Honors, Awards & Funding

Learn how to apply for departmental honors, find and join sociology Greek honor societies, qualify for Sociology Department awards and apply for additional GW funding and aid resources.

 

Departmental Honors

Students interested in earning special honors in sociology to be noted on their transcript must:

The department will complete the remainder of the form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office. It will take a few weeks for the Special Honors designation to appear on your university transcript.

  • A final overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (pending confirmation by the department)
  • A final GPA in the major of 3.5 or higher (pending confirmation by the department)
  • Register for three credits of SOC 4195: Senior Research Seminar
  • A grade of “A” on the SOC 4195 thesis
  • A final overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (pending confirmation by the department)
  • A final GPA in the major of 3.5 or higher (pending confirmation by the department)
  • Register for three credits of SOC 3195: Independent Study for the semester in which a thesis will be completed
  • Prior to the SOC 3195 semester, ask a criminal justice faculty member to serve as research director (someone with whom you have already taken courses)
  • A grade of “A” on the SOC 3195 thesis

 

Greek Honor Societies

 

Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society in Sociology

Alpha Kappa Delta is dedicated to excellence in sociological research and scholarship. Membership is open to undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty members from active chapters.

Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduates

  • Must be a declared sociology major or minor
  • Must be at least a junior (third-year) student
  • Must have a GPA of 3.3 in sociology and overall (Note: Our departmental standard is higher than the national AKD standard of 3.0.)
  • Must have completed at least four regular courses in sociology before initiation

How to Apply

 

 

Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society

Alpha Phi Sigma is an accredited honor society for criminal justice students. Membership is open to undergraduate through doctoral students, faculty and professional and honorary members.

Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduates

  • Must have an overall GPA of 3.0
  • Must have a GPA of at least 3.2 within the criminal justice major
  • Must have completed at least four regular courses in the major prior to initiation

How to Apply

 

Sociology Department Awards

Background

Open to sociology majors and minors, the Ruth A. Wallace Memorial Fund provides one annual $500 prize for excellence in research or writing on gender, and can also support students facing financial emergencies in meeting tuition or living expenses.

The fund was established in 2017 by Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab, BA ’98, and James A. Coriden in memory of Ruth Wallace. Wallace was a professor of sociology at GW and a prolific and pioneering scholar in the sociological fields of gender and religion. To apply, please email or call the Sociology Department. 

Learn more about Ruth Wallace's life and legacy. 

 

Past Winners

  • 2021: Yurdum Cokadar
  • 2020: Alexandra La Pinta
  • 2019: Lauren Danielowski
  • 2018: Caroline Elias
  • 2017: Ana Deros

Background

The endowed Hilda Haves Manchester Prize Fund was established in 1969 by Emilie Margaret White in memory of Hilda Haves Manchester. The award recognizes a woman in the field of sociology for outstanding scholarship. Each year, the award is given to the student in the Sociology Department with the highest grade point average.

Past Winners

  • 2021: Tess Bolen
  • 2020: Kimberly Krane
  • 2019: Victoria Russell
  • 2018: Michelle Berger, Johanna Kichton, Ashlee Skeens
  • 2017: Celia Islam
  • 2016: Emily Daenzer
  • 2015: Shayla B. Keating

Each spring the department also recognizes outstanding students majoring in sociology and criminology. Visit the Human Services and Social Justice Program website for award information on that program.

Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Writing Award

  • 2021: Emi-Lee Commisso
  • 2020: Joshua Gomez
  • 2017: Julian Berkowitz
  • 2016: Marwa Moaz, Maya Weinstein
  • 2015: Marcus Andrews, Rachealle Sanford

Outstanding Senior in the Field of Sociology

  • 2021: Jenny Wolski
  • 2020: Laura Gonzalez
  • 2019: Ariel Waldman
  • 2017: Andrew Barondess, Alexandra DeLessio
  • 2016: Shaun Harrison
  • 2015: Lauryn King

William J. Chambliss Outstanding Senior in the Field of Criminal Justice

  • 2021: Rachel Witt
  • 2020: Catherine Williams
  • 2019: Sam Disario
  • 2018: Jacqueline Groccia
  • 2017: Nicole LeFort
  • 2016: Vera Kiefer
  • 2015: Stephanie Demetry, Emily Messing

 

GW Funding and Aid Resources

Center for Career Services
Take advantage of career and job search coaching, self-assessment services, résumé development, networking and more. (Services offered to students and alumni.)

Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research
Search and apply for undergraduate fellowships and research awards.

Luther Rice Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Apply for a fellowship to support a research project carried out over several weeks or across multiple semesters.

Sigelman Undergraduate Research Enhancement (SURE) Awards
Apply for a $500 grant to fund research project supplies, conference travel, off-site archival visits, videography and more.

Student Accounts Office
View current tuition and aid information. Applicants who request financial aid will be considered for all forms of aid available based on criteria including undergraduate GPA, courses taken, recommendations, extracurricular activities and GRE scores.

Student Financial Assistance
Look for scholarships, Federal Work-Study positions, military benefits and other funding assistance.

Student Research Commons
Find paid research jobs, fellowships, seminars and other events available in the GW community.

Undergraduate Research Award
Apply for this $5,000 research award, open to first-years, sophomores and juniors.