Participating in the Communication Studies Honors program allowed me to challenge
myself not only as a student but as a person. Despite loving my major and having the
desire to pursue my master's degree, I felt that I wasn't "cut out" for graduate school.
The honors program provided me with rigorous course material that challenged me to
see beyond my self-doubt. I gained valuable research skills, confidence, and mentorship
that gave me the extra push I needed to see myself as a true scholar.
- Tori Bowser, '20
Members of our honors cohort at the Comm Awards Ceremony, May 2019
Graduating with honors is a mark of distinction, open to no more than 10% of the department's
graduating class.
Students who have a strong academic record can achieve honors by taking one of our
MA graduate seminars.
Eligibility for COMM Honors
(all requirements must be met by graduation)
Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their four-unit, upper division courses in the major
(i.e., the F, I, and P courses), 101C, and 199C
Earn an overall SJSU GPA of at least 3.0
Complete 22 units in SJSU's Communication Studies department
Complete a COMM graduate seminar (200-level course) with a B or better (students receiving
a B- or lower will receive course credit but will not be eligible for honors)
To apply
If you believe you are eligible and wish to apply, please email the Honors Coordinator,
Dr. Marie Haverfield at marie.haverfield@sjsu.edu with the subject heading "Application for honors (Name, ID#)." Please include in
the email:
A pdf copy of your unofficial transcript (MySJSU tutorial) (do NOT send a screen shot.)
Your anticipated graduation date
You will be contacted to confirm that you are a candidate for honors.
Honors candidates
Honors candidates must enroll in (and pass) one of the department’s MA graduate-level
seminars. This course can replace one of the required courses in the undergraduate
major (either COMM 199C or one of the F, I, or P requirements.) Alternatively, the
seminar can be counted towards elective units, or it can be counted towards an MA
in Communication Studies. (This option is contingent on acceptance to the MA Program.)
Deadlines
Applications are welcome anytime however, it is encouraged to apply around the registration
period of the semester prior to graduation. For example, if you plan to graduate in
the fall, contact Dr. Haverfield around April 15 of the previous semester.
Honors candidates will be notified of the available graduate seminars shortly before
registration. Students are admitted to seminars at the discretion of graduate faculty.
Applications received after the deadline will be accepted pending enrollment capacity.
Because no more than 10% of the graduating class can receive the honors designation,
candidacy does not necessarily guarantee that a student will be awarded honors. In
the event that more than 10% of the graduating class has achieved candidacy, applicants
will be rated according to overall GPA. Those with top GPAs will receive priority.
In recent years, all applicants who passed their MA seminars have received honors.
Members of our honors cohort at the Comm Awards Ceremony, May 2019