Honors Opportunities
Honors Majors: Sociology, Social Psychology, and Criminal Justice
The Honors Majors recognize special achievement and provide a more integrated and in-depth academic program. Registration in the honors major requires a 3.5 GPA in Sociology, Social Psychology, or Criminal Justice and a 3.0 GPA overall. Successful completion of the honors major is noted on the student's transcript and in the program for the College of Liberal Arts Honors Convocation.
The Sociology and Social Psychology Honors Majors
Sociology and Social Psychology honors majors write an honors paper and complete an extra course. One faculty member directs the honors paper and a second faculty member reads the paper. The honors paper is then presented to interested students and faculty in an open meeting. The extra course may be:
• Sociol 478 or 479 - Directed Study in Sociology
• Any 400-level course in the Sociology Department (excluding internships)
• Sociol 340 - Field Work Methods
• Sociol 350 - Social Statistics (if not taken as part of the major)
• Any course in the graduate program in Applied Sociology
• Any 400-level course in anthropology, economics, history, political science or psychology
The Criminal Justice Honors Major
Criminal Justice students wishing to complete the major with honors are required to take either Sociol 478 or Sociol 479, Directed Study in Sociology. During this course students develop and complete a lengthy independent research paper that will be presented to Criminal Justice faculty members and interested students in an open forum.
Honor Societies: Sociology and Criminal Justice
Membership in a national honor society provides a wonderful springboard for professional growth. Honor society members have expanded opportunities for promoting their research, applying for conference funding, receiving national recognition, and interacting with leaders in their field. Active participation in an honor society enables students to develop stronger professional and social networks among the Sociology Department’s faculty, students and alumni. Family and friends of new members are invited to the annual Honor Society Induction Ceremony, which is held at the end of Spring semester.
Alpha Kappa Delta - The Sociology Honor Society
Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD), the International Sociology Honor Society, was founded in 1920. The chapter at UMB is one of 490 worldwide chapters. Eligible undergraduate students are Sociology and Social Psychology majors and minors who rank in the top 35% of their class, have an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher, and have a GPA of 3.2 or higher in the major or minor. Eligible graduate students have completed 12 or more graduate credits with an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher. Sociology professors make announcements and send emails early in the spring semester to inform students of application procedures. Students may also request an application in the Sociology office (W-04-12). A one-time fee of $40 pays for lifetime membership and a year’s subscription to the journal Sociological Inquiry.
For online information about the history, benefits and programs of Alpha Kappa Delta, please visit its home page. For further inquiries, contact the local AKD chapter faculty representative, Professor Russell Schutt.
Alpha Phi Sigma - The Criminal Justice Honor Society
Alpha Phi Sigma, the national Criminal Justice Honor Society, was founded in Washington in 1942. It is proudly associated with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The purposes of Alpha Phi Sigma are to promote critical thinking, rigorous scholarship and lifelong learning; to keep abreast of the advances in scientific research; to elevate the ethical standards of the criminal justice professions; and to sustain in the public mind the benefit and necessity of education and professional training. Members are required to maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA in both Criminal Justice courses and overall courses. Eligible juniors and seniors are contacted via mail and e-mail during the Fall and Spring semesters. A one-time fee of $50 pays for lifetime membership.
For online information about the history, benefits and programs of Alpha Phi Sigma, please visit its home page. For further inquiries, contact the local Alpha Phi Sigma faculty advisor, Professor Bianca Bersani.
