Departmental/Major Honors Programs

In an effort to provide challenging and alternative curricular options to its best undergraduates, the University has taken a revitalized interest in encouraging its academic departments and programs to offer high-quality honors programs. The main focus of the honors degree is the honors project, which is conceived as an original piece of written research or a creative project submitted in the senior year. Currently, honors programs exist in the following majors: anthropology, art (departmental studio program), atmospheric science, biology, Chinese studies, computer science (all three programs), East Asian studies (interdisciplinary), economics, English, French, geography, geology, Greek and Roman civilization, history, Italian, Japanese studies (interdisciplinary), Judaic studies, Latin American studies, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, Puerto Rican studies, rhetoric and communication, Russian, sociology, and Spanish. Descriptions of these programs may be found under the academic unit offering the program.

Students who complete an honors program may receive a special honors certificate upon the recommendation of their major department.

University-wide honors are conferred at graduation. A student will be graduated: Cum Laude with an average equal to or greater than 3.25 but less than 3.50; Magna Cum Laude with an average equal to or greater than 3.50 but less than 3.75; Summa Cum Laude with an average equal to or greater than 3.75.

HONORS RESIDENCE CRITERIA:  For graduation with honors, students must have completed a minimum of 56 credits in courses for which they registered at this University, including a minimum of 40 University at Albany credits graded on the A-E basis.

IMPLEMENTATION NOTE:  These criteria apply to all undergraduates graduating in August 2000 and thereafter.

For students matriculating Fall 1997 and thereafter: A full-time student shall be placed on the Dean's List for a particular semester if the following conditions are met: Within the award semester matriculated students must have completed at Albany a minimum of 12 graduation credits in courses graded A-E, and must have registered for those credits before the last day for adding semester courses.

The student's semester average must be 3.5 or higher for a sophomore, junior, or senior, and at least 3.25 for a freshman*, with no grade lower than a C, and with no incomplete (I) grades.

* For the purposes of this policy "freshman" is defined as a student whose admissions status is freshman and who has completed no more than two full time semesters of study in the fall or spring semester at the University at Albany.

For students matriculating before Fall 1997: A student shall be placed on the Dean's List for a particular semester if that student has met all of the following criteria:

Within that semester the student must have completed at Albany a minimum of 12 graduation credits in courses graded A-E, and must have registered for those credits before the last day for adding semester courses. The student's semester average must be 3.25 or higher, with no grade lower than C-.

For students matriculating Fall 1997 and thereafter: A student shall receive the Dean's Commendation for Part-Time Students for a particular semester if the student has met all of the following criteria:

A matriculated student must have completed at least 6 graduation credits at the University at Albany within the given semester in courses graded A-E and have been registered for fewer than 12 credits on the last day for adding semester courses.

The student's semester average must be 3.5 or higher for a sophomore, junior, or senior, and at least 3.25 for a freshman*, with no grade lower than C, and with no incomplete (I) grades.

* For the purposes of this policy "freshman" is defined as a student whose admissions status is freshman and who has completed no more than two full time semesters of study in the fall or spring semester at the University at Albany.

For students matriculating before Fall 1997: A student shall receive the Dean's Commendation for Part-Time Students for a particular semester if the student has met all of the following criteria:

A matriculated student must have completed at least 6 graduation credits at the University at Albany within the given semester in courses graded A-E and have been registered for fewer than 12 credits on the last day for adding semester courses. The student's semester average must be 3.25 or higher, with no grade lower than C-.

Students compiling a distinguished academic record at University at Albany, State University of New York may be elected members of the venerable (founded 1776) honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa, in their senior year; or, if they do especially well, in their junior year. To be considered for election, students must have the following:

A major in the liberal arts and sciences, with not fewer than 90 credits of liberal work among the 120 credits needed for graduation. Liberal refers to courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences for the purposes of degree requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees.

Completed at least 3 full semesters of work, or 45 credits, in residence at this University and be pursuing a program toward graduation.

Students pursuing a double major with courses combined from such fields as business, social welfare, or other professional schools may be considered for election in the semester before their expected graduation, if their course work includes at least 90 credits in the liberal arts and sciences. Consideration will be given to courses of a liberal nature, even though they may be offered outside the three colleges of arts and sciences.

The breadth of a student's program is important, as shown by the number and variety of courses taken outside the major. Students are expected to have completed some work in science and mathematics, the social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities, including a foreign language.

To encourage undergraduate scholarship and creative work, and to reward excellence and individual initiative, the University has established the Presidential Awards. The nominees for the awards will be selected on the basis of a major paper or project produced by the student in conjunction with a course or independent study, under the direction of an Albany faculty member. The project's significance will be judged in terms of its academic quality and originality.

Undergraduate and graduate students are nominated for this distinction from across the entire State University of New York. The award is presented by the Chancellor to students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and have received national or international recognition for their efforts. Recipients of this high honor have typically distinguished themselves in their academic work and in a variety of other domains including athletics, service, publication, conference presentation, or artistic performance.

For more information about the Presidential Scholarships, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies at 518-442-3950.

Elena Rodrigues Anderson Presidential Scholarship:  Awarded to a Presidential Scholarship recipient who maintains at least a 3.25 GPA. This scholarship is renewable up to four years.

Edward Gallatin B. Hudson Scholarship:  Awarded to full-time undergraduate students who has demonstrated a strong academic record and shows financial need.

Erica and Michael Olin Scholarship Fund:  Awarded to an incoming freshman who has shown extraordinary academic talent and who has demonstrated a high degree of motivation. Scholarship is intended to be applied to tuition, room, rent, board and books in order to relieve recipient of the costs of their education. Renewable up to four years.

Evan Michael Zahn, M.D. Presidential Scholarship:  Awarded to either a junior or senior who is a member of the Presidential Honors program. This scholarship is renewable.

Scholarships and awards are listed alphabetically according to their affiliation:

College of Arts & Sciences

Academic Excellence in Mathematics:  Awarded annually to one or more graduating seniors on the basis of scholastic achievement in mathematics.

American Institute of Chemists Award:  A medal awarded to an outstanding graduating chemistry major, based on demonstrated record of leadership, ability, character, and scholastic achievement.

B'nai Zion Award Medal:  Awarded annually to the graduating student having the greatest proficiency in Hebrew.

Glenn Bumpus Memorial Award:  Awarded to senior students in the field of biological sciences in recognition of outstanding achievement in undergraduate research and its communication.

Certificate of Achievement:  Awarded to the junior who has maintained the highest cumulative grade point average. The student shall be a major in the Department of Africana Studies.

Chemistry Faculty Award:  Awarded to an outstanding graduating chemistry major who has demonstrated high scholastic standing, good character, and potential for advancement in the chemical profession.

Crippen Prize:  Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior in American History. Candidates must have had at least 18 credits of college level work in American Colonial and United States history, at least 12 credits taken on the University at Albany campus.

Celebration of Undergraduate Achievement Awards:  Awarded annually to honor the work of undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled in a humanities or fine arts class.

CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award:  Awarded annually at the end of the spring semester to a freshman on the basis of outstanding achievement in chemistry.

Christopher DeCormier Memorial Scholarship:  Awarded annually to students studying the Maya Language and/or culture under the direction of the Institute for Mesoamerican Studies, Department of Anthropology.

Delta Omega Scholarship Endowment:  Honoring the memory of the Delta Omega Sorority, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding female student enrolled in the Teacher Education program.

Excellence in Scholarship Award Awarded:  to a major in African/Afro-American studies on the basis of scholarship, outstanding service to the department, and faculty support.

Robert P. Fairbanks Memorial Fund:  Short-term loans designed to provide assistance to students in the field of economics.

Hazel Ferris English Scholarship:  Awarded in alternate years to upper division students majoring in Business in memory of Professor George Morell York and in Theatre in memory of Professor Agnes Futterer, based on academic achievement.

French Embassy Book Prizes:  Each year, the Cultural Attachi of the French Embassy awards prizes of books to the best students in the Department of French.

Agnes E. Futterer Award:  Awarded annually to the graduating senior who has made the most significant contribution to theatre at the University.

Agnes E. Futterer Memorial Fellowship:  Awarded annually to an Albany graduate or graduating senior who was in residence at the University for at least two undergraduate years. The fellowship may be used for graduate study in theatre or theatre-related fields at the University at Albany, at any other accredited university, or in a recognized theatre program.

Narayan Gokhale Award:  Awarded annually to the graduating atmospheric science major with the highest academic average.

Andrea Hanan Music Scholarship:  Awarded annually to an undergraduate entering the music program and/or a continuing first year music major on the basis of outstanding achievement.

Merlin W. Hathaway Memorial Scholarship:  Awarded annually to an upper division student based on high academic achievement, athletic accomplishment, leadership, and outstanding personal characteristics.

Vivian C. Hopkins Scholarship Award:  Awarded annually to an English major who has demonstrated outstanding scholastic ability and character.

Husted Fellowship Award:  Awarded to a graduate student who holds a bachelor's degree from the University and has been in residence at the University for at least two years as an undergraduate. The fellowship may be used for full-time graduate study at the University at Albany or any other accredited university. Priority is given to candidates with a demonstrated aptitude and interest in teaching.

Kappa Beta Scholarship:  Based on merit, the scholarship is awarded every other year to a graduating senior selected by the Department of Judaic Studies who will continue graduate or professional studies in some aspect of Judaic Studies.

Arthur Long Teaching Assistant Award:  Awarded annually to a teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry on the basis or a genuine concern for the intellectual growth of his/her students, high moral and ethical character, and excellence in scholarship.

Leah Lovenheim Award:  Awarded annually by the Department of English for the best student short story.

Mayfred Dutton Lucas '24 Scholarship:  Awarded to a Math major committed to a career as a high school teacher of mathematics.

Shields McIlwaine Award:  Awarded annually by the Department of English for the best student poem.

Anna R. Oliver Memorial Scholarship:  Awarded annually by the Department of Physics to outstanding juniors or seniors.

Gertrude Hunter Parlin Teacher's Scholarship:  Provides annual scholarships for students preparing for careers in teaching.

William Reedy Prize:  Awarded annually by the History Department to an undergraduate student for the best paper submitted in any history course taken at the University during the preceding calendar year.

William E. Rowley Award:  Awarded annually by the Journalism Program in the Department of English for the best journalistic writing by a student.

Ronald R. Schafer Scholarship Fund:  Awarded annually to a student demonstrating notable achievement or future promise in journalism.

Mildred Schmidt Award:  Awarded to the graduating senior with the best academic record in Latin.

Arlene F. Steinberg Award:  Awarded to the junior or senior English major who best shows evidence of scholarly or creative contribution to the understanding of 20th-century fiction, poetry, or drama.

Derk V. Tieszen Award:  Awarded to a senior chemistry major on the basis of demonstrated achievement in chemistry, physics, and mathematics plus potential as a research worker and teacher of chemistry at an advanced level.

James Unger Memorial Award:  Awarded annually by the Department of Political Science on the basis of the best written work in political science submitted by an undergraduate.

Katherine Vario Memorial Scholarship:  To recognize and promote academic achievement in the areas of medicine for an undergraduate student who plans a career in medicine.

Women's Studies Award:  Awarded to a senior women's studies major who has combined outstanding academic achievement with contributions to the women's community on- or off-campus.

Women's Studies Stoneman-Van Vranken Scholarship:  is awarded to the Women's Studies majors, minors, and/or those who have completed at least four Women's Studies courses. The winner is selected on the basis of outstanding performance in Women's Studies courses, significant contributions to the University and larger communities, dedication to feminist principles, and overall academic performance. The award is named for two Albany alumnae whose lives epitomize feminist concerns.

Membership in the following national honoraries and honor societies is available to qualified students. Interested students should contact the appropriate dean or department chair for further information.

Alpha Kappa Delta:  Alpha Kappa Delta is a national honorary society in sociology.

Alpha Phi Sigma:  Alpha Phi Sigma is the national criminal justice honor society.

Beta Gamma Sigma:  Beta Gamma Sigma is the national honor society for students of business administration and accounting.

Dobro Slovo:  Dobro Slovo is the national Slavic honor society.

Gamma Theta Upsilon:  Gamma Theta Upsilon is the International Honor Society in Geography.

Kappa Delta Pi:  is an international honor society in education.

Phi Alpha:  The Alpha Gamma Chapter of Phi Alpha is an academic honorary society for undergraduate social work/welfare majors.

Phi Alpha Theta:  The Chi Delta Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta is an international honor society in history.

Pi Delta Phi:  Pi Delta Phi is a national honor society in French. A series of scholarships are offered to members of Pi Delta Phi in a national competition.

Pi Sigma Alpha:  Pi Sigma Alpha is a national honorary society in political science.

Psi Chi:  Psi Chi is the national honor society for students in psychology.

Sigma Delta Pi:  The Eta Psi Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi is a national Spanish honorary dedicated to promoting Spanish language and culture in non-Spanish speaking countries.

Sigma Pi Sigma:  Sigma Pi Sigma is a national honor society associated with the American Institute of Physics.

Sigma Tau Delta:  Sigma Tau Delta is a national academic honor society for students of English.

Sigma Xi:  Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, is a national and international honorary for those with research achievement. Undergraduates who have completed a research project or publication of note are eligible.