Bachelor of Arts in History with Departmental Honors


Departmental Honors allows top students to research and write an undergraduate thesis (most of the credit hours for which may count towards the B.A. in History).

  • This not only gives the student a substantial piece of work to note on resumés and to demonstrate research skills to graduate programs or future employers, it also is a lot of fun.
  • Among the benefits of participating in the Departmental Honors Program are the opportunity to preregister each semester on the first day of preregistration, eligibility to apply for university scholarships restricted to Honors students, and an Honors diploma.
  • You may apply for Departmental Honors if you have a Cumulative of 3.5 and a Major GPA of 3.5 (after having completed His 2010, 2020, 2300, 2400, and 2500, or their equivalent).

For further information, plan a program, or to obtain the (very brief) application form, contact:

  • Joy Kammerling
  • Departmental Honors Coordinator
  • Coleman Hall 2522
  • 581-6358

In addition to the regular requirements for a B.A. in History at Eastern Illinois University, the B.A. with Honors program requires completion of four courses, three of which will substitute for regular requirements in the History major. Thus, Honors students need take only 3 s.h of extra hours of course work beyond the usual major.

 

The program (suggested, but not required order):

  • His 4444 Honors Independent Study (may be related but not directly to your thesis) 3 s.h.
  • His 5000-5499 Graduate Seminar (senior year) 3 s.h.
  • His 4555 Research (research for your thesis) 3 s.h.
  • His 4644 Honors thesis (writing your thesis) 3 s.h.

Note that 9 out of these 12 s.h. may count for American or World History electives for the major. The Independent Study should be done with a different professor than your Honors Research and Thesis (the latter two should be done with the same professor).

 

There are additional monies in the university for undergraduate research. The Undergraduate Research Council awards monies to students (as well as to their advisors) each semester. The Honors Office has Continuing Student Scholarships (the deadline for Fall is in February; for Spring, usually November). Approach professors about working with you on an Independent Study or Thesis sooner rather than later. Finally,

 

We often recommend that undergraduate thesis writers submit part of their theses for

  1. Eastern's Social Science Writing Writing Award for undergraduates,
  2. Phi Alpha Theta's regional conferences (with paper awards); and
  3. Historia, Eastern Illinois' award-winning student history journal

Go forth and multiply your research.