INTRODUCTION

The Honors Program exists to meet the needs of those students interested in pursuing in-depth a particular interest in the form of a serious scholarly work, drawing upon learning acquired while at Wesleyan. The Program provides an opportunity for students to be recognized for an outstanding written work, or in the case of Studio Art, Music, Film or Theater majors, a performance or other artistic project.

Departmental Honors are awarded to the student who has done outstanding work in the major field of study and met the standards for Honors or High Honors set by the respective department or program.

University Honors is the highest award Wesleyan bestows. To be eligible, a student must fulfill General Education Expectations, earn High Honors on the thesis/project within the department or program, be recommended for University Honors by their department, and qualify in an oral exam administered by the Honors Committee.

The Honors Committee oversees the granting of Honors to Wesleyan graduates, hears petitions, selects University Honors recipients, and supervises students who elect to stand as candidates for Honors in General Scholarship. Beth Labriola, Senior Associate Registrar, assists  the Honors Committee and the students writing theses by coordinating the mechanics of the process, providing forms, schedules, and reminders as needed, and by receiving the completed theses in the Spring while overseeing the evaluation process.

Who do I see to become a candidate for Honors?

Begin by talking with the appropriate person in your major department during your junior year if possible. Most Wesleyan honors are granted by academic departments, and students need to follow their procedures. If you are a double major and want to write one thesis for consideration by both departments, you must have permission from each by having each Chair sign your senior thesis tutorial form.

There are two exceptions to those candidates working with academic departments -- those seeking Honors who are University majors and those writing a thesis not represented by a Wesleyan academic department. These students should see Beth Labriola for details on writing a General Scholarship thesis.

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