Graduation with Honors
What is "Graduation with Honors"?
The ILR Faculty has decided not to award honorary degrees - known as the "Latin honors,: (cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude,) but rather to permit outstanding students to graduate with honors if they complete a two-semester Honors Thesis Project.
Am I qualified to write an Honor's Thesis?
If you are in the top 20% of your class in the latter part of your Junior year, you may develop a proposal for an extensive research project (much like an ILR 499 Independent Study) in consultation with an ILR faculty member who will serve as your supervisor.
How do I submit a proposal?
A proposal of five or more pages and a bibliography are to be submitted to the Faculty Committee on Academic Standards and Scholarships for review at the end of the Spring Term before the year in which the study is done. When approved, you begin the study and are registered for ILR 495: Honors Thesis Research for four letter-graded credit hours in each of your final semesters.
What is expected of me academically?
You will be expected to:
- remain in the top 20% of your class
- meet regularly with your Thesis Supervisor
- produce a substantial piece of research
- defend your thesis in a defense before the end of the second semester in your Senior year.
Is there official recognition or an award?
You will be invited to attend the McPherson Honors and Awards Dinner, with your faculty supervisors. Graduation with Honors will be listed in commencement materials and announced in the ILR Diploma Ceremony.
Can I find out more?
A more detailed handout is available from the OSS, 101 Ives Hall.
