Department requirements for graduating with honors

Please note that these requirements apply to students in the Legacy Honors program only. They do not apply to students in the Honors and Collegiate Scholars Program. These requirements are subject to change. Please check with your major department for the most up-to-date requirements for your program.

Accounting

Honors Advisor: Jason Stansbury

124 hour program (BS in Accounting)

  1. A minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and a total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major
  2. At least three honors courses in the major, one of which must consist of a 300-level course taught by an accounting faculty member. At least one of the courses in the department should be taken before the senior year.
  3. A GPA in the major of at least 3.3.
  4. Completion of a thesis or project in Business 390H with a grade of at least B (3.0).

Art

Honors Advisor: Craig Hanson

Studio Art, B.F.A., or Graphic Design:

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall;
  2. at least three honors courses outside the Department of Art and Art History;
  3. at least three honors art courses, including at least two studio courses;
  4. a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
  5. the public presentation of a thesis project.

Asian Studies, Chinese, Japanese

Honors Advisor: Larry Herzberg

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, and at least 6 designated honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major. A minimum 3.5 grade point average for honors courses.
  2. at least two honors courses (of the 6) taken in the Hubers Asian Studies Program, at least one of the two at 300-level, earning at least a 3.5 average for them.
  3. completion of a 'substantial' honors paper by enrolling in a departmental (i.e. a department other than Asian Studies) honors thesis course or by independent study in the last semester of enrollment (typically three hours of credit) and writing an honors thesis of 35-50 pp. The thesis must be read and approved by the honors supervisor and two other faculty members and defended in a meeting with them.

Biology

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, complete a total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major, and earn a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major;
  2. at least three honors courses in Biology:
  3. one honors course will normally be the honors section of Biology 160 or Biology 161. Alternatively this requirement could be met by contracting with an instructor for honors credit in Biology 141 or Biology 230 for honors credit;
  4. a second honors course must be taken from courses numbered 300-364 (excluding 354);
  5. the third course requirement is the completion with honors of an upper-level research course (Biology 354, 385, or 399). Normally the investigative research conducted in one of these courses will be reported as a scientific research paper, which will constitute the honors thesis, and as a public presentation to a scientific audience.

Business

Honors Advisor: Jason Stansbury

Business Honors Requirements

  1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major
  2. At least three honors courses in the business department, one of which is ordinarily taken before the senior year
  3. A GPA in the major of at least 3.3
  4. Completion of a thesis or project in Business 390H with a grade of at least B (3.0)

Chemistry & Biochemistry

Honors Advisor: Mark Muyskens, Chad Tatko

  1. completion of a major in Chemistry or Biochemistry with at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average;
  2. six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall;
    1. three courses must be outside the major,
    2. only one course may be a cognate,
    3. the other three honors courses must be within the major and one must be a research course (see the following requirement),
    4. only one may be a 100 level course;
  3. completion of at least 4 semester hours of research (Chem 395/397). The last must be an honors course, which requires a formal report (reviewed by a committee) and a presentation in the departmental seminar series.

Classics

Honors Advisor: Young Kim

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. at least three honors courses in Classics, Greek, or Latin; at least one of them must be at the 300-level (except in the Classical Studies major);
  3. a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
  4. completion of an honors research paper, normally during the senior year, with a public presentation of the results.

Communication

Honors Advisor: Kathi Groenendyk

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (at least 18 semester hours), including a 300-level course and at least 2 courses in the student’s CAS specialization.  At least two honors courses must be outside CAS;
  2. maintain an average GPA of 3.5 or higher in the major;
  3. presentation to the department of an honors paper or project, usually in the spring of the senior year.

Digital Communication, Film and Media Studies, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Strategic Communication, Theatre

  1. earn a grade of B+ or better in six honors courses (to total at least 18 semester hours) including at least two courses in the specific major (digital communication, film & media studies, SPAUD, strategic communication, theatre), one of which must be a 300-level course. To have the course count as an honors course, the student and professor must create a contract for honors work. At least two honors courses must be outside of CAS.
  2. Maintain a GPA of 3.5, both in the specific major (digital communication, film & media studies, SPAUD, strategic communication, theatre) and overall.
  3. Present to the department or to the public an honors paper or project in one’s senior year, usual during the spring semester.

Organizational Communication

  1. at least six honors courses (18 hours) overall with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
  2. at least two honors courses outside the major (i.e. neither CAS nor BUS)
  3. at least two honors courses in BUS and two in CAS with an honors grade of at least B+
  4. an honors thesis or project either in BUS 390H or a CAS 300-level course, with a presentation to that department.

Computer Science

Honors Advisor: Keith Vander Linden

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. must include MATH 171 (Calculus I), MATH 172 (Calculus II), and MATH 243 (Statistics), and at least four electives.  (n.b., BCS majors are already required to meet these requirements.);
  3. must propose an honors program (normally in their sophomore year).  This program is designed by the students and the student’s mentor, and must be approved by the department;
  4. must complete a senior honors project, which must be significantly more challenging than a typical senior project.  This project must be presented in an appropriate public forum (e.g., a conference or department colloquium) and must be approved by the department (see CS 396/398 for more details on the senior project with honors).

Economics

Honors Advisor: Kurt Schaefer

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major; 
  2. at least three honors courses in the major, one of which is ordinarily taken before the senior year;
  3. a GPA in the major of at least 3.3;
  4. completion of a thesis in Economics 390H with a grade of at least B (3.0). It is expected that the honors thesis in Ecomomics 390 be a scholarly research project that is significant in the field of choice and displays evidence of independent and original scholarship. The honors thesis may be in conjunction with a research assistantship with a chosen professor. Students are expected to propose a viable research plan to the professor and agree to engage in an interactive staged process, which reflects the demands and time commitment appropriate for the course. 

Economics Group Majors 

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a total of 6 honors courses (university requirement)
  2. at least 3 honors courses in the major, one of which will ordinarily be taken before the senior year. 
  3. a GPA in the major of at least 3.3. 
  4. completion of 2 courses, one in Economics or Business and one in the other discipline, with an honors grade of at least B (3.0). (A seminar course is recommended.) 
  5. completion of a thesis in Economics 390H with a grade of at least B (3.0). 

Education

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 overall and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum);
    1. at least two honors courses in the Education Department, one of which could be IDIS 205;
    2. at least two honors courses in the student’s major
      1. for Elementary Education students those courses need to be in the major or minor other than their Elementary Education Major.
      2. for Secondary Education students those courses need to be in the major in which they are seeking certification.
      3. for students in the Special Education: Cognitive Impairment major those courses must come from the following list of courses: EDUC 306, 310, 330.
      4. for students in the Early Childhood major those courses must come from the following list of courses: EDUC 236, 238, 312, 335, 337, 339.
      5. the same course cannot be used to satisfy both the Education Department honors requirement (item 1a) and the honors requirement in the major or minor;
    3. at least one honors course outside of the Education Department and the student’s major or minor;
  2. completion of a pre-approved Honors Research Project in education with an Education professor.
    1. The Honors Research Project proposal must be submitted for approval to the chair of the Education Department two semesters prior to graduation (by Nov. 1 or April 1);
    2. We generally discourage students from completing the project during student teaching;
    3. The results of this project must be shared at a public gathering. 

Engineering

Honors Advisor: Engineering Department Chair

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. at least two honors courses in engineering (except ENGR 101,181,185,285,294,337,339,340,382,385, 387,390,and 394) with a minimum grade of A-; at least one of the engineering courses must be a 300-level course;
  3. completion of an Engineering internship in either ENGR 385 or 387.

Note:  Since the engineering department doesn't regularly offer honors sections, the honors courses are taken by special arrangement with course instructors.

English (Literature, Writing, Linguistics)

Honors Advisors: Kristine Johnson, David Urban

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. at least three honors courses in English (with a minimum grade of B+) not counting English 101, which may be counted as the sixth honors course required for graduation in honors;
  3. the three English honors courses normally include:
    1. a 200-level literature course;
    2. a 300-level literature course, taken for honors credit by special arrangement with the professor;
    3. English 399, a 3-hour honors thesis course which is normally taken in the senior year and culminates in an oral presentation).

Note: Students must submit an Honors Application form in the spring term of their junior year. For more information, see the department's website. For specific questions about honors requirements in the English department, contact the honors sub-committee (2018: Kristine Johnson, David Urban).

Environmental Science

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including one honors course outside the major; 
  2. minimum GPA of 3.3 in the major;
  3. honors credit in four courses in the major, including:
    1. one introductory course from among BIOL 123 or 224, CHEM 103, or GEOL 151;
    2. one course from either ENST 210 or 302;
    3. one course from among BIOL 345, CHEM 271, or GEOL 312;
    4. ENST 395 taken for honors credit;
  4. completion of an internship experience through ENST 385, an independent research study (390 course) in Biology, Chemistry, or Geology, or another approved practicum.

Environmental Studies

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
  3. completion of ENST 395 with a minimum grade of B+;
  4. completion of at least two other honors courses in ENST courses or specific ENST track courses (GEOG, ECON, or POLS);
  5. completion of Geography 395 H, which involves the submission of an honors research paper;

French

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. minimum GPA in French of at least 3.5;
  3. completion of an honors component in at least three courses in the French Department from the following: French 301, or 302, 351, 361, 362, 363, 372, 373, 374, 375, 381, 394, 395, 396;
  4. satisfactory completion of a senior honors thesis, to be completed when taking a course from the French Literature cluster (394, 395, 396) for capstone credit and presented orally to members of the department faculty.

(Note: a student may complete an honors component in core-level courses to fulfill the general university honors requirement, but not the departmental honors requirement. For more information, see the department's website.)

Geography

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
  3. completion of Geography 380 with a minimum grade of B+;
  4. completion of at least two other honors courses in geography;
  5. completion of Geography 395 H, which involves the submission of an honors research paper.

Geology

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major ;
  2. minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
  3. completion of six honors courses with a grade of B+ or better in each course, at least two of which must be outside the major;
  4. minimum of four courses in Geology, including eight semester hours of Geology 395-396, culminating in an honors thesis and presentation of the results in a departmental seminar.

German

Honors Advisor: Corey Roberts

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least three honors courses within the major and three outside it;
  2. the three German honors courses must be selected from among the following: 301, 302, 303, 361, 362, 371, 372, 381, 395; at least one course taken for honors credit must be from among the advanced-level language and culture courses (361, 362, 371, 372, 381, or 395);
  3. satisfactory completion of an honors research paper, normally during the senior year in conjunction with a 300-level course;
  4. minimum cumulative GPA in German of at least 3.5.

History

Honors Advisor: Kate van Liere

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including the 2 independent study courses listed below (390 H and 391 H) and at least 2 honors courses outside the major
  2. minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
  3. completion of two History honors courses with a minimum grade of B in each (Note: these courses are in addition to the 390H-391H sequence specified below);
  4. completion of honors History 390 H (independent study), with a minimum grade of B, normally in the fall semester of the senior year;
  5. completion of History 391H (independent study), with a minimum grade of B, normally in the spring of the senior year;
  6. presentation of the senior honors thesis at History Dept. Colloquium.

Integrated Science

Honors Advisor: Jim Jadrich

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5;
  2. minimum gpa of 3.3 in the major;
  3. a total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall including
    1. no more than three courses from the same discipline
    2. two courses from outside the major
    3. four courses from among the courses in integrated science major or minor
  4. completion of a pre-approved research thesis in science, science education, or another approved practicum.  The chair of the Science Education Group must approve the thesis proposal, and the student must sign a contract outlining the thesis expectations.

International Development Studies (IDS)

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. at least three honors courses that fulfill requirements or electives for the IDS major (honors work in IDS courses normally requires a minimum grade of B+ on all course components, exemplary attendance and participation, research and written work beyond normal class requirements, and a class presentation);
  3. either a thesis in IDS 390 (independent study) or honors work in IDS 395; it is also acceptable for students to do both of these courses for honors.

International Relations

Honors Advisor: Joel Westra

  1. attain an overall minimum GPA of 3.5
  2. attain a minimum GPA of 3.5 in international relations courses
  3. Complete 6 (18 hours) non-Interim courses for honors credit, with a minimum of four honors courses within the major
  4. complete an honors thesis that meets the guidelines of the Political Science department.
  5. earn at least a B+ in each international relations honors courses for it to qualify for honors designation.
  6. Make a formal commitment to graduate with honors by Fall of your senior year.

 (To graduate with honors from International Relations discuss these requirements with your adviser.)

Kinesiology (Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance & Sport)

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least three honors courses outside the major;
  2. make a formal Honors declaration no later than March of the junior year by submitting an Application to Participate in the Honors Program form, and meet regularly (typically during Academic Advising at minimum) with the Kinesiology Honors Advisor
  3. actively participate in Kinesiology seminars and Kinesiology Day in May
  4. have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 both within the major and overall.
  5. complete a minimum of three honors courses (not including PE 391) from among the following: KIN 213, KIN 215, KIN 305 or 306 (not both), KIN 325, KIN 328, KIN 332, KIN 320, REC 304, REC 305, REC 310, REC 312, REC 314, REC 324, KIN 218, KIN 243, KIN 315 , HE 254 or any department course by pre-arrangement with instructor;
  6. complete KIN /REC 391 (Honors Project and Presentation). This involves submitting an Honors Thesis or Project in the senior year for review by at least two department faculty, as well as a required public presentation of the thesis/project. 
  7. Submit an Application to Graduate with Honors form no later than February 15 of the senior year (or 3rd week of Fall semester if graduating in December).

Mathematics & Statistics

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. completion of an approved honors program in Mathematics, for which students should normally apply in the sophomore year; for honors in Mathematics the approved honors program must include 271; one of 305, 362; and at least one of 333, 335, or 365.
  3. completion of a senior thesis, for which students receive four hours of credit in Mathematics 395 usually distributed over two terms of the senior year;
  4. presentation of senior thesis research to the Mathematics Colloquium.

Mathematics Education

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. completion of an approved honors program in Mathematics Education, for which students should normally apply in the sophomore year; for honors in Mathematics Education the program must include all of the math courses normally required for a Mathematics major in the Secondary Education Program (and usually the honors section of calculus – Math 190), plus 271;
  3. completion of a senior thesis, for which students receive four hours of credit in Mathematics 395 usually distributed over two terms of the senior year;
  4. presentation of senior thesis research to the Mathematics Colloquium.

Music

Honors Advisor: Benita Wolters-Fredlund

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. minimum GPA in Music of at least 3.3;
  3. completion of three honors courses in other departments;
  4. completion of three Music courses with honors credit with a minimum grade of B+; at least one of these must be at the 300-level.

Nursing

Honors Advisor: Joke Ayoola

  1. obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 within the nursing major: a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 overall;
  2. complete a total of at least six honors courses (18 hours minimum); either 2 non-nursing and 4 nursing course or 3 non-nursing and 3 nursing course. One of the nursing major honors courses must be Nursing 380.
  3. meet with the honors advisor to develop a plan for the honors courses that will support the final honors thesis.
  4. arrange for honors work in a specific course with the faculty teaching the course and the nursing honors advisor. Any course in the nursing major may be taken for honors.
  5. submit an honors thesis as part of Nursing 380, the capstone course in the nursing major.
  6. present a summary of this honors thesis at the Department of Nursing Seminar Series.
  7. consider submitting an abstract of the honors thesis in other scholarly venues such as Kappa Epsilon or MNRS.

Occupational Therapy

Honors Advisor: Amy Wilstermann

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. at least three honors courses in the OT program, selected from the following list: Biology 141, 205, 206; Psychology 255 (or Mathematics 143); Physics 223; Psychology 201, 212; Kinesiology 215 (or Recreation 324 or SPAUD 215); Philosophy 212 (as the capstone course); Sociology 153;
  3. completion with honors of an independent research project, either in the capstone course or as an independent study to be designed in consultation with the program advisor.

Philosophy

Honors Advisor: Kevin Corcoran

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5  and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. at least two honors courses in Philosophy with a grade of B or higher; at least one of these must be at the 300-level;
  3. a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major;
  4. the successful submission and presentation of an honors paper.

Physics & Astronomy

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. at least three honors courses (of 3 or more semester hours each) in Physics; at least one of the three must be an advanced theory course  from 335-376, excluding 347 and 359;
  3. cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 in Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics collectively;
  4. completion of an approved Physics major with at least 40 semester hours or the Secondary Education Physics major (Astronomy 384 and Astronomy 395 may be counted in the 40 hours);
  5. regular participation in the departmental seminar program;
  6. successful completion of a departmentally approved research project in Physics or Astronomy (typically through summer research) and Physics or Astronomy 395.
  7. To obtain honors credit in any physics or astronomy course, a student can make a contract with the course instructor regarding a special project. Alternatively, a student in an Introductory level physics course up through Physics 235 or in a 100-200 level astronomy course may earn honors in that course by concurrently taking the seminar course, Physics 195, and completing its requirements. A student must earn a grade of “B” or better in a course to receive honors designation for that course.

Political Science

Honors Advisor: Micah Watson

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. complete a minimum of four honors courses within the major;
  3. complete an honors thesis that meets the guidelines of the political science department;
  4. earn at least a B+ in each political science honors course you take;
  5. make a formal commitment to graduate with honors by fall of your senior year.

Psychology

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. completion of at least three honors courses in Psychology;
  3. one of the three must involve an honors research paper in Psychology 356 or a comparable honors project in Psychology 390;
  4. minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major.

Public Health

Honors Advisor: Kristen Alford

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. at least three honors courses in the public health program;
  3. completion of an honors research thesis or project developed in an independent research study (390 course), the 395 public health capstone, the 380 public health internship, or another approved means, and a public presentation of results.

Religion

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least two honors courses outside the major;
  2. completion of at least three Religion courses for honors with a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.5;
  3. a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major;
  4. one of the three honors courses taken in the Religion Department must be a 300-level course (excluding 359, 396, and any Interim course). 

Social Work

Honors Advisor: Joe Kuilema

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 within the major as well as overall and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall, including at least three honors courses outside the major;
  2. at least three honors courses within the major;
  3. at least two of the three courses must be chosen from 300-level offerings;
  4. Students will complete an honors thesis in Social Work 381, the capstone seminar, or through an independent study (390) or another approved means. This research will be publicly presented to the Calvin community;
  5. Honors students are encouraged to participate in department seminars and colloquia, when appropriate.

Sociology

Honors Advisor: Todd Vanden Berg

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 within the major as well as a GPA of 3.3 overall and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall;
  2. at least three honors courses within Sociology;
  3. completion of an honors thesis in Sociology 395, including a public presentation of results in an appropriate public setting;
  4. honors students are encouraged to participate in department seminars and colloquia. 

Spanish

Honors Advisor: Alisa Tigchelaar

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and total of six honors courses (18 hours minimum) overall;
  2. at least three honors courses outside the major and at least three within it (normally including Spanish 395); 
  3. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in Spanish courses;
  4. the completion of an honors component in at least three Spanish courses at or above the 301-302 level with a final grade of at least B+; (an honors component in a Spanish 202/203 course may count as a fourth course toward graduation with honors in Spanish, but not as one of the three previously mentioned.)
  5. an Honors Application form must be submitted by the end of reading recess in the spring semester of the senior year with:
    1. a list of honors courses completed and grades
    2. student's cumulative GPA and GPA in Spanish classes
    3. title or short description of Honors Thesis
    4. name of primary and secondary supervisor of the thesis
    5. signatures of student's advisor and the primary supervisor
  6. a written senior thesis (in Spanish). Usually this will be the term paper written for the Spanish 395 (capstone) class. The department recommends that students work during the previous semester or summer to complete a large portion of the research. A possible itinerary during the thesis semester might be:
    1. week 4 of the semester: statement of thesis and bibliography
    2. week 8: first draft
    3. week 12: second draft
    4. last day of classes for the semester: if needed, third and final draft.
  7. an oral presentation of the thesis at a departmentally approved forum).

Speech Pathology and Audiology

  1.  Earn a grade of B+ or better in six honors courses (to total at least 18 semester hours) including at least two courses within the major, one of which must be a 300-level course.  At least two courses must be outside of the major.
  2. Maintain GPA of 3.5, both in the major and overall.
  3. Present to the department or to the public an honors paper or project in one's senior year, usually during the spring semester.

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