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Honors Program

Honors Programs are available to outstanding students in most, but not all, areas of concentration. Administered by a faculty Honors Committee, these programs enable students to do intensive work in a chosen area and therefore involve work that extends beyond ordinary course requirements and ordinary standards of performance. 

Requirements

Requirements of Program

  • Cumulative average of 3.70 GPA by their first three years 
  • Students with at least a cumulative 3.45 GPA can petition into the program 
  • Students may pursue honors in only one major or joint major 
  • Must be enrolled in Emory College Honors Program Canvas Page
  • Successfully research and defend thesis 
  • Publish thesis to the Emory Theses and Dissertations site

Level of Honors

  • Honors: represents satisfactory completion of the program, with an overall average of 3.70
  • High Honors: represents completion of the program with outstanding performance, including an overall average of 3.70 and a thesis of quality sufficient for oral presentation to scholars in the candidate's field
  • Highest Honors: represents completion of the program with exceptional performance, including an overall average of 3.70 and a thesis of a quality suitable for publication

Embargos & Petitions

Current students in the program will be able to set an embargo for 6-month, 1 year or 2 years when submitting their thesis. Honors Program alumni can submit a request for an extension by completing the form. If you need an extension longer than 2 years, it will require review and approval from the Honors Committee. The following will be required:  A letter from you that covers the following: 

  • Brief explanation of your project 
  • The reason you need an extended embargo 
  • The length of embargo you are requesting (e.g. 3 years) 
  • A letter of support from your thesis advisor confirming that the extended embargo is necessary/appropriate for your thesis; this can be in the form of an email and can be sent directly to ec.honorsprogram@emory.edu 

In May and August, the Honors Committee considers petitions to be admitted to Honors from students who do not meet the 3.7 cumulative GPA requirement. Students who have a GPA of at least 3.45, and the support of their departmental honors coordinator and potential thesis advisor are eligible to petition. Students who are admitted by petition must earn at least the cumulative GPA with which they entered the Honors Program. Thus, if a student enters the Honors Program through a petition with a 3.5 cumulative GPA, that student must maintain at least a cumulative 3.5 GPA in every subsequent semester to be eligible to continue in the Honors Program. 

  • GPA Petition Deadlines:
    • May – TBA for students graduating in Spring 2026
    • August – TBA  for students graduating in Spring 2026
GPA Petition Form

Each student in the College Honors Program must defend their thesis before a faculty committee. If a student would like to include someone who is adjunct, visiting, or emeritus faculty, or a post-doctoral fellow, the department Honors Coordinator will have to petition to the College Honors Committee for approval. If committee member is approved, they can serve on committee’s for 3 years.

  • Thesis Committee Petition Deadlines:
    • Fall Deadline: TBA
Thesis Committee Petition Form

 

Department Information

  • August – TBA for Fall/Spring students 2025-2026

Honors ProgramCoordinatorEmail
African American StudiesAngelique Andersonangelique.anderson@emory.edu 
African StudiesTBDTBD
American StudiesPeter Wakefieldpwakefi@emory.edu
Ancient Mediterranean StudiesEmily L. Masteremily.laura.master@emory.edu 
AnthropologyRobert Paulrpaul@emory.edu  
Art HistoryMegan O'Neilmegan.eileen.oneil@emory.edu 
BiologyAlex Escobaralexander.escobar@emory.edu 
Chemistry Antonio Brathwaiteantonio.brathwaite@emory.edu 
ChineseMaria Sibaumaria.sibau@emory.edu  
ClassicsLouise Prattlpratt@emory.edu 
Comparative LiteratureAngelika Bammerabammer@emory.edu 
Computer ScienceDavide Fossatidavide.fossati@emory.edu
Creative WritingTayari Jonestayari.jones@emory.edu 
Dance and Movement StudiesGregory Catelliergcatell@emory.edu 
Dance and Movement StudiesMara Mandradjieffmara.p.mandrajieff@emory.edu 
East Asian Studies

Cheryl Crowley

ccrowle@emory.edu
Economics

Stephen O'Connell

soconnell@emory.edu 
Economics and MathematicsEconomics or Mathematics Coord.-
EnglishRoss Knechtross.knecht@emory.edu 
English and Creative WritingJericho Brownjerichobro@emory.edu 
Environmental StudiesEmily Burchfieldemily.burchfield@emory.edu  
Film and MediaTanine Allisontanine.allison@emory.edu 
French StudiesNoelle Giguerenoelle.c.giguere@emory.edu 
German StudiesPaul Buchholzpaul.joseph.buchholz@emory.edu 
HistoryPatrick Allittpallitt@emory.edu   
Human HealthAmanda Freemanaafreem@emory.edu 
Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and CulturePeter Wakefieldpwakefi@emory.edu
International StudiesPolitical Science Coord.-
Integrated Visual ArtsDana Haugaarddana.haugaard@emory.edu 
Italian StudiesAngela Porcarelliangela.porcarelli@emory.edu 
JapaneseCheryl Crowleyccrowle@emory.edu 
Jewish StudiesMichael Bergermichael.berger@emory.edu 
Latin American and Caribbean StudiesRobert Goddardrobert.goddard@emory.edu 
LinguisticsYun Kimyun.kim@emory.edu 
MathematicsManuela Manettamanuela.manetta@emory.edu 
Middle Eastern and South Asian StudiesCourtney Freercourtney.jean.freer@emory.edu
MusicLaura Emmerylaura.emmery@emory.edu 
Neuroscience and Behavioral BiologyLeah Roeschleah.roesch@emory.edu 
PhilosophyDilek Huseyinzadegandhuseyin1@emory.edu 
Philosophy, Politics, LawDilek Huseyinzadegandhuseyin1@emory.edu 
PhysicsAlissa Bansabans@emory.edu
Political ScienceDavid Davis, IIIpoldd@emory.edu 
PsychologyLynne Nygaardlnygaar@emory.edu 
Public Policy AnalysisPolitical Science or QTM Coordinator 
Quantitative Theory & MethodsKevin McAlisterkmcalis@emory.edu  
ReligionPam Hallpmhall@emory.edu  
Russian/REESJuliette Apkarianrussjsa@emory.edu 
SociologyJeff Mullisjmullis@emory.edu
SpanishLisa Dillmanldillma@emory.edu 
Spanish and LinguisticsLisa Dillmanldillma@emory.edu 
Spanish and LinguisticsSusan Tamasistamasi@emory.edu 
Spanish and PortugueseLisa Dillmanldillma@emory.edu 
Theater StudiesMichael Evendenmevende@emory.edu  
Women's, Gender and Sexuality StudiesSameena Mullasameena.mulla@emory.edu   

Frequently Asked Questions

Students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.7, to be enrolled at Emory for both semesters in which they are pursuing honors, to be in residence, and enrolled in at least one hour of honors research during the final semester of their participation in the Honors Program, to complete the mandatory orientation in Canvas and any other required trainings, to write and defend an honors thesis, and to submit all required honors forms and complete the ETD submission process. Additionally, many departments have their own requirements for honors students; be sure to check with your Departmental Honors Coordinator to find out what, if any, additional requirements you must meet.

Admission to the Emory College Honors Program requires a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or above, and students must maintain a cumulative 3.7 GPA through graduation to be eligible to graduate with Honors. Only Emory grades (including Emory-sponsored study abroad programs and courses offered at Emory but outside the College, such as those offered by the Goizueta Business School) are calculated as part of a student’s Emory GPA.

In May and August, the Honors Committee considers petitions to be admitted to Honors from students who do not meet the 3.7 cumulative GPA requirement. Students who have a GPA of at least 3.45, and the support of their departmental honors coordinator and potential thesis advisor are eligible to petition. Students who are admitted by petition must earn at least the cumulative GPA with which they entered the Honors Program. Thus, if a student enters the Honors Program through a petition with a 3.5 cumulative GPA, that student must maintain at least a cumulative 3.5 GPA in every subsequent semester to be eligible to continue in the Honors Program.

With special permission in cases of academic relevance, students may study abroad during the first semester of their participation in the Honors Program. All students are required to be in residence during the final semester of participation in the Honors Program.

Students enrolled in a 4+1 Program, which allows current students to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years, must complete the Honors Program before the end of the bachelor portion of their program (i.e., their senior year in the College). Students can participate in the Honors Ceremony when they graduate and receive both degrees.

Students involved in the Emory/GA Tech dual degree program should complete the Honors Program, including the defense of the thesis, by the end of the student’s coursework at Emory before moving to Georgia Tech (typically the end of the third year). The Honors Program will continue to track these students to ensure they receive the appropriate recognition at the end of the program at Georgia Tech when they graduate and receive both degrees. Students can participate in the Honors Ceremony when they graduate and receive both degrees.

The College requires honors students to be in residence and enrolled in at least one hour of honors credit during the semester in which they are completing the Honors Program. However, many departments have additional requirements for honors coursework, which typically includes two semesters of honors research/writing and sometimes an additional graduate course or seminar; be sure to check with your Departmental Honors Coordinator for more information.

Students will receive credit for the continued writing/continued communication GER credit in the second semester of the Honors Program only. The Honors 495BW course will satisfy the continued writing/continued communication GER even if the student enrolls for less than three credits.

No. Students may pursue honors in only one of their declared majors (or in an official joint major that they have declared). Students who are double majoring may design an interdisciplinary project that draws on both majors with the approval of the department in which they are seeking honors, but they will only receive honors in one major.

No. Honors may only be pursued in the student’s declared major.

Committees must consist of at least three core members. Core committee members must be regular Emory University faculty members from any school or unit. One member must be from the student’s honors major and at least one member must be from Emory College. Your advisor counts as one of the three core members. You may have additional core committee members from the faculty of Emory University. You may also have additional non-core committee members from the faculty of other universities, but only core committee members vote on the level of honors. 

Regular faculty titles typically include professor, associate professor, assistant professor, teaching professor (professor of pedagogy), associate teaching professor (senior lecturer), assistant teaching professor (lecturer), but might also include titles such as Instructor or Research Associate. 

Adjunct, visiting, emeritus, and post-doctoral fellows must petition to the Honors Committee to be permitted to serve on committees as core committee members. Once a faculty petition has been approved, it is valid for three years.

Members of the staff are not eligible to serve on committees. 

If you have questions about someone’s eligibility or about the petition process, contact ec.honorsprogram@emory.edu. 

The student is responsible for scheduling their thesis defense. Defenses can be held in-person, online, or in a hybrid setting.

Students who are completing the Honors Program in the Spring semester and have permission to walk are allowed to participate in the Honors Ceremony. Students who are graduating in the fall may participate in the Honors Ceremony that follows their graduation. Contact the Honors Program Administrator for more information.

Yes. Students may pursue Honors on an alternative timeline, with permission from their department and in coordination with the College Honors Program Administrator, but must pursue honors for two consecutive semesters (not including summer semester).

If you have decided to drop the Honors Program, you must notify both the College Honors Program Administrator and your Departmental Honors Coordinator by completing the drop form. If dropping after College withdrawal deadlines, you must work with your advisor and/or honors coordinator to finish the honors course in which you are enrolled.

The Honors Ceremony is held on the afternoon of the Sunday before Commencement.

If you are struggling academically, have petitioned a college standing committee for special circumstances, or there is an extraordinary experience that is affecting your academic path, please get in touch with the honors coordinator in your department and the honors program immediately so your best options for honors can be determined.

Mission Statement

Honors Committee works in collaboration with individual academic departments and programs that offer honors. This committee has the final authority over decisions about student petitions and exceptions. Other decisions of the Honors Committee concerning policies may be appealed to the Senate, which can refer the issue to the Curriculum, Assessment, and Educational Policy Committee, or another relevant standing committee.  

Upcoming Committee Meeting Dates: *must be invited to attend*

  • Tuesday, January 21, 2025
  • Thursday, February 27, 2025
  • Tuesday, March 25, 2025
  • Thursday, April 17, 2025
  • Thursday, May 1, 2025