Students must submit an application to be considered for "Distinction in Research in Philosophy" at May graduation by April 1st, or for December graduation, by November 1st each year.

Minimum qualifications are a 3.5 GPA in philosophy courses and enrollment in the Honors Thesis course PHIL 498 or 499 or the Research Seminar for majors PHIL 400. The work is to be considered must be submitted by May 1 or December 1 to a committee appointed by the Chair, which will include the Director of Undergraduate Studies, any Honors Thesis supervisors and the instructor(s) of the Research Seminar. The recommendation of that committee will be communicated to the department by May 10 or December 10 for the final decision of the department.