Superior students are encouraged to pursue independent study and research through reading for honors courses at the junior and senior levels. Students with a grade point average of 3.4 in courses in history may write an honors thesis in their senior year with the consent of the department. Proposals should be submitted to the chairperson in the semester before the thesis is to be undertaken. Further information about advanced placement and the honors program may be obtained from the Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies.

The Paul J. Urcan Memorial Prize Award Each year, a committee of departmental faculty selects a student, usually a graduating senior, who has done outstanding work in history to be awarded the Paul J. Urcan Memorial Prize.