What are Departmental Honors?

At NYU, there are a number of different things that go by the name of “honors.” As a journalism major, you should be aware of the Department of Journalism’s honors program.

Departmental honors are not the same as CAS Presidential Honors (a special program for the top 5% of students at NYU) nor are they the same as Latin Honors (where a high GPA is rewarded by a “cum laude,” “magna cum laude,” or “summa cum laude” on your diploma.) The Department of Journalism’s honors program is only available to journalism majors—to you.

Why join the Departmental Honors Program?

Honors students get access to more intense classes—because honors students commit to a high level of scholarship, professors are able to create amazing courses around them.

As an honors student, you will be required to take two courses. You will take an honors version of the “Advanced Reporting” class, and, in the following semester, an honors “Senior Seminar.” Though the department is in transition because of the implementation of the new undergraduate curriculum, the intent of these courses is to give you the opportunity to break out of the restraints of one-semester courses. Over two semesters, you will design and carry out a “capstone” project. You will pick a subject to explore in depth and you will produce a series of pieces about that subject; all together, the portfolio of work will show off your talents—it will be something that you can be proud of.

The courses are the main reward for being an honors student; they will give you flexibility and autonomy that other courses can’t provide. There are also other fringe benefits: honors is a resume-builder. Not only will your diploma will show that you graduated from the department with honors, but you will also have a set of high-quality pieces in your portfolio that you can show to prospective employers.

How can I join?

To become an Honors student, you need a 3.65 GPA (overall and within the department) as well as departmental approval. Please see the Director of Undergraduate Honors (Professor Seife) for approval.

Your responsibilities as an honors student are:

• to maintain a 3.65 GPA.
• to take the two-course sequence: Honors Advanced Reporting and Honors Senior Seminar. In these courses, you will develop and complete your capstone project.

Do both these things and, if the department approves (as it almost certainly will), you will graduate with Departmental Honors.

When should I join?

You should consider joining the honors program as soon as you decide that you’re going to major in journalism; the sooner you plan your courses, the more flexible your schedule will be. This is particularly important if you wish to study abroad.