Honors and Distinction

An advanced, mentored experience in philosophical thinking

Philosophy Honors is a two-year, advanced academic pathway for majors who want to go further than standard degree requirements. Honors students deepen their work through additional upper-level coursework and a senior-level experience focused on independent thinking, writing and close faculty mentorship.

Honors is especially well suited for students considering graduate school, law school or other professional programs where advanced reading, argumentation and writing matter.

Students in the program:

• Complete coursework across philosophy’s five core areas: ethics, logic, metaphysics, epistemology and history of philosophy
• Take seven philosophy electives instead of six
• Complete at least one senior-level experience at the 400 level or higher
• Work closely with faculty through advanced seminars, tutorials or independent projects

The senior-level requirement may be fulfilled through:

• An advanced undergraduate course or seminar
• A graduate seminar taken for undergraduate credit
• An Honors Tutorial
• An Honors Thesis or Project
• Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (minimum of three credits)

Students choose Philosophy Honors to gain depth, mentorship and recognition for advanced academic work.

Program benefits include:

• Graduate with Honors in Philosophy, noted on your official transcript
• Faculty mentorship through close work with professors who support your intellectual goals
• Advanced writing and argument skills through sustained, original philosophical work
• Preparation for what’s next, including graduate study, law school and other professional programs
• Academic distinction that signals seriousness, discipline and independence

To apply for Philosophy Honors, students must:

• Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Have a philosophy GPA of 3.25 or higher
• Have completed at least two advanced-level philosophy courses at UB
• Hold senior class standing at the time of application
• Have completed more than half of the philosophy major requirements

Acceptance is based on a review of your philosophy coursework and approval by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Recognition for strong academic performance

Philosophy Distinction recognizes sustained excellence in philosophy coursework. This option is available to both majors and minors and is awarded at graduation based on philosophy GPA.

Distinction levels include:

• With Distinction: philosophy GPA of 3.25 or higher
• With High Distinction: philosophy GPA of 3.50 or higher
• With Highest Distinction: philosophy GPA of 3.75 or higher

To be eligible, students must be officially accepted into the philosophy major or minor at least one semester before completion. Distinction is noted on the official transcript.

In addition to department-level Honors or Distinction, philosophy majors may qualify for Program Honors or Program Distinction at degree conferral if university-wide criteria are met. These recognitions follow standards set in the Academic Policy and Procedure section of the Undergraduate Catalog.

If you want to deepen your philosophy studies, challenge yourself and work closely with faculty, Honors or Distinction may be a great fit. Planning early makes the process smoother and opens more options.

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