Guidelines and Application

The Political Science Distinction Program is designed for motivated, high-achieving political science majors who wish to be challenged academically in preparation for success in graduate or professional school.

The Program offers:

• The opportunity to take small honors-level classes.
  
  

• Exclusive meetings and lunches with esteemed campus visitors.
  
  

• The opportunity to work closely with a faculty member on a research project.
  
  

• Applied experience in public service and/or politics.

A deeper understanding of political science subject matter, in preparation for meeting the academic demands of law, graduate, and professional schools.

The Political Science Distinction Program is open to all political science majors with a cumulative 3.25 GPA, including no grade below a "B" in a political science course, and at least 30 credit hours completed (including 6 political science hours at TCU).

The ideal time to enter the Program is during the fall recruitment period of your sophomore year (typically in November), though you may apply as late as the fall of your junior year. It is never too early to inquire about the program, though! Please see the "guidelines" handout, or contact the program director, Dr. Adam Schiffer, at x6401 or a.schiffer@tcu.edu.

Requirements for admission to the Distinction Program:

• 3.25 cumulative GPA, with no grade below a "B" in a political science course.
  
  

• 30 credit hours completed, including 6 political science hours at TCU.
  
  

• Completion of the application, which includes an essay and an unofficial transcript.
  
  

• Admission is at the discretion of the political science faculty.

Requirements to complete the program and graduate with distinction:

• Enroll in one Distinction designated class per year (any honors-level political science course will fulfill this Requirement).
  
  

• Complete POSC 20093, preferably by the spring of your sophomore year.
  
  

• Complete POSC 30093 or 30203, preferably by the fall of your junior year.
  
  

• Complete a semester of applied experience such as an internship, a semester abroad, or local volunteer work. Experiential learning must be approved by the program coordinator.
  
  

• Complete the Capstone course in the spring of your junior year. This requirement includes successful presentation of a senior thesis proposal. (Honors Program students take the course as POSC 30003, Section 679.)
  
  

• Complete a Senior Thesis in any subfield of political science, under the supervision of a political science faculty member. Honors theses will count as your Senior Thesis.
  
  

• Present your Senior Thesis at the Senior Research Showcase during your final spring semester at TCU.
  
  

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25, with a 3.4 in political science.
  
  

• Receive no grades below a "B" in any political science class.
  
  

• Meet with the program director during advising week every semester.
  
  

• Set aside Wednesday at noon each semester for the regular Distinction meetings, and attend special events such as guest speakers.

For application to the Distinction Program at TCU, click here.

Please turn in application to the Political Science Department by September 12 .