2012-2013 - Sweet Briar College

The award of the Honors Degree is noted on both the student's transcript and diploma. A student who
also successfully completes the Senior Honors Thesis project in her major department will be awarded
the Honors Degree with Honors in the major (Departmental Honors).
II. Departmental Honors
In order to receive Departmental Honors at graduation, a student must successfully complete the Senior
Honors Thesis project. A student may earn Departmental Honors independent of the Honors Degree.
The student will work closely with her faculty thesis advisor in developing her topic and executing her
Senior Honors Thesis project. Departmental Honors at one of three levels (Honors, High Honors,
Highest Honors) will be indicated on the transcript of those students who have successfully completed
the Senior Honors Thesis project and these honors will be announced at Commencement. A student
who is interested in completing Departmental Honors should consult with the department chair in her
major, her faculty thesis advisor, and the director of the Honors Program early in her college career,
particularly if she plans to spend a semester or more abroad. Students should confirm whether their
major department requires the 470 Advanced Honors course as a prerequisite to initiating a Senior
Honors Thesis project. If required by the department, the course must be completed before the start of
the student's senior year. In no case shall a student be enrolled simultaneously in both 470 and 472.
To be eligible to initiate a Senior Honors Thesis project, a student must meet the following
requirements by the start of the fall term of her senior year:
1) Completion of at least three courses that count toward the major
2) If required by the department, completion of the 470 Advanced Honors course in the major, or an
approved substitution. If the Advanced Honors course is not required by the department, then the
student may propose a Senior Honors Thesis project without having completed that experience.
3) A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
Senior Honors Thesis Project
The Senior Honors Thesis project provides the Honors student with the opportunity to design and
complete a long-term project in her major department. At the beginning of the fall semester of her
senior year, the student submits a thesis proposal based on preliminary work done during her junior
year. If the thesis proposal is approved, the year-long research project of creative endeavor moves
forward under the direction of a faculty member from, or approved by, her major department.
Periodically, she may meet with other students doing thesis work and with the director of the Honors
Program. The Senior Honors Thesis project must be completed in a form specified by the major
department no later than two weeks before the end of classes in a student’s final semester. The thesis
project is evaluated by a committee made up of the candidate’s thesis advisor, a second reader from the
College, and a third reader from outside the College, most often faculty from another college. The
committee also conducts an oral examination on the thesis and determines the level of honors (Honors,
High Honors, Highest Honors) to be awarded. To be recognized for Honors work, the student must earn
a grade of B+ or higher on her Senior Honors Thesis project. A candidate who does not meet the
requirements for successful completion of the Senior Honors Thesis project is transferred to candidacy
for the regular degree and will receive credit for independent study for her work.
Academic Procedures
Responsibility for Property
Students are responsible for any damage to College property, beyond normal wear and tear, and an