The department encourages students to pursue independent research by working toward a senior thesis. Students admitted to this program work closely with a faculty advisor for a full calendar year, beginning at the end of their junior year. Students writing a senior thesis receive 6 units of credit for two semesters of work by enrolling in POLSCI 4900 Senior Thesis Research. However, this credit does not count toward the completion of the political science major. Although there is no grade point average requirement for writing a senior thesis, an application is required. For more information, contact the department office. All majors may apply.

To qualify to write a senior thesis, students must do the following:

• Complete the methodology course requirement by the fall of their junior year (all majors are strongly urged to complete this requirement during their sophomore year).
• Complete POLSCI 4905 Research Design and Methods prior to their senior year.
• Complete a subfield specialization (detailed in the Specializations section) by the end of the fall of their senior year in the subfield appropriate for their senior thesis. At least two thirds of the specialization must be completed by the end of their junior year.
• Apply during their junior year for admission into the program.

There are two tracks for graduating with Latin Honors: honors by thesis and honors by coursework. For either track, students must complete POLSCI 4905 during their junior year.

To graduate with Latin Honors by thesis, students must also successfully complete a senior thesis project and meet a GPA requirement set by the College of Arts & Sciences.

To graduate with Latin Honors by coursework, students must also complete an additional 9 credits that are at the 3000 level or higher (for a total of 39 credits in the major), write a paper that is 10 pages or longer in a course (that is not POLSCI 4905) at the 4000 or 5000 level, and meet a GPA requirement set by the College of Arts & Sciences.

Students can download the application form for senior thesis or coursework at the links below:

Thesis cover form

Coursework Cover Form

The proposal is a 1,500-word (five pages) or less document that should state the student's thesis question, the contribution to the literature and the research method.  Students should consult their advisor as they write their proposals.

The application must be supported by a faculty member with the majority of their appointment in the Political Science department. Students studying abroad in the spring should secure the support of a faculty advisor in the Fall term before going abroad. Faculty members have the discretion to decline requests to serve as thesis advisors, and are more likely to accept advisees who are well-prepared and motivated to work. 

Register for Senior Thesis Research (POLSCI 4900) for the fall term of your senior year. Please note that these units do not count toward the major requirements. You will also take this course in the spring semester of your senior year.

Students are expected to begin work on their senior thesis in the summer before their senior year, reading widely the literature relevant to their thesis and collecting data as appropriate. Students who do not make sufficient progress on their research in the summer will not be allowed to continue in the program.

The deadline for your completed senior thesis is the last Friday in February.