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Honors Program

The Honors Program is a research opportunity available to outstanding students in most disciplines. Administered by individual departments in partnership with Emory College staff, the program enables students to do intensive work in a chosen area extending beyond ordinary course requirements and ordinary standards of performance.

Overview

  1. 2

    Sophomore Year: Explore & Prepare

    • Identify a potential thesis topic.
    • Learn the foundational skills needed to conduct research in your major through research methods courses, independent study opportunities, or Undergraduate Research Programs.
    • Meet with your Department Honors Coordinator to discuss program planning.
  2. 3

    Junior Year: Plan your Research

    • Draft a thesis proposal.
    • Review departmental honors requirements and application procedures.
    • Identify and connect with a faculty member who can serve as your thesis advisor.
    • Inform the Department Honors Coordinator of your interest in pursuing honors research and complete required department processes to enroll in the Honors Program.
  3. 4

    Senior Year: Complete the Honors Program

    • Enroll in Honors Program research coursework.
    • Conduct research, write, and revise your thesis under the guidance of your thesis advisor.
    • Recruit your faculty thesis committee and defend your thesis before the committee.

Program Requirements

  • Receive approval from your major department
  • Cumulative average of 3.70 GPA OR a cumulative 3.45 GPA with a successful petition into the program
  • Pursue honors in only one major or joint major
  • Be in residence and enrolled in 495A and 495BW during your final two semesters (see FAQ for exceptions)
  • Be enrolled in the Emory College Honors Program Canvas page
  • Successfully research, write, and defend thesis before a student-assembled faculty committee
  • Publish thesis to the Emory Theses and Dissertations site 
  • Comply with departmental 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 (listed below) for more information. 

Department Information

The honors coordinator is a faculty member in a specific department or program responsible for overseeing all aspects of undergraduate research honors. They assist students with eligibility criteria, the application process, selecting thesis advisors, research and funding opportunities, and scheduling the final defense.

DepartmentNameEmail
African StudiesMichelle Gordonmygordo@emory.edu
African American StudiesMariana Candidomariana.pinho.candido@emory.edu
American StudiesPeter Wakefieldpwakefi@emory.edu
Ancient Mediterranean StudiesJinyu Liujinyu.liu@emory.edu
AnthropologyRobert Paulrpaul@emory.edu
Art HistoryLinda Merrilllmerri2@emory.edu
BiologyLeila Riederleila.rieder@emory.edu
ChemistryAntonio Brathwaiteantonio.brathwaite@emory.edu
ChineseMaria Sibaumaria.sibau@emory.edu
ClassicsLouise Prattlpratt@emory.edu
Comparative LiteratureRon Mendoza de Jesusronald.mendoza-de.jesus@emory.edu
Computer ScienceDavide Fossatidavide.fossati@emory.edu
Creative WritingJericho Brownjerichobro@emory.edu
Dance and Movement StudiesMara Mandradjieffmara.p.mandrajieff@emory.edu
Data and Decision Sciences (formerly QTM)Kevin McAlisterkmcalis@emory.edu
East Asian StudiesCheryl Crowleyccrowle@emory.edu
EconomicsStephen O'Connellsoconnell@emory.edu
Economics and MathematicsSee Economics or Mathematics-
EnglishJim Moreyjmorey@emory.edu
English and Creative WritingJericho Brownjerichobro@emory.edu
Environmental SciencesTony Martingeoam@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 HealthMyra Woodworth-Hobbsmewoodw@emory.edu
Integrated Visual ArtsDana Haugaarddana.haugaard@emory.edu
Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and CulturePeter Wakefieldpwakefi@emory.edu
International StudiesPolitical Science Coordinator-
Italian StudiesAngela Porcarelliangela.porcarelli@emory.edu
JapaneseCheryl Crowleyccrowle@emory.edu
Jewish StudiesMichael Bergermichael.berger@emory.edu
Latin American, Latinx, and Caribbean StudiesLaura Juliana Torres-Rodriguezlaura.juliana.torres-rodriguez@emory.edu
LinguisticsYun Kimyun.kim@emory.edu
MathematicsManuela Manettamanuela.manetta@emory.edu
Middle Eastern and South Asian StudiesPetra Creamerpetra.maria.creamer@emory.edu
MusicHeidi Senungetukheidi.aklaseaq.senungetuk@emory.edu
Neuroscience and Behavioral BiologyLeah Roeschleah.roesch@emory.edu 
PhilosophyMichael Schwarzmichael.stephan.schwarz@emory.edu
Philosophy, Politics, LawMichael Schwarzmichael.stephan.schwarz@emory.edu
PhysicsAlissa Bansabans@emory.edu
Political ScienceDavid Davis, IIIpoldd@emory.edu 
PsychologyLynne Nygaardlnygaar@emory.edu
Public Policy AnalysisSee Political Science or DDS-
ReligionBill Gilderswgilder@emory.edu
Russian/REESRaymond De Lucaraymond.scott.de.luca@emory.edu 
SociologyJeff Mullisjmullis@emory.edu 
SpanishHernan Feldmanhfeldma@emory.edu
Spanish and LinguisticsHernan Feldmanhfeldma@emory.edu
Spanish and PortugueseHernan Feldmanhfeldma@emory.edu 
Theater StudiesMichael Evendenmevende@emory.edu 
Women's, Gender, and Sexuality StudiesSameena Mullasameena.mulla@emory.edu 

Frequently Asked Questions

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. 

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. 

Yes. To pursue Honors on an alternative timeline, you must:

  • Request permission from your departmental honors coordinator,
  • Ensure your honors coordinator notifies the College Honors Program administrators, and
  • Pursue honors for two consecutive semesters (not including summer semester).

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. 

Questions?