The College's Honors Program gives qualified students an opportunity to do extensive independent study and research in their major fields. Interdisciplinary majors also are eligible to participate through the program or department in which the thesis is supervised, graded, and credited. Honors are awarded for special distinction in the major fields. Honors study usually is carried on throughout the senior year under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students normally enter the program at the end of the junior year. Students who wish to be nominated to the Honors Program should apply to their major departments or programs.

The Honors Program consists of the writing of a substantial thesis and an oral examination on the thesis and the major field. In an alternative offered by some departments, eligible students elect a program consisting of a performance or a project in the creative arts; a written statement on the project; and an oral examination on the project and on courses in the major. The oral-examination committee includes the thesis advisor, members of the major department or program, at least one faculty member not a member of the major department or program, and an examiner from another college or university who specializes in the field of study.

Above: Professor Emily Kane of the Sociology Department (middle) takes a moment to celebrate at the annual Honors Reception with her four 2005 advisees (from left to right): Andrea K. Hopkins, Christina C. Alioto, Jillian B. Murphy, and Deborah J. Opar.