The Department of Women and Gender Studies Honors Program is designed to give majors the opportunity to pursue rigorous interdisciplinary research and writing under the close supervision and mentorship of a Women and Gender Studies faculty member. In pursuing honors, students can be expected to gain a deeper understanding of the field and the critical thinking and writing skills needed to excel in a graduate or professional school or in management-level positions in the professional workforce. Students also receive public recognition at commencement and at the Honors Program convocation for successful completion and defense of their thesis.

Requirements:

  • Please visit the  to gain a full understanding of the process toward graduation with Latin honors and to find out deadlines.
  • You should be a WGST major with at least a 3.3 overall GPA and a 3.5 GPA in women and gender studies. If you have a GPA under 3.3, contact the WGST Honors Council representative.

  • Research and write a (30-60 page) thesis over two semesters under the direction of your advisor.

  • Set a date and defend your thesis (if you complete the defense successfully, the committee may recommend one of the honors designations: cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude).

To Apply:

  • Contact WGST Honors Council representative, Professor Samira Mehta (Samira.Mehta@ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥.EDU). We will answer any questions, and you may schedule a meeting to review your ideas for a thesis project and determine eligibility. 
  • Plan ahead - most students begin in their junior year.
  • Identify a WGST faculty member who will act as your advisor and will help choose your
    Your honors committee consists of three faculty members. Two of the three members must be in Women and Gender Studies. The first member is your advisor and chair of the committee, the second is a member of the Women and Gender Studies faculty, and the third is a faculty member from another department. One of these must be on the Honors Council. This committee will be present during the defense of your thesis and can also be used for advice during the writing of your thesis as deemed necessary by your chair.
  • Fill out the Application for Honors in Women and Gender Studies with your faculty advisor.
  • Enrollment in WGST 4950-Honors Research and/or WGST 4999-Honors Thesis is optional to earn credit hours during the two semesters you research, write and defend your thesis.
  • Register your thesis project using the .  Registration deadlines: April 26, 2022 for a fall 2022 defense / October 4, 2022 for a spring 2023 defense
  • Find out about eligibility for grants from the .

honors