Honours in Political Science

Students with a grade point average of at least 3.4 may apply for admission to Honours in Political Science following completion of the first five full-year course equivalents of their degree. To gain admission, students must first apply for a change of program to Honours In Political Science via the Student Centre by February 1 and then seek permission from the Political Science Department for entry into the program. Successful candidates will be admitted to the program the following September. Maintenance of a 3.4 GPA is required for continuation in and graduation from the Honours program.

Honour Requirements

View requirements here

Frequently Asked Questions about our BA Honours Program

You must have successfully completed a minimum of 30 units. You are not eligible to apply if you have completed more than 72 units from among the Courses Constituting the Field of Political Science.

The minimum GPA for admission to Honours in Political Science 3.40, above the Faculty of Arts requirement of 3.30.

If you have completed between 30 and 60 units, then all courses will be included in the GPA. If you have completed more than 60 units, then only the most recent 60 units will be included. See the Faculty of Arts Honour Degrees page for more information.

Yes. You must have completed 57 units by the end of the Fall term the year before you take the Fall Honours Seminar, Political Science 590. Among these must be the required courses outlined at BA Honours Political Science.

You may complete more political science courses before graduating, but not more than 72 units from among Courses Constituting the Field of Political Science.

Yes. These are outlined on the Faculty of Arts Honours Degree page.

If you think you satisfy the admission requirements, arrange to meet with a faculty program advisor to discuss a Change of Program to Honours in Political Science. If the advisor indicates that you should proceed, submit a formal Change of Program via the Student Centre by February 1.

Please see: https://www.ucalgary.ca/registrar/student-centre/change-your-faculty-program-or-declare-major

Once you receive notification from the Student Centre that you meet the formal requirements for a change of program to Honours in Political Science, you then request permission from the Political Science Department for admission to the program by contacting the Honours Director at polihons@ucalgary.ca.

Successful candidates will be admitted to the program the following September to complete the Honours Seminar Political Science 590 in the Fall and the Honours Thesis Political Science 591 in the Winter Term.  

To enhance learning outcomes, Honours classes are usually small. Meeting the minimum GPA or course requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.