The ITS Honors Program is designed for qualified, self-motivated International Studies majors. You will work on a one-on-one basis with a faculty mentor, develop an original honors thesis, and graduate with “Honors in International Studies.”

Being a part of the honors program translates into substantive real-world benefits. Past ITS honors students have used this experience to make the jump to prestigious careers in the public, private, and non-profit sector, or they have been admitted to prominent graduate programs in International Studies or related disciplines. While at UAB, ITS Honors majors have distinguished themselves for applying and winning prestigious scholarships, presenting their research at national and regional conferences and at the UAB Undergraduate Research Expo, and for their remarkable involvement with student governance and campus life.

Honors Society

As a member of the ITS Honors Program, you will have the opportunity to join the Beta Tau chapter of Sigma Iota Rho (SIR). SIR is the national Honor Society for International Studies. Its purpose is to promote interest and excellence in the study of “all things international.” ITS majors or minors of junior standing with an overall 3.3 GPA and a 3.4 GPA (after at least 21 hours of course work in ITS) are eligible for membership. The lifetime membership fee is $45.

The main benefit of Sigma Iota Rho membership is that it enhances the credentials of its members by publicly recognizing that they have devoted their careers to International Studies and that they represent the best and the brightest in the field.