To graduate with departmental honors in Political Science, a student must obtain at least a 3.5 GPA in the major and at least a 3.25 overall GPA. Additionally, students must complete a capstone thesis and submit it to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Normally, students compose this thesis as the core requirement for PS 490, the Honors in Political Science course offered each fall semester; however, students unable to take PS 490 sometimes may enroll in a section of PS 395 by special arrangement and complete an honors thesis through that course.

Pi Sigma Alpha, the national Political Science Undergraduate Honorary Fraternity, is always on the lookout for students interested in becoming members of its nationally-recognized organization. The Delta chapter was the third chapter instituted by Pi Sigma Alpha and has a long and time-honored tradition at the University of Kentucky going back to the early 1920's.

For more information regarding how to join, please click here.

The Trunzo Scholarship support a variety of programs for our students, including internships in politics, government, law or public policy; education abroad; and legislative travel grants.  This scholarship is administered by the College of Arts and Sciences.  For more information and to apply, please see here.

This award recognizes outstanding papers written by undergraduate students majoring in Political Science at UK.  The paper must be the original or revised version of a paper submitted for a course, seminar, or independent study that addresses any political science topic.  In addition to substance, criteria for evaluation are clarity and style of expository prose, analytical sophistication, conceptual innovativeness, logical structure of argumentation, and use of available evidence.

The monetary award will be presented at the Political Science Department's annual dinner in the spring.  The department general awards $250 to the winner and $100 each to two runners-up.  The Undergraduate Program Committee of the Political Science Department will determine the winner(s) of this award.  

To apply for this award, an electronic copy of the paper must be submitted to psawards@uky.edu by March 25.  Please write “Crum Outstanding Undergraduate Paper Award” in the subject line.

This scholarship recognizes excellent students who are majoring in Political Science at UK.  To be eligible for this award, students must be Political Science majors with a minimum of a 3.5 GPA, be sophomores or higher, and take a minimum of three hours of writing courses per year.  The writing requirement will be determined by the committee who determines the award, and is usually fulfilled with at least one 400-level course in Political Science or any other course that requires intensive writing as a grading requirement.  

The monetary award will be presented at the Political Science Department's annual dinner in the spring.  The department generally awards at least one scholarship in the amount of $2400, which will be entered into the student’s account through the Student Financial Aid office for the following annual year (half in the fall, half in the spring).  Additionally, students must agree to the terms in the Scholarship Agreement (available here).  The Undergraduate Program Committee of the Political Science Department will determine the winner(s) of this award.  

To apply for this award, an electronic copy of the application form (available here) must be submitted to psawards@uky.edu by March 25.  Please write “Schwarte Scholarship” in the subject line.

Each spring, the Political Science Department gives the Political Science Alumni Outstanding Senior Award to a Political Science major graduating that academic year.  In addition, two Finalists are selected by the awards committee from among the short list of Semi-Finalists interviewed for the recognition.  The winners are graduating seniors who best exemplify the qualities associated with Political Science Alumni.  In particular, the awards committee typically takes into account original research, academic excellence, political and governmental engagement, leadership, and service.

Nominees must be seniors (at least 90 credit hours completed), have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better, and they must exhibit good moral character and service to the University or to the larger community. They must have graduated or plan to graduate no later than August of the application year.

Students who nominate themselves should submit a resume, and also might wish to submit an optional statement that provides:

• Basic biographical and educational data
• Career goals and plans for the future
• Activity in student organizations; offices held; service to the University of Kentucky or the university community
• Academic, service or other honors won as an undergraduate
• Activities or service in the community (Lexington or your hometown) during the period while an undergraduate
• Employment while an undergraduate
• Other achievements or activities of interest while an undergraduate

The monetary award will be presented at the Political Science Department's annual dinner in the spring.  The department generally awards $250 to the winner and $100 each to two runners-up.  The Undergraduate Program Committee of the Political Science Department will determine the winner(s) of this award.  

To apply for this award, materials should be sent to psawards@uky.edu by March 25.  Please write “PS Outstanding Senior” in the subject line.

This Award honors Prof. Amry Vandenbosch, who chaired the Political Science department from 1935 to 1958, retired from active service in 1965, and passed away in 1990.  This award is presented to undergraduate student(s) who submit essay, video projects, or other scholarly work that best exhibits the importance of constitutional rights and liberties in a democratic society.  Entries will be judged by the Undergraduate Program Committee.  In addition to substance, the criteria for judgment include clarity and style of expository prose, analytical sophistication, conceptual innovativeness, logical structure of argumentation, and use of available evidence.

The monetary award will be presented at the Political Science Department's annual dinner in the spring.  The department generally awards $350 to the winner and $200 each to two runners-up.  The Undergraduate Program Committee of the Political Science Department will determine the winner(s) of this award.  

Students wishing to be considered for this award must submit an electronic copy to psawards@uky.edu by March 25.  Please write “Vandenbosch, constitutional rights” in the subject line.

Established by Alum and former Kentucky Attorney General Chris Gorman, this scholarship supports pre-law students in the Political Science department.  Students must be undergraduates in the college of Arts and Sciences and have a demonstrated interest in pursuing a legal career.  Student must be either a Political Science major or be admitted to the UK BLUE program, and there is a preference for students from Kentucky. 

The scholarship will be presented at the Political Science Department’s annual dinner in the spring.  The department generally awards at least $1000 to one or more scholarship winners.  Unless the student requests otherwise, the full award amount will be entered into the student’s account through the Student Financial Aid office for the following fall term.  The Undergraduate Program Committee of the Political Science Department will determine the winner(s) of this award.

To apply for this award, an electronic copy of the form here must be submitted to psawards@uky.edu by March 25.  Please write “Gorman Scholarship” in the subject line.

Named in honor of Malcolm E. Jewell, who was a Professor of Political Science for 36 years from 1958 to 1994, this scholarship is awarded to one or more undergraduate students who are pursing a BA degree in Political Science.  Students must be Political Science majors, have demonstrated financial need, and have demonstrated academic merit.  While all students have an opportunity to compete for this scholarship, there is a preference for individuals whose academic plan takes advantage of the department’s internship program and who contribute to the Department’s goal of promoting diversity and inclusivity.

The scholarship will be presented at the Political Science Department’s annual dinner in the spring.  The department generally awards a total of $750 to one or more scholarship winners.  Unless the student requests otherwise, the full award amount will be entered into the student’s account through the Student Financial Aid office for the following fall term.  The Undergraduate Program Committee of the Political Science Department will determine the winner(s) of this award. 

To apply for this award, an electronic copy of the form here must be submitted to psawards@uky.edu by March 25.  Please write “Jewell Scholarship” in the subject line.

The Political Science department is strongly committed to assuring that all students can take advantage of opportunities regardless of financial need.  Generous donations for Alumni allow the department to provide support for students who wish to engage in our internship opportunities.  We also have funds to support students who are financially disadvantaged and have specific need for support.  We have neither specific deadlines nor criteria for allocating these funds.  Students who find themselves in need of financial support to stay in school or take advantage of opportunities like internships should contact the department chair, Clayton Thyne, at clayton.thyne@uky.edu. 

Named in honor of Mary Alice Pratt, a tireless worker for peace and justice, this scholarship is awarded to one or more undergraduate students who are enrolling in the Peace Studies Capstone Seminar (PCE 410). The scholarship will help defray the cost of tuition for students that have demonstrated excellence in the Peace Studies Program. Each award will be at least $500. The Director of Peace Studies and at least one member of the Peace Studies Advisory Committee will determine the winner(s) of the award.

To apply for this award, an electronic copy of the form here must be submitted to the Director of Peace Studies, Dr. Jesse C. Johnson, at j.johnson@uky.edu upon enrollment in PCE 410.  Please write, “Pratt Scholarship” in the subject line.