HONORS REQUIREMENTS: SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS (SPA)
The University Honors Program encourages all students who are planning a capstone project to submit their
capstone form, proposal and work plan well in advance of the deadline to allow the Capstone Advisor(s) and Honors
Department Coordinators sufficient time to review the proposals. Students should contact their individual Honors
Department Coordinator to confirm how much lead time he/she requires to review a capstone proposal and about
any preference for submitting a proposal electronically.
University Honors in Political Science:
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in Government): 6 credits
III. Level III Options (Honors Senior Capstone): 6 credits
The student registers for GOVT-480 Honors Senior Seminar I (3 credits - fall semester) and GOVT-481 Honors
Senior Seminar II (3 credits - spring semester). During GOVT-480 the student designs the research project,
developing the research question, literature review and study design. During GOVT-481 the student writes/executes
the project. Throughout the year, the student meets individually with the Honors Coordinator and the Capstone
Advisor, as well as with the other students doing Honors capstone research. The entire capstone is graded by both
the Department Honors Coordinator and by the individual Capstone Advisor.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Kimberly Cowell-Meyers, Ward 221, x6223, kcowell@american.edu
University Honors in Justice, Law and Criminology
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in JLC): 6 credits
III. Level III Options (Honors Senior Capstone): 6 credits
The student registers for JLC-490 Independent Study Project in Justice (3 credits) for two semesters; "Honors
Capstone" should appear in the project title line on the course registration form, and the capstone should be
supervised by a faculty member in the JLC Department.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Bill Davies, Ward 257, x2319, davies@american.edu
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University Honors in CLEG:
I. Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes): no minimum
II. Level II Options (300- or above level Honors classes in any area(s) of CLEG): 6-9 credits
III. Level III Options: (Honors Senior Capstone): 3-6 credits
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Option A: The student completes the appropriate Honors in the Major Capstone for either COMM, JLC,
GOVT, or ECON.
Option B: CLEG majors may also complete their capstone through an HNRS-498 University Honors
Capstone. Note: requires Independent Study Registration Form.
Students cannot supplement the GOVT-489 CLEG Senior Seminar for their capstone. However, it is permitted to
supplement it for non-capstone upper-level Honors credits.
Department Honors Coordinator: Prof. Kimberly Cowell-Meyers, Ward 221, x6223, kcowell@american.edu
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