How to Graduate With Honors:

  • Earn a GPA of 3.5 in the major (for all three department majors), 3.25 overall
  • Complete an honors thesis
  • In order to be considered for graduation with honors, you must submit an application to soci@dornsife.usc.edu detailing your thesis proposal no later than the last Friday in March of junior year
  • Draft due: To your advisor no later than the second Friday in March of senior year
  • Click here for the application
    • Write a research proposal during your Research Methods** (SOCI 313) course (sophomore or junior year)
    • Choose a topic that corresponds with an upper division elective you plan to take in an upcoming semester
    • Conduct research in conjunction with upper division elective or Applied Methods** (SOCI 325) course
    • Attend honors thesis workshops
    • While the length of honors theses will vary, they are generally between 30-45 pages, including graphs, tables, references, and appendices

    **Note that these two courses are required for SOCI students only, and that HHSC and NGO majors should consult with their departments and thesis advisors for any methods course recommendations.

    • Choose an advisor: No later than the last Friday in September of senior year (but earlier if possible). You and your advisor must sign the Honors Thesis Statement of Intent form and turn it in to soci@dornsife.usc.edu no later than the last Friday in September of your senior year.
      • We recommend creating a schedule of when you will check in with your advisor (at least 2-3 times per semester). Please respond promptly to any feedback you receive from your advisor.
    • Draft due: To your advisor no later than the second Friday in March of senior year
    • Suggested revisions: Should be given by advisor no later than the last Friday in March of senior year
    • Revisions due: No later than the second Friday in April of senior year
    • Evaluation: By advisor (and possibly members of the undergraduate committee); Advisor must sign the Honors Thesis Statement of Completion form, which student turns in to soci@dornsife.usc.edu no later than the last day of classes.

Juniors and seniors who have made substantial progress toward completion of the program and have achieved a 3.3 GPA in Sociology and a 3.0 GPA overall are eligible for the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honors Society.