Graduating with Honors in Economics
Qualified students majoring in economics have the opportunity to apply to graduate with honors in economics. To graduate with honors, a student must complete a research paper and presentation under the mentorship of a faculty advisor. Students considering applying for honors should look at past honors projects. (Link to Past Research Projects webpage)
To graduate with honors, students must complete the following requirements:
- Student enrolls in ECN 970 Economics Independent Study/Research course for 0.5 credits in fall and/or spring semesters of his/her senior year.
- Student averages an A- or better over the two research courses, as graded by the Honors Project Advisor.
- Student maintains a college GPA of 3.7 or higher.
Getting Started
Students should meet with individual faculty members during the spring semester of their junior year, if possible, to begin exploring possible research topics. The student should select a potential Honors Project Advisor, from the economics program, by the end of their junior year. The faculty advisor will serve as a mentor.
Project Proposal
Students must submit an Honors Project Proposal to desired Honors Project Advisor by the end of the junior year, if possible. The proposal must be agreed upon by the advisor and the student before the student can enroll in ECN970. By the first week of the fall semester of the student’s senior year, full-time faculty members of the Economics Program will accept the student as an honors candidate. All members of the ABEF Department will be informed of the Honors Project.
What to Expect
The student and the advisor will meet regularly (generally weekly) throughout both semesters. The student is to prepare a research paper according to the requirements stipulated by the Honors Project Advisor. In April, the student presents his/project at a departmental seminar. The presentation is usually one hour in length – approximately 30 minutes of presentation and 30 minutes of discussion with faculty. Invitations to attend are sent to all ABEF faculty and others who may be interested in the student’s work.
