a. Newly admitted students must satisfy one of the following conditions:

• A minimum high school GPA of 3.6
• A minimum combined total of 1200 from the critical reading and mathematics SAT sections with a minimum score of 500 in each section
• A minimum combined ACT score of 27 with a minimum score of 22 in both math and English
• A minimum transfer GPA of 3.6 (based on at least 36 quarter credits)

b. Continuing students must satisfy each of the following conditions:

• A minimum GPA of 3.3 in all classes taken at SOU
• A minimum GPA in the major of 3.5
• A member of the permanent faculty must agree to serve as advisor

c. To continue in the departmental honors program and graduate with departmental honors, students must maintain the levels of achievement outlined in requirement 1b.

a. Students pursuing honors in the History or Political Science major

Students pursuing honors in the History or Political Science major are required to produce an honors thesis based on original research. The honors thesis will constitute the student’s capstone project.  Specific guidelines will be provided by the faculty advisor.

• It is expected that the focused student research with faculty direction over the course of 3 to 6 terms will generate a superior final product which demonstrates independence of mind and judgment; capacity to design and execute a complex project; advanced research skills; and skills of analysis, synthesis, and clear written and oral communication.

b. To achieve departmental honors, students will:

• Ask a permanent faculty member in History or Political Science to serve as their mentor. Once a permanent faculty member accepts, the student and faculty mentor will work together to develop a research and writing plan.
• Complete additional work in an appropriate upper-division course taught by the faculty mentor designed to advance the research project. Examples of possible assignments include, but are not limited to, completion of an annotated bibliography; completion of a bibliographic or historiographic essay; and/or completion of an oral presentation.
• Complete HST401H or PS 401H (Research) where most of the research will be completed for the Honors Thesis.  The work completed in this course will be the basis for a thesis to be completed in either HST 415H or PS 498H.
• Write the Honors thesis while enrolled in HST 415H (Capstone) or PS 498H (Senior Seminar), under the direction of the faculty advisor.

c. Presentation of honors thesis

Honors students are expected to present their honors theses at the annual Southern Oregon Arts and Research (SOAR) program in the spring and in a departmental venue (such as the capstone or senior seminar).