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
Eligibility to Apply to the Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program
Students must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply to the Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program:
- Senior standing by the beginning of the fall quarter in which PUB AFF 198A is taken.
- Overall minimum Public Affairs Major 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 at least an A-.
- Completion of PUB AFF 116 (qualitative methods) by the end of spring quarter in the year prior to beginning the thesis, with at least an A-.
- 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.
Eligibility to Graduate with Public Affairs Departmental Honors
Students 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 theses 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.
Application Process
To apply, 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 2024-2025 Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program application process opens on Monday, April 1, 2024. Below are the program deadlines:
- Beginning April 1, 2024: Access and download the 2024-2025 Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program application (linked here as a .docx file).
- Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 5:00pm (PST): Deadline to ask a faculty member to advise your thesis by emailing them and attaching the preliminary application. The list of faculty members can be found here.
- Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 4:00 pm (PST): Deadline for your thesis advisor to sign your final application.
- Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 5:00pm (PST): Deadline to submit your final application to Jocelyn Guihama via email.
Important Dates
The 2024-2025 Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program application process opens on Monday, April 1, 2024. You can access the 2024-2025 Public Affairs Departmental Honors Program application (linked here as a .docx file) and the list of faculty members can be found here. The timeline below should be used as a general guide for the application cycle.
Questions? Contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Advising Office via MyUCLA Message Center or at (310) 794-4080.
