International RelationsThe University grants students cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude (Latin honors) according to its own standards. Independent of such honors granted by the College, students may earn a BA "With Distinction in International Relations" by meeting the requirements set forth by the IR Program. They are:
- Minimum 3.60 GPA in the 14 C.U.s required for the major
- A 3.50 GPA overall
- Grade of "A" or "A-" on the senior thesis (This is the grade on the paper itself, and may be different from the grade you receive for your performance in the senior thesis seminar.)
- Attendance AND presentation in the Annual IR Student Research Conference
- At least one (1) foreign language C.U. beyond the minimum College Language Requirement, or otherwise demonstrated advanced proficiency in a non-native tongue.
- Native speakers of a language other than English are waived this requirement.
- The additional C.U. of language instruction NEED NOT be in the same language used to satisfy the College Language Requirement
- Starting with the class of 2026, we will accept one semester of quantitative methods training (e.g. PSCI 1800, CRIM 4002, COMM 2550, LING 0700, etc.) to satisfy the additional language training requirement.
Honors status will be determined automatically by the Program upon completion of the senior thesis in the spring of your senior year. Those meeting the requirements will be notified of their status accordingly.