Honors in Sociology

Fall 2026 Slide Presentation:  

Sociology Research Methods Concentration and Honors Programs


 

  1. NEW Independent Study Pathway to Honors

  2. SOCIOLOGY HONORS THESIS PROGRAM

Discover the New Independent Study Pathway to Sociology Honors

  • Are you passionate about sociological research? 
  • Do you want to investigate a topic you care about?

 

The Department of Sociology is introducing an Independent Study Pathway to Honors beginning Fall 2026. This new option runs alongside our traditional Honors Thesis Program (Sociology H190A & H190B), allowing for more flexibility and the potential for direct mentorship from ladder-rank faculty.

Whether you are a Transfer student looking for a timeline that fits your schedule, or you want to turn a research paper into a full honors thesis, this new pathway opens the door to graduate-level research.

Why Choose the Independent Study Pathway?

  • More Spots Available: The traditional honors seminar is capped at just 30 students a year. This new pathway allows more eligible majors to earn the honors distinction in Sociology.
  • Accessible for Transfer Students & Compatible with Study Abroad: The traditional program requires a strict Fall-to-Spring timeline. The Independent Study Pathway is flexible, allowing you to start in the Spring semester so you don't have to choose between honors, studying abroad, or participating in UCDC.
  • One-on-One Faculty Mentorship: You will partner directly with a Sociology professor who will guide your research, sharpen your methodology, and mentor you through the writing process. (Please note however that this is pending professor availability.)
  • Major Progress: The units you earn through this pathway can count toward your Sociology major requirements

 

Sociology H199B: 1-Semester Independent Study

Best for: Students who already have a head start on a research project.

  • How it works: If you want to expand a paper you've already written in a Capstone Seminar (SOC 190) or a research methods course (SOC 105, 106, 107, or 108), you can build upon your current research and finish your thesis in a single semester.
  • Units: 4 units total.
  • Major Credit: SOC H199B can satisfy either your Sociology Capstone Seminar requirement or a Sociology Elective.
  • Requirements: 
    • Meet eligibility criteria
    • Successful completion of SOC 105, 106, 107, 108 or 190. 
    • Sponsorship by a ladder-ranked Sociology professor to continue the research started in Sociology 105, 106, 107, 108, or 190.  
    • Submit a Sociology Independent Study Form
    • Enrollment in Sociology H199B (enrollment information provided after student Independent Study Form is approved).

Are You Eligible?

The admission criteria for the Independent Study Pathway is identical to our traditional Sociology Honors Thesis program. You must meet the following requirements:

  • Status: Declared Sociology Major.
  • Units: At least 75 course units completed.
  • GPA: Minimum 3.5 Major GPA and 3.3 Cumulative GPA.
  • Coursework: Completion of at least 4 upper-division Sociology major requirements.
  • Academic Standing: No outstanding "Incomplete" grades at the time of application.

 

How to Earn Honors Recognition

Completing the thesis is just the first step. To officially graduate with Honors via this Independent Study Pathway:

  1. Your final thesis must earn a grade of "A" or "A+" from your faculty advisor.
  2. Your advisor will then nominate your paper to the Department’s Awards Committee.
  3. The committee reviews the nominations and officially awards Honors in Sociology. Truly exceptional, standout papers may even be considered for High or Highest Honors.

How to Get Started

Unlike the traditional Honors Thesis Program where you submit a proposal to course instructors, the Independent Study Pathway requires you to secure your own faculty first.

  1. Refine your idea: Review your past research papers from SOC 105, 106, 107, 108, or 190.
  2. Find a Faculty Sponsor: Review the Department directory to find a ladder-rank Sociology professor whose research interests align with yours. Describe your idea to them and ask if they would be willing to serve as your thesis supervisor and independent study instructor.
  3. Fill out an Independent Study Pathway to Honors Interest Form
  4. Independent Study Form for Units: Fill out the Sociology Independent Study Form with your professor and submit it to rebeccaisme@berkeley.edu.  
  5. Enroll: Once a faculty member officially agrees to sponsor you and the department approves your Independent Study request, you will receive instructions on how to enroll in SOC H199B.

 

For questions, contact a Sociology major advisor to discuss your timeline!

 

 

 

Current Traditional Honors Thesis Program in Sociology

(NEW) Independent Study Pathway to Honors in Sociology
 

2 Semester Sociology Honors Thesis Program

NEW One Semester Option - Independent Study

Program Availability

ongoing

Beginning Fall 2025 and beyond

Program Eligibility

Declared Sociology majors, completed 75 units, have a 3.5 major GPA, a 3.3 cumulative GPA, completion of at least 4 upper division Sociology requirements, and no outstanding Incomplete grades

Declared Sociology majors, completed 75 units, have a 3.5 major GPA, a 3.3 cumulative GPA, completion of at least 4 upper division Sociology requirements, and no outstanding Incomplete grades

Required Courses

Completion of at least 4 upper division Sociology major requirements

1. Completion of at least 4 upper division Sociology major requirements

2. Must complete SOC 190,or  SOC 105, or SOC 106, or SOC 107, or SOC 108 

Honors Courses Required

Sociology H190A & Sociology H190B

Sociology H199B after having completed  SOC 190,or SOC 105, or SOC 106, or SOC 107, or SOC 108 

How to Participate

Eligible students may fill out our Sociology Honors Thesis Program application form and submit a proposal that includes the student's research question, methodology, and bibliography.  

 

Students selected to participate in the program will be given permission to enroll in the Sociology H190A in the fall and the Sociology H190B course in the spring.

 

The research paper would be at least 35 pages in length.

Students must find a ladder-rank faculty member who is willing to serve as a supervisor for their undergraduate thesis for one semester.  It will be up to the faculty to agree to supervise the student for one semester to continue their initial project (from either SOC 190, or 105, or 106, or 107, or 108) and enroll in Sociology H199B. 

 

 

Through one-on-one work with their faculty supervisor, the student would continue their research project and produce a research paper of at least 35 pages in length.

 

Honors Status

The Honors Thesis Program instructors decide on the level of honors each student receives based on the quality of their work throughout the semester as well as the strength of their completed honors thesis paper. 

Their final thesis is eligible for three levels of honors:  Honors, High honors, or Highest honors in Sociology

In order to be eligible for honors, the thesis produced in the course would need to earn a grade of “A” or “A+,” and the faculty advisor would need to nominate the thesis to the Department’s Awards Committee. This committee would make the final determination of whether or not the paper would be awarded Honors in Sociology.

 

Sociology H190A & H190B – SENIOR HONORS THESIS PROGRAM

The Sociology Honors Program allows admitted seniors to write a thesis as part of the Senior Honors Seminar. Participants will do an independent research project and write a 35+ page thesis to earn honors in Sociology. This is a 2-semester program:

  • Fall: Sociology H190A (4 units, counts as a Sociology Elective)
    Spring: Sociology H190B (5 units, counts as Sociology Seminar or Elective)
  • The same grade is assigned for all 9 units after completing the Sociology H190B. The Honors Thesis Program is the only way to receive Honors in Sociology upon graduation. 
  • There are 2 sections for the thesis each year with no more than 15-people per section. 

     

SAMPLE SYLLABI:

Sample Syllabus for H190A
Sample Syllabus for H190B

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Declared Sociology major
  • At least 75 units completed
  • 3.3+ cumulative GPA, 3.5+ major GPA
  • 4+ upper-division sociology courses completed
  • No incomplete grades at time of application
  • Must submit a strong thesis proposal with the application
     

SELECTION PROCESS:

  • Applications are reviewed by a faculty committee.
  • The committee will consider your topic, methods, clarity, and preparation.
  • If accepted, you’ll be placed in a section by the committee.  Section assignments are final. 

INFORMATION SESSION:

  • May 7, 2026 from 10:00 - 11:30 AM - 420 Social Sciences Building - Thesis professors will host a session about course content and structure for the honors thesis program. The professors will also discuss how to put together a strong proposal and applicants are highly encouraged to attend.

HOW TO APPLY:

  • Applications open at the end of the spring semester
  • Deadline: June 5, 2026
  • Apply online through the form below:
    Sociology Honors Thesis Application Form - (Use @berkeley.edu to ensure you are logged in with CalNet ID and passphrase)
  • If you're taking summer classes to meet eligibility criteria, mention those in your application.
  • You’ll get an update about your status by early August, before fall classes start.
     

Feel free to reach out to a major advisor if you have questions about applying!

https://sociology.berkeley.edu/undergraduate-program