Honors

The Communication Studies Department provides opportunities to expand and enhance your educational experiences through special honors sections of courses designated by the "H" code on MyUI and by offering you opportunities to complete honors projects or assignments.

Based upon your g.p.a. at Iowa and in Communication Studies, you might also be invited to join Lambda Pi Eta, the official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA).

The department also offers financial assistance for student’s travel to undergraduate honors conferences in cases where a student presents a paper.

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Graduating with Honors in Communication Studies

Students majoring in Communication Studies have the opportunity to graduate with honors in the major. Through our GROW in Communication Studies initiative, we have a variety of options for honors in the major.

GROW stands for Global Engagement, Research, Outreach, and Work Experience. Honors students must complete at least two authorized GROW activities and participate in a poster session. Students interested in honors in the major should consult the honors adviser as early as possible in their undergraduate career, and work with a faculty member to supervise their honors projects. They must maintain a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33 and may be required to complete COMM:2899 Honors Thesis, depending on their specific project.

Departmental Honors Program Contact Information

Rachel McLaren
Honors Program Director/Faculty
Office: 153 BCSB
Mailbox: Room 105 BCSB
rachel-mclaren@uiowa.edu

Lambda Pi Eta Communication Studies Honor Society

Lambda Pi Eta is the official honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA).  Each year, students who qualify for membership are invited to join.

Lambda stands for "logic," Pathos (Pi) refers to emotion, and Ethos (Eta) is defined as character credibility and ethics, which guide the members of this honor society.

Goals of Lambda Pi Eta

  • Recognize, foster and reward outstanding scholastic achievement in communication
  • Stimulate interest in the field of communication
  • Promote and encourage professional development among communication majors
  • Provide an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas in the field of communication
  • Establish and maintain closer relationships between faculty and students
  • Explore options for graduate education in communication studies

Induction ceremonies are held annually to mark students' scholarly accomplishments at which time each student receives a personalized induction certificate and a Lambda Pi Eta lapel pin. Students also receive honor cords to wear at graduation ceremonies.

There is a $45* one-time membership fee which covers lifetime membership in Lambda Pi Eta.
* Fee determined by Lambda Pi Eta National Committee and subject to change

University of Iowa Honors Program

In addition to honors in the major, students may pursue honors study and activities through membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program. University honors students must maintain a 3.33 grade point average, complete 12 semester hours of coursework designated as honors courses, and complete 12 s.h. of an experiential learning project.

Visit Honors at Iowa to learn about the University's honors program.

NOTE: Membership in the UI Honors Program is not required to earn honors in the Communication Studies major.