The Honors College currently is considering a proposal that would enable students meeting certain requirements to obtain special Distinction at graduation. We currently are in process of requesting opinions and feedback about this idea from students and faculty. Once we address any concerns found, we will move ahead to obtain approval from ETSU for this special opportunity, which we hope to make available to students for future graduations. The proposal is described below. Please send your comments to: pylesr@etsu.edu.

Area of Major

Your undergraduate research project MUST be in the area of your degree program (i.e., your major).

Intent to Achieve Distinction Application

You must submit an ‘INTENT’ form, signed by your Faculty Mentor, that includes a copy of your Research Prospectus to the Honors College no later than one semester prior to your semester of graduation.

For example, submit your Intent form no later than the required dates in the fall semester if you plan to graduate the following May. Specific deadlines will apply, so check with the Honors College early for exact dates. You may submit your materials earlier than this deadline.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

You must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in your degree program.

Curriculum

You must attain successful completion of the following courses:

• HONR 2xx8 Research Orientation

• A research methods course appropriate to your discipline check with our faculty mentor

• Minimum 3 credit hours in the appropriate Independent Study, Senior Honors Thesis, or studio course.

Public Presentation or Publication

The results of your research project must be EITHER

• Presented at an event that is publicized and open to the public

• Seminar announced by the department

• Annual Appalachian Student Research Forum sponsored by ETSU

• Presentation at regional, national or international professional meetings

• Presentation at a national undergraduate research forum (e.g., National Conference on Undergraduate Research)

• Submitted for publication to a professional refereed journal or other publication outlet.

• Documentation in the form of a letter of receipt from theeditor or published of a referred publication

• “Posting” on the internet does not qualify.

Final Claim

Complete a CLAIM FOR DISTINCTION, signed by your Faculty Mentor. Include all required documentation of presentation or publication to the Honors College.

Deadlines for submission

• May Graduation: Submit no later than April 1

• August Graduation: Submit no later than July 1

• December Graduation: Submit nolater than November 1

Honors students who have completed a Senior Honors Thesis must also submit a copy of their final thesis.