ball State University
North Quadrangle Building (NQ)
Room 258
Muncie, IN 47306

Days: Monday-Friday
Academic Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summer Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

765-285-8780

765-285-5345