THE AWARDING OF DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN HISTORY
Nominations for departmental honors are made by the Board of Examiners at the degree meeting each spring. In making its nominations, the Board first takes two elements into account: the average of course grades in History and thesis readings. All students who may be eligible for a recommendation of highest honors will then be given an oral examination by the Board of Examiners; performance on this exam will be considered in determining the final recommendation. The standing of those students at the border of two different degrees may also be determined through an oral examination administered by the Board of Examiners.
To be considered eligible for highest honors in history, a student will ordinarily have a grade point average greater than or equal to 3.85 in courses taken for departmental credit, and have received at least two highest-level thesis readings. In addition, the student must convince the Board of Examiners of their qualifications for the highest recommendation through their performance on the oral examination. Whether any particular student falling into this numerical range receives highest honors in history will be determined in part by the performance on the oral examination.
To be considered eligible for high honors in history, a student will ordinarily have a grade point average greater than or equal to 3.7, and will ordinarily have received two high-level readings on the thesis.
To be considered eligible for honors in history, a student will ordinarily have a grade point average greater than or equal to 3.3, and will ordinarily have received two honors-level readings on the thesis.
Please note that the Department recommends students’ English honors (highest, high, honors, no honors) and sends these recommendations to the College which determines students’ Latin honors based on total GPA. Please visit: https://handbook.fas.harvard.edu/book/requirements-honors-degrees for more information on how the College awards Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude, no honors). In addition, you should consult with your Resident Dean. Any degree candidate who does not receive the A.B. degree with honors in History will be considered by the FAS for the degree of cum laude.