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Department of African American and Diaspora Studies

students sitting around small classroom in discussion

Honors Program

Honors in the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies is a selective program. Students who attain the Honors achievement are exemplary and willing to commit significant time and study in the pursuit of Honors status.

Admission Requirements

  • 3.3 cumulative grade point average overall
  • 3.5 cumulative grade point average in all AADS courses

Program Requirements

To earn Honors, students must write a 3-credit hour Senior Honors Thesis in AADS 4998 (fall) or 4999 (spring) and pass an oral examination.

A committee of three faculty members (two of whom must be involved in undergraduate teaching in the African American and Diaspora Studies program) will evaluate the thesis. Students pursuing the Senior Honors Thesis may apply to the program for nominal funding to assist with research projects. The chair of the student’s thesis committee and two readers must attend the oral examination. The oral defense will typically take place in the second semester of the student’s senior year.