Overview
Students who wish to complete an original research thesis, driven by student-defined interests and independent work, may apply to the Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program in the spring of their third year. The Departmental Honors Program is an optional research experience that is distinct from the Public Affairs Experiential Learning Capstone Series requirement (PUB AFF 187A/B/C).
Theses must involve answering a research question using original analyses of data/sources. Students who are admitted to the program begin background research for their project over the summer and enroll in three contract research courses (PUB AFF 198A/B/C) with their Luskin thesis advisor during their senior year. The sequence must be completed over three consecutive quarters, starting in the fall. Students must earn at least a B in PUB AFF 198A to continue with the sequence. Students may count one honors contract course toward their Public Affairs major elective requirement (with the understanding that no more than one contract course in total may count toward the Public Affairs elective requirement).
Qualifications
Students must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply to the Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program:
- Have senior standing by the beginning of the fall quarter in which PUB AFF 198A is taken.
- Have a minimum overall Public Affairs major GPA of 3.800 as of the end of winter quarter in the year prior to beginning the thesis.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.600 as of the end of winter quarter in the year prior to beginning the thesis
- Completion of PUB AFF 115 (quantitative methods) by the end of spring quarter in the year prior to beginning the thesis, with a minimum A- grade.
- Completion of PUB AFF 116 (qualitative methods) by the end of spring quarter in the year prior to beginning the thesis, with a minimum A- grade.
- Agreement from a Luskin School of Public Affairs faculty member to serve as thesis advisor.
The Public Affairs Honors Committee will select applicants based on the promise of their proposed research project, its match with faculty interests, research-related coursework, and research experience. The selection process is very competitive, with the number of selected applicants varying each year. We anticipate that no more than 10% of rising seniors will be selected to complete honors thesis projects each year.
Students who complete the Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program during the 2025-2026 academic year will graduate with Public Affairs Departmental Honors if they meet the following criteria:
- The Public Affairs Honors Committee, with input from thesis advisors, determines that the student’s Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program thesis merits either “honors” or “highest honors.”
- The student graduates with a minimum 3.600 major GPA and is in good academic standing.
Students who graduate with departmental Honors or Highest Honors will have the designation noted on their UCLA diploma and UCLA transcript.
Students who complete the Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program during the 2026-2027 academic year will graduate with Public Affairs Departmental Honors if they meet the following criteria:
- The Public Affairs Honors Committee, with input from thesis advisors, determines that the student’s Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program thesis merits either “honors” or “highest honors.”
- The student graduates with a Public Affairs major GPA of 3.80 or better.
- The student graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.60 or better.
Students who graduate with departmental Honors or Highest Honors will have the designation noted on their UCLA diploma and UCLA transcript.
Application Process
To apply to the Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program students must submit an application containing a short research proposal, information on academic and research preparation, and confirmation that a Luskin School faculty member has agreed to advise their honors thesis during the fall, winter, and spring of the subsequent year.
The 2026-2027 Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program application process opens on Monday, March 30, 2026 and closes Friday, May 8, 2026. Below are the program deadlines:
- Monday, March 30, 2026: Access and download the 2026-2027 Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program Application.
- Friday, April 24, 2026 at 5pm (PT): Deadline to ask a Luskin faculty member to advise your thesis by emailing them and attaching the preliminary application. You may access the list of Luskin faculty members here.
- Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (PT): Deadline to submit your final application to via the 2026-2027 Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program Application Submission Form.
- Friday, May 29, 2026: Students are notified of their application outcome.
For questions about the Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program eligibility criteria, application process, and how to incorporate the experience into your degree program plan, contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via MyUCLA Message Center.
Important Dates
The 2026-2027 Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program application process opens on Monday, March 30, 2026 and closes Friday, May 8, 2026. You can access the Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program application and the list of Luskin faculty members at the links in the “Application Process” section above.
The timeline below should be used as a general guide for the Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program application cycle and program benchmarks.
Questions? Contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via MyUCLA Message Center or at (310) 794-4080.
Monday, March 30, 2026
Application Opens. Access and download the 2026-2027 Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program Application.
Friday, April 24, 2026
Deadline to Contact Luskin Faculty: Deadline to ask a Luskin faculty member to advise your thesis by sending an email with your completed preliminary Departmental Honors Program application. You can access the list of Luskin faculty members here.
Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (PT)
Application Closes: Deadline to submit your final application to via the 2026-2027 Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program Application Submission Form.
Friday, May 29, 2026
Application Outcomes: Public Affairs Honors Committee selects the 2026-2027 Public Affairs Departmental Honors cohort and notifies both the students and faculty advisors.
Summer
Meetings with Faculty Advisor: Selected students and faculty advisors meet to discuss project and summer expectations.
Fall Quarter
PUB AFF 198A: Students enroll in PUB AFF 198A if their faculty advisor is satisfied with the student’s summer work. The deadline to enroll in PUB AFF 198A is Friday of week 2.
Winter Quarter
PUB AFF 198B: Students enroll in PUB AFF 198B if their faculty advisor is satisfied with the student’s fall quarter work. The deadline to enroll in PUB AFF 198B is Friday of week 2.
Students apply to present their research at the UCLA Undergraduate Research Week.
Spring Quarter
PUB AFF 198C: Students enroll in PUB AFF 198C if their faculty advisor is satisfied with the student’s winter quarter work. The deadline to enroll in PUB AFF 198C is Friday of week 2.
Students present their research at the UCLA Undergraduate Research Week.
Graduation
Students who graduate with Public Affairs Departmental Honors or Highest Honors will have the designation noted on their UCLA diploma and UCLA transcript.