Political Science Honours

The Honours Advisor can answer your questions and provide specific advice about course planning, application requirements, expectations, potential supervisors and information about the program and our faculty.

Aside from the formal requirements for acceptance into the Honours program, you need to find a faculty supervisor from within the Department of Political Science. Meeting with various faculty members helps you to get an idea of the types of research they are involved in and whom you might be interested in working with. Email the Honours Advisor to request a faculty research guide that contains highlights of faculty research.

In advance of the application deadline, you should investigate the research and scholarly interests of various faculty members. You should then contact several faculty members to discuss the possibility of working together on an Honours project. You are much more likely to be selected for the program if you begin discussing potential projects with at least one faculty member prior to applying to the program. Even if faculty members state that they are willing to consider your application, they might not commit to supervising particular students until after all applications have been reviewed by all participating political science faculty.

Apply to the political science Honours program by emailing the Honours Advisor after March 31. The deadline to apply is early-May each year, and the specific date will be on the application form. The application includes your contact information, a transcript of your marks, a one-page statement of interest that outlines why you want to be an Honours student and a signed commitment from a faculty supervisor.

Not all students who meet the minimum criteria will be accepted into the program. Acceptance is based on academic performance, GPA, course experience, and also on the availability of a suitable supervisor. Because the Honours program is an intensive course of study, involving a significant amount of one-on-one interaction with a faculty supervisor and access to departmental resources, we will only accept a limited number of students into the program. Decisions made by the department regarding acceptance to this program are not subject to appeal.

Faculty members meet to discuss all new Honours applicants and to review your application. You will be notified whether you are accepted into the program or not.

You will be contacted in mid-May with a decision regarding your application.