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College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Honors Programs

Think more critically. Observe more carefully. Develop problem-solving analytical skills.

Encouraging Intellectual Achievement

For students who have established a record of achievement, participation in an Honors program offers additional academic challenge, intellectual independence, and the opportunity to work more closely with supportive, enthusiastic faculty. The Honors experience may provide one of the best opportunities to develop the skills and abilities needed to “envision and deal with the possibilities and problems over a period of accelerating change” (Dr. Frank Gillan, University of Tampa).

Honors programs at NC State make rigorous but realistic demands, and reward students with valuable research experience, insights into the methods of graduate study, and preparation for a lifetime of self-education. 

Anthropology

Admission

Students may enter the Honors program in their junior year if they have a minimum GPA of 3.50 overall and in the major with at least 12 hours of major coursework.  Qualified students are identified and notified of their eligibility by letter before the start of the semester.  An “Honors Course Plan of Work” form is normally submitted early in the junior year, but must be submitted at least two semesters before graduation.  Application and admission to the Honors Program are determined by the Anthropology Director of the Honors Program upon approval of the plan of work form.

Requirements

To complete the program successfully, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.50 overall and in the major, and complete the following requirements:

  • Must complete 6 hours of undergraduate coursework taken for honors credit at the 300 or 400 level in ANT courses.
  • Must complete 3 hours of master’s level coursework at the 500 level in ANT courses. 
  • Must maintain a minimum B+ grade in undergraduate courses taken for honors credit and a minimum B grade in graduate courses taken for honors credit.
  • The Honors coursework must be in courses at the 300 level or above and taken for Honors credit (not including courses for which the student has already received credit), and must be taught by tenured or tenure-track faculty. 
  • ANT 411 and ANT 416 are eligible for inclusion as Honors credit courses.
  • “Honors Course: Plan of Work” form must be completed and signed by the student and the instructor and submitted to the Anthropology Director of the Honors program prior to the end of the second full week of classes of the semester in which the Honors course is taken. 

Sociology

Admission

Students may enter the Honors program in their junior year if they have a minimum GPA of 3.25 overall and in the major with at least 12 hours of major coursework.  Qualified students are identified and notified of their eligibility by letter before the start of the semester.  An “Honors Course Plan of Work” form is normally submitted early in the junior year, but must be submitted at least two semesters before graduation.  Application and admission to the Honors Program are determined by the Sociology Director of the Honors Program upon approval of the plan of work form.

Requirements

To complete the program successfully, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 overall and in the major, and complete the following requirements:

  • Must complete 12 hours of course work taken for Honors credit (9 in major and 3 in SOC 498H).  
  • The Honors coursework must be in courses at the 300 level or above and taken for Honors credit (not including courses for which the student has already received credit), and must be taught by tenured or tenure-track faculty. 
  • SOC 300, SOC 400, and SOC 401 are eligible for inclusion as Honors credit courses, however, if SOC 300 is selected, the required number of Honors credit hours is increased to thirteen.
  • “Honors Course: Plan of Work” form must be completed and signed by the student and the instructor and submitted to the Sociology Director of the Honors program prior to the end of the second full week of classes of the semester in which the Honors course is taken.

Thesis

  • The thesis is a 20-30 page paper prepared under the supervision of a departmental faculty member.
  • It may be empirical or discursive, applied or basic research, but it must be explicitly grounded in sociology literature.
  • The paper usually represents work undertaken in connection with SOC 498H or some other course. The thesis can be an extension of an assignment from a previous course. 
  • “Honors Thesis: Plan of Work” form must be completed and signed by the student and the instructor and submitted to the Sociology Director of the Honors program prior to the end of the second full week of classes of the semester in which the Honors course is taken. 
Honors Thesis: Guidelines

Criminology

Admission

Students may enter the Honors program in their junior year if they have a minimum GPA of 3.25 overall and in the major with at least 12 hours of major coursework.  Qualified students are identified and notified of their eligibility by letter before the start of the semester.  An “Honors Course Plan of Work” form is normally submitted early in the junior year, but must be submitted at least two semesters before graduation.  Application and admission to the Honors Program are determined by the Criminology Director of the Honors Program upon approval of the plan of work form.

Requirements

To complete the program successfully, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 overall and in the major, and complete the following requirements:

  • Must complete 12 hours of course work taken for Honors credit (9 in major and 3 in SOC 498H).  
  • The Honors coursework must be in courses at the 300 level or above and taken for Honors credit (not including courses for which the student has already received credit), and must be taught by tenured or tenure-track faculty. 
  • SOC 300, SOC 400, and SOC 401 are eligible for inclusion as Honors credit courses, however, if SOC 300 is selected, the required number of Honors credit hours is increased to thirteen.
  • “Honors Course: Plan of Work” form must be completed and signed by the student and the instructor and submitted to the Criminology Director of the Honors program prior to the end of the second full week of classes of the semester in which the Honors course is taken.

Thesis

  • The thesis is a 20-30 page paper prepared under the supervision of a departmental faculty member.
  • It may be empirical or discursive, applied or basic research, but it must be explicitly grounded in sociology literature.
  • The paper usually represents work undertaken in connection with SOC 498H or some other course. The thesis can be an extension of an assignment from a previous course
  • “Honors Thesis: Plan of Work” form must be completed and signed by the student and the instructor and submitted to the Criminology Director of the Honors program prior to the end of the second full week of classes of the semester in which the Honors course is taken. 
Honors Thesis: Guidelines

Recognition

Students who complete the Honors Program in Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology will be recognized by having an “DH” beside their names in the Commencement program, the phrase, “Completed Honors Program in Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology” on their permanent transcripts, and their names in the Honors Convocation Program.

Questions?

Reach out to Virginia Riel to learn more about our Honors Programs.