Graduating With Honors
Outstanding students in communication may elect to pursue an honors option. Graduating
with Honors requires superior performance in communication classes, as well as the
completion of a senior honors thesis. The thesis is undertaken in the last semester
of the senior year and provides a capstone intellectual experience for students
of demonstrated academic achievement.
Fashina Mira Adale (C ’11) receives the C. Nicole Dickerson Award,
given in memory of undergraduate adviser C. Nicole Dickerson,
from Dean Michael X. Delli Carpini.
Requirements
Graduation with Honors in Communication requires the following:
1. Completion of all regular requirements for the major.
2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher in all University of Pennsylvania
courses.
3. Completion of an approved honors thesis (Comm 499) with a grade of “A-minus”
or higher.
How to Apply
Students interested in pursuing the honors option are strongly encouraged to discuss
their curriculum with Alison Berstecher, Director of Student Services and Registrar,
as early as possible in their course of studies. Permission to register for Comm
499 (Senior Honors Thesis) requires a minimum cumulative average of 3.50 at the
time of registration, careful advance planning, consultation with potential faculty
supervisors, agreement from a faculty member to supervise the thesis, and formal
approval of the School.
When to Apply
No later than the middle of the term preceding the thesis semester, the student
must obtain an agreement from a member of the standing faculty in Communication
to supervise the thesis. The student must also prepare an original, written proposal
outlining the questions for research, a review of literature, proposed evidence,
and methods of inquiry. Where the proposed thesis builds on work completed in a
previous course, a copy of this work must be submitted with the thesis proposal.
Thesis proposal forms can be obtained from the Undergraduate Office or from the
Annenberg School’s web site (click here
to download a copy). The proposal must be signed by the supervising faculty member
and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and received by the Undergraduate
Office by the deadline specified in the semester preceding the thesis semester.
Honors thesis proposal form is also available in PDF form. Click here to download PDF.