Undergraduate Honors Program in History

I. General Description:

The History Honors Program is offered in conjunction with the Schreyer Honors College. In other words, a History Honors Undergraduate should simultaneously be a University scholar. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Anne Rose, 863-0105 (acr5@psu.edu)

II. Requirements for Admission to the Program:

• Third semester (or sophomore year) standing.

• University cumulative grade-point average of 3.50.

• Six credits of PSU history courses with a GPA of 3.8.

• Concurrent participation in University Scholars Program (Schreyer Honors College).

III. Requirements for Completion of the Program:

1. The writing of a thesis along with six credits of Honors courses leading to thesis completion as follows:

• History 300C (3 cr).

  Thesis work: supervised readings and research on the topic about which the student plans to write a thesis

  • Honors Thesis Schedule

• History 300D (3 cr).

  Honors thesis: supervised research and writing leading to the completion of an honors thesis.

  • Honors Thesis Information and Guidelines

2. Completion of all other history major distribution requirements, including 302W, except that 300C and 300D (the thesis, in other words) may each substitute for one course in "other history" at the 400-level. If the thesis deals in substantial degree with a part of the world corresponding to department courses in "non-Western" history (typically Asia, Latin America, Africa), then either 300C or 300D (but not both) may also substitute for one "non-Western" course at the 400-level.

3. Honors students will also need to complete the required number of "H" and "HO" courses to meet Schreyer Honors College requirements. 300C and 300D both count as honors ("H") courses. Current requirements would typically mean three courses other than 300C and 300D as "H" or "HO," or the equivalent in study abroad honors credit, or a combination of these options.

Students meeting these requirements will have the designation "With Honors in History" inscribed on their diplomas and transcripts.

IV. Other Important information:

• History majors who write an honors thesis in a different department must fulfill the regular requirements for a history major.

• History minors or LAS (Letters Arts and Sciences) majors may write an honors thesis in history with prior approval of the honors advisor. This approval will depend mainly on the viability of the proposed thesis project, especially whether the student has sufficient background to take on such a project. Students who are not history majors, minors or LAS majors may not write an honors thesis in history.

• While pursuing a major in history with honors, students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.2 each semester.

• Study abroad through PSU-sponsored programs counts as honors credit. One semester abroad earns 3 honors credits; a full academic year abroad earns 6.

Printable Honors History Major Requirements Checklist

Questions: For inquiries , please contact us.