Department of Government and Justice Studies

Honors Program in Political Science or Criminal Justice

The Department of Government and Justice Studies maintains honors programs in Political Science and in Criminal Justice to provide qualified students the opportunity for advanced research in a seminar atmosphere. At the freshman level, the Department of Government and Justice Studies participates in the campus wide honors program for eligible new students, offering honors sections of a variety of introductory and upper division courses on a rotating basis. If you have any questions about departmental honors, please contact the honors program director, Dr. Marian Williams, at williamsmr4@appstate.edu or 828-262-6039.

Department Honors Eligibility and Requirements

Eligibility 

• Overall GPA of 3.25 by your junior year OR you have been recommended to the honors program by the  honors commitee or by the director of the honors program 

• Political Science  or Criminal Justice major

• Every semester, the director of the honors program will email all eligible students informing them of  their eligibility and next steps if they choose to pursue honors 

Requirements 

Eligible students must fill out this short form to have an honors block added to their DegreeWorks.  

Political Science Honors: 

• 6 semester hours of PS honors classes (3 semester hours may be a CJ honors class)**
• PS 4509 (Thesis Preparation) 
• PS 4510 (Thesis) 

Criminal Justice Honors: 

• 6 semester hours of CJ honors classes (3 semester hours may be a PS honors class)** 
• CJ 4509 (Thesis Preparation) 
• CJ 4510 (Thesis) 
• Criminal Justice honors students are NOT allowed to enroll in any honors classes  (including 4509 and 4510) during their internships

FAQs

• Why Join the Department Honors Program?

• Taking Honors Courses and Finding a Thesis Advisor

• Suggested Timeline for Department Honors

• What about University Honors?

• How to Prepare Your Thesis

 Forms and Other Resources

Additional forms for the Honors College can be found HERE

**Please note that fillable PDFs need to be downloaded and changes made from your save file.