Honors in American Indian Studies

The Honors in American Indian Studies program is designed for AIS majors who wish to undertake a major project that requires a significant amount of independent work. The honors project should demonstrate a high level of expertise in, and deep engagement with, a chosen area of study through independent research, on-site internship experience, or community engaged study abroad experience. Honors projects provide an opportunity for students to personalize their AIS major and are excellent preparation for graduate school.

By completing the Honors in American Indian Studies program, students graduate with a B.A. with Honors in American Indian Studies. Students who are enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Honors program and also complete the Honors in AIS program receive a B.A. with College Honors. For more information about Department or Interdisciplinary Honors programs, please visit the Honors Program website.

Admission Requirements for Honors in American Indian Studies

Students applying to complete the AIS major with Honors must:

  1. Be a declared major in American Indian Studies
  2. Be of Junior or Senior standing
  3. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all AIS courses taken at UW
  4. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 for all courses taken at UW
  5. Have no Incomplete grades at the time of Honors application
  6. Have the support of a prospective faculty adviser for entry into the Honors Program
  7. Have at least two remaining quarters at the UW after their quarter of application to allow sufficient time for Honors work completion
  8. Have completed: at least one AIS Intro course (AIS 102 or 103), one AIS content course (AIS 170, 202, 203, 209, or 210), and one AIS upper division course by the beginning of Honors coursework. One of these courses in progress is acceptable when applying, but at least these 3 courses must be complete by the beginning of a student's Honors coursework

We recommend interested students schedule an appointment with AIS advisor Kai Wise (kaiwise@uw.edu) to discuss the Honors requirements, a faculty mentor, and final project plan ideas, before submitting their Honors application form. Honors applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

AIS Honors Application Form

 

Graduation Requirements for Honors in American Indian Studies

  1. Fulfillment of regular degree requirements for American Indian Studies major
  2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all AIS courses taken at UW
  3. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 for all courses taken at UW
  4. Completion of at least 5 credits in approved, ad-hoc AIS Honors courses with a grade of 3.5 or better*
  5. A minimum of 5 credits of AIS capstone, completed through one of three options:
    1. AIS 498 AIS Senior Project
    2. AIS 497 Internship credit
    3. Study Abroad with AIS (usually AIS 475)

*Ad hoc Honors provides students the opportunity to work with an instructor to create a plan of additional study in order to pursue a course with more depth. Completion of this ad hoc project may earn the student Honors credit that can be applied towards the Interdisciplinary Honors Core or Departmental Honors requirements. Ad hoc work should be in-depth and not merely an extension of a pre-existing assignment. AIS Intro and Content courses are not open for ad-hoc Honors. 

 

For more information, please contact:

Kai Wise, Academic Advisor for AIS (kaiwise@uw.edu)

Share