Honors in Philosophy
The philosophy program is the only program within the School of Arts and Humanities that offers an honors curriculum. Departmental honors are for students who are performing exceptionally well in their courses. The honors designation is an adjunct to the B.A. degree with an added emphasis on independent work, and requires that students conduct a comprehensive original research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
Special Admission Requirements
Admission into the Honors Program is by application, available in the department office. The Honors Philosophy Curriculum is 33 credit hours. Minimum requirements for acceptance are:
- minimum 75 completed credit hours;
- completion of 21 credits in philosophy, with a minimum of 15 credits from Buffalo State. Transferred courses will be considered for credit toward a student's philosophy requirements, but the grades from these courses will not be used in computing the cumulative average;
- a 3.25 overall GPA;
- a 3.50 major GPA;
- agreement of a faculty member in the department to serve as a mentor for both PHI 499, Honors I, and PHI 499, Honors II.
Note: Student admission to the program is not guaranteed and is dependent on, and limited by, the availability of faculty expertise in the selected area of study.
If you are interested in an Honors Degree in Philosophy, contact the Department Chair no later than your junior year.
Requirements
The designation "Philosophy Honors" will be awarded if and only if the following requirements are met prior to graduation:
- successful completion of all departmental requirements;
- successful completion of PHI 499, Honors I, and PHI 499, Honors II, (completed in consecutive semesters), including an oral defense of a thesis;
- maintenance of a 3.25 overall GPA;
- maintenance of a 3.50 major GPA;
PHI 499, Honors I, may be used as a philosophy elective course and PHI 499, Honors II, is an additional required course.
Students will be designated as follows, according to their GPA:
- 3.8 to 4.0 summa cum laude
- 3.65 to 3.79 magna cum laude
- 3.5 to 3.64 cum laude
Total required credit hours in Philosophy for B.A. Honors Degree: 33
Honors Courses
PHI 499
HONORS I
3, 0/3
Prerequisites: 75 credit hours, 21 credit hours in PHI, permission of instructor. Honors philosophy students initiate research that is formally presented in thesis form. Students will typically be required to present formal research proposals (oral and written) to mentors and honors thesis committee. Extensive research is typically required for students in the departmental honors program.
PHI 499
HONORS II
3, 0/3
Prerequisites: PHI 499, Honors I, with a minimum grade of B+, permission of instructor. Honors philosophy students conduct research proposed in PHI 499, Honors I, and submit a formal thesis in written form. Oral defense of work before faculty mentor, thesis committee, and interested faculty members is required.